Stay informed and ready during disasters (don’t forget a portable charger, too!)
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Emergencies are often entirely unexpected and life-threatening.
We also recommend keeping a portable phone charger ready to go in case you lose power.
Life360: Family Location Tracker
Easy to use for most ages.
Trigger the SOS button to call family and emergency services.
Free version has limited place alerts.
No roadside assistance for free users.
Location tracking is essential during any emergency, and Life360 is the best way to do it.
It’s one ofour favorite phone tracking appsto monitor the whereabouts of friends and family.
It lets you get alerts when they leave and arrive at the locations that you set up.
Life360 has a free plan with basic features for Android and iOS users.
Anybody can post emergency alerts.
Great for user-driven, local news.
Usefulness is limited in some areas due to lack of use and small populations.
Isn’t primarily an emergency alert or preparedness app.
Often overrun by job offers and requests.
Community is important during an emergency.
Nextdoor is a social online grid for your community that can also serve as an emergency broadcast alert app.
Just be sure to see ourtips on staying safe while using Nextdoor.
It runs on iPhone, iPad, and Android devices.
FEMA: Homeland Security’s Disaster Alert App
Extremely customizable alert types.
Supports English and Spanish.
Includes an emergency shelter finder.
Provides related news stories.
The mobile app from FEMA lets you get real-time alerts concerning all sorts of disasters.
Android and iOS tablets and phones can install this app.
AccuWeather: Alerts for All Weather Types
Tracks lots of threats.
Includes severe weather alerts.
Not all features are free.
Lots of options; can become overwhelming.
Most disasters are weather-related, and AccuWeather is one of the best all-purpose weather apps.
Staying updated on the most recent weather news is also possible with the AccuWeather app.
Android and iOS users can plant the app.
It also works on iPad and smartwatches.
Read in English or Spanish.
Some information is extremely basic and obvious.
The Red Cross First Aid app is one of the best emergency apps for clear health-related instructions.
The hospital list includes easy access to directions, the facility’s phone number, and its website.
First Aid runs on Android and iOS phones and tablets.
Zello: Walkie-Talkie App for Quick Calls and Group Coordination
Ideal for all ages.
Some channels are built specifically for disasters.
Car mode for safe use while driving.
The service is sometimes offline and unreachable.
Too easy to drain your battery.
Hard to find public channels; must know the exact name.
Zello is awalkie-talkie appthat makes staying in contact with individuals and groups of people really easy.
iPhone and Android mobile devices can run Zello.
Although they function similarly, Zello doesn’t serve as apolice scanner app.
GasBuddy: Gas Station Locator
Several filtering options for finding stations.
Find locations that have a phone, food, and other amenities.
Get cheaper gas with rewards.
Gas price updates aren’t live, but rely on the community.
There’s an Android app and one for iPad and iPhone.
