WebsiteCompass 15 Free Apps to Download Before You Need Them During extreme weather, you may not have Wi-Fi or cellular service to download apps. So do it in advance—and familiarize yourself with the apps—so they’ll be ready to use when needed. The American Red Cross offers numerous apps, including First Aid and Pet First Aid as well as a general Emergency app that lets you customize 40 different weather alerts like Earthquake, Hurricane, and Tornado, along with advice, checklists, educational quizzes, and a shelter finder. The Disaster Alert app from the Pacific Disaster Center (PDC) in Kihei, Hawaii, offers a real-time map that shows active or impending incidents deemed “potentially hazardous to people, property, or assets.” These include drought, earthquakes, extreme temperature, floods, forest fires, severe storms, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. TheWatch Duty app from a nonprofit of the same name offers a real-time wildfire map and alerts and includes information about prescribed burns so you’ll know what’s causing that smoke in the distance. The service, which depends on the contributions of more than 150 volunteers, covers 13 Western states in the continental U.S. plus Hawaii. Emergency Communications Tips From the FCC and FEMA The FCC and the Federal Emergency Management Agency offer the following tips for communicating during an emergency, including how to prepare for a power outage Charge your family’s cell phones, laptops, and tablet if a storm is coming. Also consider keeping extra batteries, a solar charger, and/or a car charger on hand. In the event of a power outage, you may be able to connect to the internet using secure Wi-Fi, if it is available nearby. You may also be able to use your charged laptop or tablet to recharge your cell phone by connecting the devices with a USB cable, though doing so may drain your computer’s battery power. Be prepared to monitor news and emergency broadcasts during power outages. Consider a battery-powered radio or portable television to check news broadcasts for emergency information during power outages. Make sure you have charged or fresh batteries if needed. You can also purchase a solar-powered or hand-cranked radio. Sign up to receive alerts and warnings to your phone or mobile device. These may be available from your local government, school, and/or workplace. They can augment the Wireless Emergency Alerts you receive over your mobile phone and the Emergency Alert System that takes place over television and radio. Create an“In Case of Emergency” contact on your wireless phone. Store at least one emergency contact under the name “In Case of Emergency” or “ICE” for all mobile phones and devices. This will help someone identify your emergency contact if needed. Enter household and emergency contact information into all household members’ mobile phones or devices. Writedown important phone numbers. Keep the phone numbers handy for emergency services, utilities, service providers, medical providers, veterinarians, insurance companies, and other services. Create a family emergency communication plan. Consider these questions: What if something happens and I’m not with my family? Will I be able to reach them? How will I know they’re safe? During a disaster, you’ll need to send and receive information from your family. Go to Ready.gov for a detailed guide on how to collect information, share your plan, and practice carrying it out.
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