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Dane County Emergency Management

Smart Phone Emergency Alerts (Apps)

Smart phone technology offers great opportunities and sources for emergency information. In addition to the Wireless Emergency Alert feature, smart phone users have access to a wide variety of apps and mobile messaging sources.

Weather Warning Apps

There is a wide variety of weather and severe weather warning apps available. These apps are revolutionizing the way people get emergency and potentially life-saving information about severe weather. A weather warning app is as mobile as you are and will alert you to changing conditions no matter where you are (as long as you have a signal).

We can’t endorse specific products, and we also can’t possibly list them all. The best app for you will depend on your preferences, however, there are some basic features to look for:

  • Visual and full text display of National Weather Service alerts
  • Severe weather alerts for your current location as well as saved favorites
  • Real-time, animated radar
  • Interactive maps with National Weather Service alerts
  • Unique, user-selectable alert notification (tone, vibration, light)
  • User-selectable notifications based on severity
  • Local forecast features
  • Inexpensive or free

Apps are available for iPhones, Android phones, and Blackberry devices. A search for “Weather Warning App” will give a you a good place to start.

The American Red Cross has an app available through the Apple App Store or Google Play that will provide safety tools, tips, and instructions in addition to delivering Tornado Warning notifications.