How to Survive Snowmageddon 2015 Online

Snowmageddon 2015 is upon us! At this moment, the east coast of the United States is in the early stages of a snowstorm that is expected to be one of the greatest of all time, with a forecast of snow accumulation in the New York between 2 and 3 feet. Considering that snowfalls of a foot can bring this region to a standstill, this is clearly going to be quite a disruption.

In this world of always online, always connected communication, how can you avoid being disrupted.

First, you should take whatever steps you can to be able to work at home. Most companies will allow employees to access their company email from home and on their mobile devices. Many companies allow employees to login remotely to their intranet from home using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) or a remote desktop system, but this might require special approval. The important thing is to know what your company allows and get setup. Setup procedures are not intuitive and you may need tech support.

Don’t wait until the flakes are falling!

Second, and this is important for general survival of weather emergency, take whatever steps you can to deal with power outages. Power is the weakest link in staying connected.

• Ideally, you should have a backup gas powered generator. You might this is extravagant if this is just for emergencies, but you can get an inexpensive one for about $100. It seems that power outages in the Northeast are increasing.I have experienced outages of about week 3 times since Hurricane Irene in 2011. That is three more than I had ever experienced in my entire life!
• A car charger will come in handy for recharging your cell phone and laptop.
• Keep a supply of batteries for radios, flashlights and lanterns. When I was out of power after hurricane sandy, a battery powered  lantern was great. I couldn’t have worked on my laptop without.

Most of all, keep your perspective and make safety your first priority. If you have work at the office that you think just has to get done,  ask yourself if it is worth the safety risks before heading off in your car or staying late while snow piles up. If you rely on mass transit, consider that if you get to work you may have to sleep at work because you could be stranded there.

As you endure the trials and tribulations of mother nature, remember this motto: “Remain Calm and Rely on Comodo.”