Many parts of the U.S. are dealing with unusually high temperatures, storms, fires, and the occasional blackout. With this in mind, we offer seven apps that could make your summer much safer in times of emergency.
Weather Apps
NOAA Hi-Def Radar, Universal (Five stars in App Store)
Currently the No. 1 paid weather app in the App Store, the $1.99 app offers real-time animated weather radar images. Additionally, the NOAA Hi-Def Radar app offers severe weather warning boxes, clickable storm direction arrows with details, and clickable hurricane forecast tracks.
NOAA SuperRes Radar US+, Universal (Five stars)
The only iPhone app that offers Level 2 radar mosaics for the continental U.S., this $2.99 app is said to offer four times the resolution of typical weather radar products. It also includes severe weather warnings from the National Weather Service.
Storm Shield, iPhone (Four stars)
Released in May, the $4.99 app offers critical weather alerts via voice and push notification. Plus, Storm Shield is designed to use as little of your iPhone’s battery as possible since it doesn’t use GPS with the iPhone 4S and iPhone 4.
Note: GPS is used on the iPhone 3GS.
Disaster Guides
SAS Survival Guide, iPhone (Five stars)
Based on the bestselling book, this $5.99 app offers over 400 pages and 16 video guides to keep you safe. Includes a survival checklist, sun compass, extreme climate survival guide, and more. Also available for iPad.
Emergency Radio (Police Scanner), iPhone (4 1/2 stars)
Offering feeds from many of the nation’s police, fire, and EMS organizations, this $0.99 app is a must-have for those looking for timely local emergency news.
Flashlight Apps
Flashlight Ⓞ, iPhone (Five stars)
Advertised as the only flashlight app that comes with a compass, this free app includes a strobe mode and built-in SOS signal.
Flashlight ☀, iPhone (4 1/2 stars)
Also free, this flashlight app includes a strobe/blinking mode and the brightest flashlight available in the App Store.
For a complete rundown of other weather apps, be sure to also check out our two guides, Best iPhone Weather apps and Best iPad Weather apps.
Which apps do you count on in times of emergency?
Note: App Store ratings are valid as the time of this writing.
