Virginia Offers New App to Prepare for and Monitor Disasters

The Virginia Department of Emergency Management is offering Virginians a new mobile “disaster app” as a way to prepare for disasters and to stay informed during emergencies.

“Mobile phones and tablets quickly have become a primary way for people to stay informed during disasters,” said Gov. Bob McDonnell in a statement. “Last year, social media and web-based information were critical to informing the public and keeping individuals updated with important information during the severe derecho wind storm and Hurricane Sandy.”

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The free app for iPhone and Android devices provides emergency planning and preparedness guidance along with:

• Location-specific weather watches and warnings as well as flood information issued by the National Weather Service
• Disaster news from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management
• Maps with open American Red Cross shelters, hurricane evacuation routes, hurricane storm surge zones and stream gauges
• A template for creating a customized family emergency plan that can be easily shared
• Local emergency manager contact information
• Links to register for local emergency alerts

The Ready Virginia app is available for download in the App Store and in Google Play for Android.

In addition to the mobile app, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management launched a mobile version of its website at m.vaemergency.gov.  The mobile site contains all the information available on VDEM’s regular website, but with easier navigation for those who use smart phones and tablets to access websites.