Storms, tornadoes, floods and other potentially dangerous natural phenomenon might come for this season in the United States. In order to protect families in the Midwest of the United States, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has created a phone application to asset families to survive in case of an emergency.

In this FEMA app, families are able to find guidelines on how to get ready for natural disasters. It includes information about planning emergency meeting locations and how to stay safe during a disaster as well as a guide for recovering after the event. Also, it contains a checklist for emergency kits.

The new app brought by FEMA is focused on helping people if they encounter themselves in a disaster emergency or any distress situation, Image Credit: Ready Marin
The new app brought by FEMA is focused on helping people if they encounter themselves in a disaster emergency or any distress situation, Image Credit: Ready Marin

FEMA is also organizing conversation through social media to talk with the communities affected by natural disasters.  With this new app, users can post disaster photos on the FEMA website, they say this feature would be useful for the public and also for first responders. The pictures should be geo-tagged and moderate.

FEMA Region VII administrator Beth Freeman, in a news release, said  that people represent the firsthand resource because the public reports at real time through tweets or from other social media like Flickr.

“Rather than waiting for that to come up, they would be doing that in the app that will allow it to be shared with other first responders” he added.

He also states that this app will not replace FEMA’s existing services but it is a way for the agency to asset more quickly in case of an emergency. This app also represents a tool to inform people during the times of a disaster event.

Federal Disaster Declaration extends to two more counties

The Federal Disaster Declaration extends to Fayette, Clay, Roane, and summers, Monroe, Webster and Pocahontas after Gov. Earl Ray Tumblin submitted a request to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Also Kanawha, Greenbrier and Nicholas counties were added to the list last Saturday.

The residents of these counties can count on access to FEMA individual assistance, emergency medical support, and housing when needed.
Gov. Tomblin said that the extension of the federal declaration to these additional counties will allow West Virginians in the most impacted communities to  get  access to an immediate  and needed assistance.

Governor Tomblin also expressed being deeply grateful to the agency for the National Guard and local emergency responders’ efforts. He also appreciates the congregational delegation support.

People interesting in volunteering or donating clothes and food to people in need in West Virginia can click here or contact with local agencies.

Source: Globe Gazette