Want to know why cell networks got clogged and choked during the earthquake? A one minute phone call is 460,800% larger than a single text. So with our next natural disaster this week, use SMS. For everyone's sake.
Simple math: its 720 KB for a minute of calling, and 0.15625 KB for a text.
MAJOR CAVEAT: if you're experiencing an emergency, absolutely use a telephone to get in touch with the appropriate authorities. But those "omg can you believe it's raining?" thoughts floating in your head? Try transcribing them instead of talking them out.