On Dec. 25, 2020, an RV laden with explosives detonated in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. The explosion damaged dozens of buildings, injured eight people, and disrupted communication lines in several states within seconds. On social media, thousands of people attempted to get in touch with loved ones:
“I am in the Nashville area and could not reach my adult daughters all weekend because they have AT&T.”
“My friend in Clarksville, Tennessee says their calls still aren’t really going through and neither are texts.”
“911 was out in places all over the state, including Knoxville because of this.”
In a world where communication and information can be accessed in an instant, an event like this reminds us just how fragile these systems are. In the event of a natural disaster, a long-term power outage, or a similar crisis, how can you stay in touch with your family and friends?…