Living in West Texas can be a bit scary when it comes to tornado season. Tornado's often strike in the middle of the night while we sleep or with little to no warning. The American Red Cross has just released a new Tornado App that will provide much needed information if you ever have reason to need it.

The Tornado App is a free download for iPhones,iPad and Android smart phones and tablets. It provides real-time information on local weather situations in both English and Spanish.

As I mentioned tornado's often strike in the middle of the night so this app has a siren alarm that will sound when a warning is issued to alert you to severe weather information. It also provides an "all clear" alert to let you know when danger has passed.

Other features of the app include:

• Location-based NOAA tornado, severe thunderstorm and flood watch and warning alerts;
• Enhanced weather maps;
• 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.

The American Red Cross also has similar Apps for other events as well like earthquakes, wildfires and hurricanes.

I have already downloaded this App to my new iPhone and I'm liking what I see. I love the fact that you can make personal settings within the App. I can have it just notify me of tornado's or I can have it let me know when watches and warnings of any kind have been issued. I also like the fact that there is the "I'm safe" messaging system so you can let friends and family know you are alright.

 

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