App Puts Hurricane Preparedness at Your Fingertips

Whether you have an iPhone or Android, the American Red Cross wants to make it easy for you to be prepared for hurricanes.

And if you're in Tampa for the 2012 Republican National Convention, this might give you a few pointers to make sure Isaac does not put a dent in your experience.

The American Red Cross announced recently that its new "Hurricane App" is available for free download in both the iPhone App Store and the Google Play Store for Androids — simply by searching American Red Cross. You can also get the app by dialing **redcross from your mobile phone to generate a text message with a download link.

“This app gives you important information and tools to use before, during and after the storm,” said Mario Bruno, CEO of the American Red Cross Connecticut and Rhode Island Region. “With hurricane season heating up, this is a great time to download our free app to check your readiness and add one more tool to your home preparedness kit.”

The app features important safety information, real-time hurricane tracking and tools to let loved ones and friends know that you’re safe and well.

DC Alerts and Other Local Resources

Apps too complicated for you (or your phone)? Can you handle text messages or email? You can sign up for DC Alerts online and have them sent to your email, cell phone, pager, BlackBerry or wireless PDA.

The DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA) encourages families to talk about and develop their own emergency plan whether it is a hurricane, , fire or other emergency situation. The agncy offers suggested topics and information you will want to discuss as a family.

HSEMA also has several lists with instructions on what to include in an emergency kit and first aid kit.

Hurricane Season's Peak

According to the National Weather Service, the Atlantic hurricane season peaks in August and extends through September. It was the end of August last year when .

On Aug. 9, the NWS' Climate Prediction Center released its revised outlook for the 2012 Atlantic Hurricane Season. That reads, in part:

We estimate a 70 percent probability for each of the following ranges of activity for the entire 2012 Atlantic hurricane season:

• 12-17 Named Storms,
• 5-8 Hurricanes
• 2-3 Major Hurricanes
• An Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) range of 75 percent - 135 percent of the median.