10 Apps to Help You Prepare for Hurricane Season and Other Big Storms
Prepare for the next hurricane season with help from a few key apps. These downloads simplify the process of readying your home and family for possible storms. They’ll be a valuable part of your stormproofing routine and help you stay safe and informed.
1. Rely On Weather Apps
Keep a close eye on any developing storms. Apps help you stay up-to-date on large hurricanes and pop-up showers alike.
My Hurricane Tracker & Alerts
Under theHurricanestab, any active storms detected appear on the home screen. Tap the map to view each storm’s wind speeds, category, and location.
TheTornadoestab, meanwhile, reports any recent possible tornadic activity. Maps display the location and time of reported touchdowns, as well as the distance from your location.
In addition, review historical data on thePastscreen, which covers weather reports back to the year 1851. TheForecastsscreen, meanwhile, provides outlook data for any pending storms. As one of thebest free weather appsavailable now, My Hurricane Tracker is an essential download for anyone who lives in areas susceptible to these storms.
Download:My Hurricane Tracker foriOS|Android(Free)
National Hurricane Center Data
The National Hurricane Center Data app also provides a tremendous amount of information about any oncoming storms. Its satellite data in particular is quite detailed.
View any pending storms in the Atlantic, Central Pacific, or Pacific regions on theForecastscreen. TheSatellitescreen, meanwhile, provides up-to-date information from NOAA. When you need to keep a close eye on the next storm, the National Hurricane Center Data delivers the latest data on this no-frills app.
Download:National Hurricane Center Data foriOS(Free, subscription available)
Clime: NOAA Weather Radar & Alerts
Get access to super local forecasts, as well as a Hurricane Tracker map overlay, with the Clime app. With 14-day forecasts and a precipitation chart that updates by the minute, this app offers a tremendous amount of weather data.
In addition, the Hurricane Tracker option displays information about both forecasted and active storms. Keep track of wind speed, ground speed, direction, and more up-to-date data.
Whether you’re monitoring an oncoming hurricane or keeping an eye out for weekend showers, the Clime app provides an impressive amount of information. It’s enough data to keep even the most devoted amateur meteorologist happy.
Download:Clime: NOAA Weather Radar & Alerts foriOS|Android(Subscription required, free trial available)
2. Keep Track of Gasoline and Charging Stations
Fill up your car in advance of any storm, and keep a supply of gas on hand for generators. These apps are also handy for finding gas and charging stations along the way in the event of an evacuation.
As one of thebest apps to help you find cheap gas, GasBuddy lets you sort through nearby gas stations based on price and location. With up-to-date prices, it’s easier to save a bit of cash the next time you fill up.
Download:GasBuddy foriOS|Android(Free)
ChargePoint
Find a place to charge your electric vehicle with ChargePoint’s giant, interactive map. Tap any location to learn more about popular usage times, estimated prices, and kW output. This is especially helpful if you’re passing through one of theUS states that are not electric vehicle-friendly, due to their general lack of available charging stations.
Download:ChargePoint foriOS|Android(Free)
3. Keep Supplies Stocked Up
Make sure you have enough food, medical supplies, batteries, and more well in advance of any oncoming storms. Inventory apps make it simple to keep up with what you already have on hand, as well as what you need to repurchase.
Portable Inventory
Keep track of everything you have on hand for hurricane preparedness with the Portable Inventory app. (It’s also helpful for managing your household in general).
Create a named list, then tap thePlusbutton in the upper right-hand corner. List your item, then the number you have on hand.
Tap the item listing to reduce your inventory by one, or tap theellipsesin the item’s upper right-hand corner to add more items. For the most part, the Portable Inventory app makes it easier to keep track of anything you might need during and after a big storm.
Download:Portable Inventory foriOS|Android(Free, in-app purchases available)
4. Make a Record of Belongings
In the event of any damage to your home, a record of your belongings is crucial for insurance purposes. The NAIC Home Inventory app walks you through the process of cataloging your home.
NAIC Home Inventory
The Inventory screen includes sections for every room of your home. Take photos, note the time of purchase, and include the purchase price.
There’s also aPreparednesssection with articles about understanding home insurance, as well as common questions about storm damage. Hopefully, you’ll never need to use these records, but in the event of severe storm damage, the NAIC Home Inventory app can help make the rebuilding process much easier.
Download:NAIC Home Inventory foriOS|Android(Free)
5. Keep Track of Your Medications
Make sure your prescriptions are up-to-date, and try to keep refills on hand. These apps can help you stay on top of your medications.
Medisafe Medication
Create a quick profile, then add your medications. Include information about the dosage, the condition the medications are treating, and how often you take it.
You can also set up reminders to take your medications within the app. Optional refill reminders keep up with the number of doses you have left, giving you plenty of time to get the next prescription filled.
Download:Medisafe Medication foriOS|Android(Free, subscription available)
6. Make Plans for Your Pets
If you need to evacuate, some shelters or hotels may require proof of your pet’s up-to-date vaccination records. Boarding facilities will also need this information.
Great Pet Care
Keep copies of all your pet’s medical information in one space with the Great Pet Care app. Take photos of your pet’s medical records or add your veterinary office and request documents from them directly.
Create a specific profile for each of your pets, and make notes about their dietary and medical needs. Lastly, theRemindersscreen prompts you to give flea and heartworm medication, feed them on a schedule, or make sure they get regular exercise.
Download:Great Pet Care foriOS|Android(Free)
Check for pet-friendly hotels and other rental properties to prepare for a potential evacuation. The simple search screen lets you choose dates, the number of people, and the number of pets you have.
Listings for each rental note whether you’ll have to pay a pet fee, as well as whether the properties permit large dogs and cats. You can tell at a glance whether each listing is suitable for your own pet.
Download:BringFido foriOS|Android(Free)
Prepare for Hurricanes and Other Big Storms With These Helpful Apps
Facing an oncoming storm creates a stressful situation, but these apps can help you organize, research, and prepare for a variety of scenarios. Keep your home and family safe with these handy mobile downloads.
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