These devices provide direct attached storage that can be used to save user content, such as in a backup, to move content from place to place faster than a network allows or even for expanding the useful storage capacity for some common household devices such as some set top boxes or DVRs.

FORBES: Making Connections at the 2012 CES

But the report also suggests some on-the-ground steps, including getting more mobile fuel facilities, deploying city staffers faster to work with community groups on relief operations and working with companies to extend cellphone towers' backup power.

WSJ: New report: NYC should buy more police boats