When The Signal Goes Silent: Why Backup Communication Matters

February 14, 2026

As extreme weather becomes more unpredictable, one of the first systems to fail is often the one we rely on most: communication. This story looks at what happens when cell towers go dark, why waiting to figure things out in the moment can be dangerous and how simple backup plans can make a critical difference.

Guests:

Joe Bassett, survival expert, co-author, Emergency Communication 101
Polly Hansen, producer, Viewpoints Radio, Asheville resident.

Hansen and her husband live in Asheville, North Carolina, where hurricane Helene in 2024 left much of the region without power, clean water, or reliable communication for months.

Operating a ham radio does require a license, which exists to make sure users understand basic radio rules and how to communicate safely without interfering with other emergency signals. Once you get past that initial learning curve, Bassett says the system is far more accessible than most people expect.