Politics

NC launches app for weather, traffic, disaster aid

By Bill Moss, Published: January 17, 2014

Gov. Pat McCrory and the state's public safety director announced the launch of a new smart phone app that contains real-time traffic and weather information, information on hazardous events and storms, phone numbers and links to all North Carolina power companies to report outages and links to websites for those who need help recovering from a disaster.

Here's a news release about it from the governor's office:
Gov. Pat McCrory and Public Safety Secretary Frank L. Perry announced the launch of a new mobile application today that will help North Carolinians prepare for everything from minor traffic emergencies to severe storms on a daily basis.
The app is free and available now in the AppStore for iPhones and Google Play for Android devices.

"The ReadyNC mobile application is an all-in-one tool that both residents and visitors can use to get the latest weather, traffic and hazard information and know what to do to be safe," said Governor McCrory. "None of us can predict when the next disaster will occur, but we can minimize the impacts by preparing ahead of time."

Governor McCrory stresses the new mobile app does not replace calling 911. However, it can be used to find life-saving information.

The new app provides users with:
• real-time traffic and weather information
• critical information on how to be safe during different hazardous events
• real-time information about opened shelters for evacuees (including addresses, capacity, directions and if the shelter is pet-friendly)
• real-time updates on flood levels of major nearby creeks and rivers
• phone numbers and links to all North Carolina power companies to report outages
• basic instructions on how to develop emergency plans and what to put in your emergency supplies kit
• real-time information on which counties have issued evacuation orders
• contact numbers and links to websites for those who need help recovering from a disaster
• direct links to the ReadyNC.org and NCDPS.gov websites and social media accounts
"We've seen countless examples across the country and here in our own state that remind us that those who are prepared ahead of time fare better during disasters," said Secretary Perry. "This simple app will help each family do just that."