|
Darke
County Red Cross
New
Tornado App from
American Red Cross
Audio alert feature can
help save lives when users can’t monitor the weather
Darke
County, March 4, 2013
— The American Red Cross has launched its official Tornado App, putting
lifesaving information right in the hands of people who live in, visit
or have
loved ones in tornado-prone areas.
This
free app—available in
English or Spanish—gives iPhone, iPad and Android smart phone and
tablet users
instant access to local and real-time information, so they know what to
do
before, during and after a tornado. The app includes a high-pitched
siren and
“tornado warning!” alert that signals people when a NOAA tornado
warning has
been issued in their area – even if the app is closed. An “all clear!”
alert
lets users know when a tornado warning has expired or has been
cancelled.
“Tornadoes often happen in the overnight hours when people are
sleeping,” said
Lynne Gump, Executive Director, Darke County Chapter. “The audible
alerts in
this app can save lives - even if users can’t monitor the weather
because they
are away from radio, TV or in places where weather band radios may not
work.”
Other
features of the app
include:
• Location-based
NOAA tornado, severe
thunderstorm and flood watch and warning alerts;
• Enhanced
weather maps and information
provided by Weather Underground, a digital brand of The Weather Company;
• One-touch
“I’m safe” messaging that allows
users to broadcast reassurance to family and friends that they are out
of
harm’s way;
• Simple
steps and checklists people can use
to create an emergency plan and share it with household members;
• Preloaded
content that gives users instant
access to critical action steps, even without mobile connectivity;
• Toolkit
with flashlight, strobe light and
audible alarm;
• Locations
of open Red Cross shelters; and
• Badges
users can earn through interactive
quizzes and share on social networks.
Launched
during National
Severe Weather Preparedness Week, the Tornado App is the latest in a
series of
mobile apps created by the Red Cross, the nation’s leader in emergency
preparedness. The apps have been used to help save lives during
hurricanes,
earthquakes and wildfires.
“The
Red Cross has made
great strides in putting vital information in the hands of people who
need it
during emergencies. In fact, our apps are now on more than two million
mobile
devices across the country,” added Gump
Mobile
activity soared due
to Superstorm Sandy:
• More
than 400,000 people downloaded the Red
Cross Hurricane App;
• Nearly
6 million NOAA weather alerts were
sent;
• Preparedness
content was the most popular
feature of the app followed by alerts and the shelter locator;
• The
average time spent using the app increased
300 percent; and
• The
app had 15 million page views.
Right
after the storm, the
Hurricane App was updated with real-time recovery information including
Red
Cross shelter and feeding sites, FEMA sites, open gas stations and
warming
centers to help those affected by the storm.
The
Tornado App, along with
the others, can be found in the Apple App Store and the Google Play
Store for
Android by searching for American Red Cross or by going to
redcross.org/mobileapps. Apps can help prepare people for disasters,
but they
are not a substitute for training. Red Cross First Aid and CPR/AED
training
empowers people to know how to respond to emergencies in case advanced
medical
help is delayed. People can visit redcross.org/takeaclass for course
information
and to register.
The
Red Cross responds to
nearly 70,000 disasters each year and we help people get ready to
respond to
emergencies by providing these apps for free. The Red Cross needs the
help of
the public to continue this lifesaving effort. People can make a
donation to
the Red Cross by going to redcross.org, texting REDCROSS to 90999 or by
calling
1-800-REDCROSS.
About
the American Red
Cross:
The
American Red Cross
shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters;
supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that
save
lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military
members
and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that
depends
on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its
mission.
For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at
blog.redcross.org.
|
