Cellphone companies prepare for two storms, Erika and torrent of selfies

WEST PALM BEACH -- If Tropical Storm Erika holds together and hits Florida, she'll be the most selfied, Snapchatted and Facebooked windstorm in Sunshine State history.

Will cell towers be able to handle the torrent of data? Cellphone providers say they've invested heavily to upgrade their systems since a hurricane last hit the state a decade ago.

Verizon, for instance, spent $135 million on network improvements in Florida in the first half of the year alone.

Veterans of Hurricanes Frances and Wilma remember cell service was spotty during and after the storm. Since then, cellphone operators have beefed up from 3G networks to more robust 4G networks.

They're also making storm plans. AT&T Mobility has "cell on wheels" and "cell on light truck" units, mobile towers that can be moved to areas of heavy data use.

"We can manipulate the network to add more capacity in areas where we think we'll have a lot of traffic," said AT&T Mobility spokeswoman Kelly Starling.

Like everyone who lived through the busy storm seasons of 2004 and 2005, cell providers hardened their systems.

"A lot of our cell sites have permanent generators now," Starling said.

With Tropical Storm Erika expected to reach the region Monday, AT&T Mobility offers these tips for keeping your smartphone working:

Keep your battery charged. If power goes out, you'll need a Plan B. Have an extra battery or car charger.

Keep devices dry. Water is the biggest threat to your device during a hurricane. Store it in a baggie

or another type of protective covering.

Try texting. During an emergency, text messages might go through more quickly than voice calls because they require fewer network resources.

Have a family communications plan. Choose someone out of the area as a central contact. Make sure all family members know who to contact if they get separated. Practice your emergency plan in advance.

Program emergency contact numbers and e-mail addresses into your phone. Numbers should include the police department, fire station and hospital, as well as your family members.

Use your camera phone to document insurance claims. Take photos and video of damage and provide it to your carrier.

Use location-based technology. Services like Navigator and FamilyMap can help you find evacuation routes or avoid traffic from downed trees or power lines. They also can track a family member's wireless device if you get separated.

This story was originally published August 29, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Cellphone companies prepare for two storms, Erika and torrent of selfies ."