If you’re in an area that’s prone to flooding and flash floods, you should have a flood alert app to keep on top of the latest weather developments. Grab the flood apps listed below to stay aware of flood forecasts and warnings for your area.
You should also considering downloading some other general emergency alert apps so that you know what to do in the event there are other types of disasters in your area.
A Weather Station in Your Pocket: Clime
Primarily a weather tracking app, Clime (formerly known as NOAA Weather Radar Live) offers everything you could need when keeping an eye on the risk of flooding and other extreme weather conditions. There’s an interactive map that is enhanced with severe weather warnings as and when needed. Current and ‘feels like’ temperatures are available along with the chance of precipitation and humidity info.
Great for all weather conditions.
Long range forecasts available.
Very detailed.
Not all features are free.
Can be overwhelming at first.
You can easily set the app up to multiple different locations around the world, with accurate details on all of them at any given time.
Most importantly, you’ll receive a push notification whenever an alert is issued including floods, snow, storm, tornados, and other extreme weather scenarios.
Download For:
Simple River Monitoring: Floodwatch
If you live near a body of water then Floodwatch is an essential app for you. It tracks all the rivers across the US courtesy of the US Geological Survey’s real-time data, providing you with the most recent and accurate stream gauge data available.
Detailed information via US Geological Survey.
Can track each flood stage level.
Free via ads.
iOS only.
Far from pretty to look at.
It’s possible to add favorite rivers for easy consultation. In each case, an arrow demonstrates if the water is rising or dissipating. Graphs further highlight how the water levels are changing in the past 24 hours as well as historical data on the past 7 days and more.
Floodwatch isn’t particularly stylish but it gives you fast insight into just how the water is rising near you, giving you a heads up on if the levels are unusually high so you know when to be concerned.
For Full Weather Coverage: The Weather Channel
The Weather Channel app prides itself on accuracy. Its updates are regular, often informing you of weather changes every 15 minutes or so. That’s just what you need when up against extreme weather conditions.
Extensive weather alerts.
AI that predicts weather changes.
Regularly updated weather info.
Ads get in the way.
Not exclusively for flooding info.
Besides the extensive maps which show you exactly what’s going on and what’s coming, the app also offers alerts for extreme weather conditions including flash floods, and other storms and incidents. You can follow individual conditions closely before seeing what the official advice for dealing with them is. Wind speed reports as well as rain forecasts give you some insight into what’s coming too. Live radar alerts keep you constantly in the know.
As an aside, there are also allergy alerts and medical advice for those users who struggle with asthma and other respiratory ailments.
Best Weather Graphics and Charts: NOAA Weather Center
Not exclusively designed for flooding, but more than adept at offering you advice on potential flash flood warnings, Weather Center is a colorful but detailed app when it comes to reporting on changing weather conditions. The app defaults to a map view so that you can easily pinpoint where you are amongst the weather patterns.
Detailed maps showing weather changes.
Effective warnings and advisory messages.
It’s not free.
Graphs can be confusing.
iOS only.
Besides simple information such as current weather conditions, feels-like temperatures, and precipitation, the app provides NWS watches, warnings, and advisories so you know exactly what’s happening when it comes to a flood. Maps have over 14 overlays so you can tweak them just right so that you can see how storms may affect you. A nearby storms report list further enhances your knowledge base, with insight into if heavy rain is coming which could lead to flooding.
Stay Connected During a Storm: Hurricane by American Red Cross
The American Red Cross Hurricane app keeps track of all potential tropical storms and hurricanes within the US, sending out notifications for when things get bad in your area. When you look up an alert, you’re presented with a map of the afflicted area, along with information on what you should do next.
Monitor the location of your contacts.
Find Red Cross shelters in a disaster.
Hurricane preparedness information is available without an internet connection.
Includes a flashlight, strobe light, and alarm siren
Supports both English and Spanish.
You can’t view multiple overlays (wind speed, clouds, etc.) at once.
Sometimes slow to load.
The most important feature is the option to notify people in your contacts that you are safe during a storm. You can immediately share your location with your family and find shelters in your area. General advice is also provided for what to do right before a flood so that you and your family remain safe at all times.
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