August 2, 2012

With hurricane season in full swing, the American Red Cross just made it a little easier for residents to prepare.

The official hurricane app is putting lifesaving information right in the hands of smart phone users.

Chief Chris Jones with Thomas County Fire-Rescue said, "You're getting real-time information, and that's a valuable tool."

Here's how it works: the app offers step-by-step directions on what to do before, during, and after a hurricane.

It also allows users to personalize weather alerts in locations where their loved ones may reside and to share that information with others in their social networks.

Thomasville residents say it's an app worth downloading.

"It'd probably be a good idea, because I don't really know much about what you'd do in that situation," said Thomasville resident Jenna Odom.

"People are very lazy, they don't really watch the news anymore, they just use their cell phones to find out what they want," added Meredith Attaway. "It's all social media now, so this is a good thing."

The hurricane app also lists locations of open Red Cross shelters, as well as checklists people can follow to create an emergency plan.

Chris Jones
"Having a tool like that, as you're traveling, or in an evacuation scenario, that's a very useful tool to get out timely information," said Jones.

The app is free and available for IPhones and Andriods.