HazardNow icon

HazardNow

Real-time situational awareness

Live situational awareness

Check current conditions on the live dashboard

Use this planning tool, then scan the live HazardNow dashboard for current alerts, weather, power, air quality, transportation, and infrastructure signals.

Open Live DashboardWhat HazardNow tracks

Remote-Work Outage Backup Planner

Step 1 — How long do you need to stay connected?
Step 2 — What do you need to keep running?

Commonly around 8–20 W. Planning placeholder only; verify labels/adapters/smart plugs/specs.

Commonly around 5–15 W. Planning placeholder only; verify labels/adapters/smart plugs/specs.

Commonly around 20–80 W depending on use. Planning placeholder only; verify labels/adapters/smart plugs/specs.

Step 3 — What backup power do you have?
Step 4 — What is your backup connection?

Prioritized backup plan

  1. Save work and reduce power draw.
  2. Power essential communications first: modem/ONT/gateway/router.
  3. Avoid powering monitors, desktop PCs, printers, speakers, and optional devices unless you have enough capacity.
  4. Use laptop internal battery before draining UPS/power station where practical.
  5. Reduce video calls to audio or messaging to preserve power and bandwidth.
  6. Keep phone charged and preserve battery.
  7. Switch to hotspot if home internet fails.
  8. Relocate early if work-critical needs exceed estimated runtime.
  9. Test hotspot before an outage and keep the phone/hotspot charged.

What could still fail?

  • Your router may run, but ISP equipment upstream may lose power.
  • Cable, fiber, or neighborhood equipment may fail during wider outages.
  • Cellular towers may be congested, damaged, or running on limited backup.
  • UPS batteries degrade with age.
  • Power banks may not power routers unless voltage and cable compatibility are correct.
  • Video calls and external monitors can increase power draw.

Safety notes

  • Never use a generator, gasoline engine, grill, camp stove, or vehicle inside enclosed areas.
  • Keep generators outdoors and away from windows, doors, and vents.
  • Use working carbon monoxide alarms.
  • Do not connect a generator to home wiring without proper transfer equipment installed by a qualified electrician.
  • Follow manufacturer instructions for UPS units, power stations, inverters, and charging equipment.

Related HazardNow resources

/dashboard/what-it-tracks/data-sources/learn

Sources

More HazardNow tools

Practical planning helpers

Explore the rest of the standalone emergency planning tools. They are informational only and do not replace official alerts or instructions.

View all tools

Flood Safety

Flooded Road Risk

Check why flooded roads are dangerous and get a conservative do-not-cross risk explanation based on depth, visibility, current, vehicle type, and official warnings.

Severe Weather

Tornado Safe Place

Rank the safest available shelter options during a tornado watch or warning based on building type, floor level, rooms, windows, and mobility needs.

Power & Household Safety

Power Outage Triage

Prioritize food safety, medical needs, temperature risk, generator safety, communications, and backup-power decisions during an outage.

Wildfire & Air Quality

Smoke Clean-Room

Plan a cleaner-air room during wildfire smoke using AQI or PM2.5, room size, purifier CADR, DIY filter options, HVAC recirculation, and mask availability.

Evacuation Planning

Evacuation Prioritizer

Generate a prioritized evacuation action list based on whether you have 5, 15, 30, 60, or more minutes, with life safety and official instructions first.

Weather Alerts

Alert Decoder

Translate common watches, warnings, advisories, emergencies, and weather statements into plain-English meaning, urgency, and next actions.