Every time there’s an emergency, I’m surprised by the number of people who head to social media for assistance. With both Mother Nature and man-made disasters happening all over the U.S., help is needed, but crowdsourced assistance isn’t the quickest and most reliable way. Now there’s a free smartphone app developed by FEMA that’s designed to support you before, during, and after disasters.
Creating a smartphone app that helps you before, during and after an emergency makes sense. We’re using smartphones for breaking news and alerts so combining emergency alerts just smartphones for breaking news and alerts so combining emergency alerts just makes sense. Having one app that combines planning, tracking, information on shelters, and how to apply for disaster relief just makes sense.
Download this new app now and use the planning features to set-up your emergency kit with their simple check-list plus add your own necessities. Then set a reminder to check your kit every six months to make sure it’s ready to go. You can also set reminders to check your smoke detectors monthly as well as change their batteries every six months.
You can also create severe weather alerts via the National Weather Service for up to five locations so you’ll know if you family in Texas is dealing with flooding while you’re enjoying sunny days in Seattle. Add your travel destination to your alerts to be sent severe weather alerts near you as well as driving directions to disaster assistance shelters and disaster recovery centers ( Maps of Disaster Resources) plus tips on what to avoid during an emergency in an area you’re not familiar with.
You can also opt in to be sent safety tips to help you keep your family safe during 20 different types of hazards including floods, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes.
The service is available in both English and Spanish. While I hope you never need it, it’s comforting to know it’s there. I’ve gotta run; I just got the alert that it’s time to check my emergency supply kit. Have you checked yours?
The latest version of the FEMA app is available for free in the App Store for Apple devices and Google Play for Android devices. For more information visit https://www.fema.gov/mobile-
EMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from and mitigate all hazards.
I had no idea FEMA had an app. My friend works for them on the govt assistance side, it sad when national weather disasters happen but hopefully this app can be helpful if anyone is effected.
Sounds like a really useful app, especially when you are not always updated with the latest news on tv like I am. Thanks for the great info about this FEMA app!
I love staying up to date on emergencies because I am not always tethered to my TV. I think these apps are really useful!
Thank you so much for sharing this app! I’m having everyone in my family download it right now–this is the kind of information we all need at our fingertips!
This is an app everyone should have on their phone. I will have to download it right away. This is something to share with my friends for sure.
Awesome! I think this is really a must have! Can’t wait to have it on my phone!
I am going to download this right now. You really never know when there will be an emergency and its great to be prepared when the unexpected could happen.
Living in an area that’s prone to severe weather, this app is perfect! I’m going to download it, and have my husband download it too!
This sounds like a great app. I know Floridians should consider it.
This sounds like a great app. It’s important to stay safe during an emergency!
That’s wonderful that there is a FEMA smartphone app, I am sure this will come in very handy for many of us. Glad you shared the details!
What an awesome app this is. I think everyone needs to go download this.
That sounds like an awesome app. You never know when disaster can hit, so an app like this could really be helpful.