Mobile Apps Gaining Use During Emergencies and Natural Disasters

by Holly Shoemaker

A recent survey from the American Red Cross showed that twenty percent of people have used mobile apps to access information during emergencies and natural disasters.

Other Numbers at a Glance

The survey consisted of an online poll of 1,017 U.S. adults and phone interviews with an additional 1,018 respondents in June. The America Red Cross found the following:

• While more people still use television, radio and online sources to obtain updates regarding emergency situations, those sources of information have declined since last year. In comparison, the number of people who use mobile applications has increased 18 percent since 2011. 
• Mobile apps tied with those who turn to social media sites for information, and those who use social media are more likely to use apps for disaster or emergency information. Eight percent of the public downloaded apps to assist them in an emergency or disaster. The number significantly increases to 25 percent among users who learned about a disaster or emergency from social media sites.
• One in five Americans have used an app to obtain emergency information.

Concluding Thoughts

The use of mobile apps continues to increase across industries. When it comes to obtaining information for emergency and natural disaster purposes, an app may be just as quick as turning on the TV, especially if people are not close to one. However, work is still needed to communicate the usefulness of these apps. The study showed that respondents do not typically think about downloading an app via an app store during these times. Many apps like a weather forecaster or even an app flashlight are useful in daily situations and will come in handy should an emergency situation arise.