5 Ways Your Mobile Phone Can Help During a Hurricane
Hurricane season in can be a stressful time, especially when these storms have a variety of projected paths and it’s tough to tell which direction it’s headed. Our best advice is to prepare for the worst and keep up with the current path of the storm. Here are some great uses for your mobile phones during a Hurricane:
1. Set up emergency alerts
You can receive notifications about threats in your area by signing up for Wireless Emergency Alerts. To sign up, find your phone on this list and follow the instructions.
2. Keep up with weather updates
Download the MyRadar app which generates weather maps for your area using Doppler radar. You can also get local forecasts, radar and current weather conditions from The Weather Channel app. Another great option is The Red Cross Hurricane Tracker app, which lets you monitor conditions, get assistance and communicate with loved ones.
3. Use your phone as a backup flashlight
As many of you may already know, your smartphone can be used as a flashlight. This can come in handy if the power goes out before you can find a flashlight, or if your flashlight runs out of batteries.
4. Your phone can be a first aid resource
If someone is injured during a storm, a first aid app can offer help. First Aid by American Red Cross provides info about what to do in a variety of emergency situations.
5. Escape plan
The FEMA app lets you save a list of places for your family to meet in the case of an evacuation. It also provides alerts, safety tips and has maps that show disaster resources.
With all of the valuable uses for your mobile phone, it’s important to remember that your phone’s battery is limited. Conserve your phone’s battery so it’s charged when you really need it, or, invest in a portable power bank (Visit this link to see the many options available on Amazon.com).