Online Help in the Face of Diaster

There are lots of websites and mobile apps you should have ready before you are in the path of a storm or running from an army of brain-eating zombies. This time of year reminds us to get prepared for the unexpected. Hurricanes, Earth quakes, and even zombie apocalypses have online resources that can help in the face of disaster.

FEMA and other organizations have gone online and mobile. This is encouraging since many times cell, text, email, and the Internet often stay online during catastrophes.

Here are some helpful links and mobile apps:

FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) Website
http://www.fema.gov/
The FEMA website is actually pretty good, especially for a government website.

Weather Radio SmartPhone App
The iMap Weather Radio has an app for your Smartphone or tablet that alerts you of life-threatening weather information.
http://biologyoftechnology.com/2011/05/weather-radio-smartphone-app/

Are You Ready?
http://www.ready.gov/
A FEMA webpage with a checklist to help you get ready for disaster.

FEMA Mobile Website
http://m.fema.gov/
Bookmark this FEMA mobile website on your SmartPhone.

FEMA App
http://apps.usa.gov/fema-mobile/
A free mobile app for Android-based devices so people can keep track of preparations that will help them better ride out a disaster. iPhone and Blackberry apps will soon be released (according to FEMA).

American Red Cross Shelter App
http://redcrosschat.org/2011/02/22/theres-an-app-for-that-shelter-view/
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/american-red-cross-shelter/id419258261
Official Red Cross iPhone app that’s free and directs you to shelters in your area that can provide assistance.

FEMA Text Messages
Get helpful text messages from FEMA:

• Text PREPARE to 43362 (4FEMA) to sign up for monthly disaster safety tips
• Text SHELTER+ your ZIP code to the same number to find the nearest shelter in your respective areas
• Text DRC and your ZIP code to the same number for information about the nearest disaster recovery center.

Click here for more on the FEMA text message service:
http://www.fireengineering.com/articles/2011/08/fema-new-tools-text-messages.html

FEMA Blog, Facebook , Twitter, and YouTube channel
http://blog.fema.gov/
http://www.facebook.com/FEMA
http://twitter.com/fema
http://www.youtube.com/user/FEMA

Zombie Apocalypse Survival Guide
The CDC has actually published a Zombie Apocalypse Survival Guide. This tongue-and-cheek web post got a lot of attention and has some good emergency info.
http://biologyoftechnology.com/2011/05/cdc-zombie-apocalypse-survival-guide-for-real/

The more you are prepared the better your chances of weathering the storm!