Must-have Emergency Apps: Be Prepared for Severe Weather

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From hurricanes and flooding to drought and frigid temperatures, the United States experiences more types of extreme weather than any other country in the world.

It is never too early to prepare for potentially dangerous weather conditions, and now one of the most essential tools for weather-related preparation and safety is your smartphone. These emergency #musthaveapps offer tips, guides and alerts to help you with preparation before poor weather arrives at your location.

  • The iMap Weather Radio app allows you to receive voice or push alerts around the clock when potentially life-threatening weather approaches your location. The “Follow Me” feature is critical if you are traveling, as it will alert you if you approach an area with a severe weather watch/warning while on the road. You can also access radar, forecasts and video from weather stations for up-to-the-minute information.

  • iTriage Health is a mobile app that can be used in situations where weather affects a person’s health, such as hypothermia. The symptom checker feature allows you to get to the root of a health emergency (it even works for diagnosing anything from the common cold to allergies in non-emergency situations). A list of recommendations of local health providers is made available with the extensive directory, and it even allows you or your providers to access vital medical information and history.

  • The Winter Survival Kit app will help you keep safe during poor driving conditions by storing vehicle information, emergency numbers and personal contacts. Before temperatures drop below zero, review the checklist of cold-weather car maintenance tips or discover essential items to pack in an emergency travel kit. If you become stranded, an emergency panic button is able to send your location to emergency responders.

  • The wikiHow app is not just for emergencies, but it certainly has tips to help in the event that you are in one. In the “First Aid and Emergencies” category, you can reference guides for cleaning wounds of varying severity, treating shock or even finding water in an emergency.

Whether you are traveling or at home during life-threatening weather emergencies, remember it never hurts to be overly prepared. Mobile apps are a convenient way to access safety guides, emergency plans and critical information when faced with an emergency.

Do you have a favorite weather or emergency-related app? Tell us about it on Twitter at @VZWNews.

Data usage applies for app download and use.

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This piece is part of Verizon Wireless' #PowerfulTech series. Share your thought, tips and comments on Twitter using the hashtag #PowerfulTech.

Also, check out these stories from earlier in the series:

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