Tech tools, accounts to keep updated on severe weather, hurricane season

With hurricane season in full swing and a tropical storm already on the way, keeping updated on severe weather and other emergencies is instrumental in staying safe throughout them and planning your next steps. According to The Weather Channel, this season’s predictions call for a “total of 12 named storms, five hurricanes and two major hurricanes.” With this in mind, here are some social-media accounts, apps, websites and other tech tools you can use to keep updated on the latest news regarding severe weather.

Orange County has its own weather and emergency update system through the smartphone app OCFL Alert. Available for free for both Androids and iPhones, the app allows users to choose to be notified of emergency situations dealing with weather, traffic, environment, Amber Alerts, boil-water notices and more. For severe weather, the app also provides locations for shelters, distribution sites for water and ice and more. Orange County also keeps its website updated with the latest alerts and county news at orangecountyfl.net.

Florida Division of Emergency Management’s website for its State Emergency Response team also provides the latest news and updates on any emergency affecting the state of Florida. Along with current weather forecasts and news from the National Hurricane Center, the site offers personal safety tips, checklists for evacuations, access to NOAA Radio and printable forms and tips for securing homes, pets and insurance.

511 Statewide Service is Florida’s system for alerting people of current traffic, weather, Amber Alert and construction updates. Anyone may visit the website at fl511.com or simply dial 511.

Additionally, there are many accounts through multiple social-media outlets to follow as another way to stay informed of emergencies:

Twitter:

Florida Division of Emergency Management: @FLGetAPlan

Florida State Emergency Response Team: @FLSERT

Florida 511: @fl511_central 

National Hurricane Center (Atlantic Coast): @NHC_Atlantic 

National Weather Service: @NWS

Orange County: @OrangeCoFL

Orange County Fire Rescue: @OCFireRescue

Facebook: 

Florida Emergency Preparedness Association

NOAA NWS National Hurricane Center

Orange County, Florida

US National Weather Service Melbourne Florida

Contact Danielle Hendrix at [email protected].