Mashable has a great roundup of preparations by mobile carriers as Hurricane Irene continues to slam the northeastern United States. Obviously, during a natural disaster (like last week’s earthquake in Washington D.C.), hurricane or any other major event, cell phone service is much more likely to be disrupted.

AT&T:

• AT&T FamilyMap and AT&T Navigator can be used to provide evacuation routes and track family members’ mobile devices in case of separation.
• Capacity is added to wireless networks to accommodate increased volume.
• Backup generators are stored in safe locations for immediate use following the storm.

Sprint:

• Portable generators are prepared near network towers and switches.
• Resources are waiting outside of Washington, D.C. to aid first responders and public safety officials.
• 25,000 fully charged Sprint and Nextel Direct Connect phones are available for rent during disaster events.

T-Mobile:

• Portable, fueled backup generators are ready to be deployed.
• Engineers are on-call with repair equipment along the seaboard.
• Cells-On-Wheels are prepared to provide wireless connections in the worst hit areas.

Verizon:

• Central network offices have backup generators to ensure land lines operate when power goes out.
• Trucks and emergency equipment is being removed from low lying areas.
• Emergency relief kits are prepared to ease power restoration.