Hurricane Tracker Apps for iPad, iPhone, Android to Avoid Irene

Aug. 22, 2011 — -- Hurricane Irene, now moving through the Caribbean and perhaps threatening the Southeast by week's end, is only the latest sign of one of the most active hurricane seasons in years. So you want to know where the action is and whether you're in the line of fire. Your smartphone could be your most valuable tool during or after a hurricane, with dozens of apps available to provide crucial information.

Here's a list of apps. Click on the links for download information.

Hurricane HD lets you track storms, with moving radar and satellite imagery from the National Hurricane center. It provides tropical bulletins, forecasts, and advisories for the Atlantic and Pacific Basins.

You can watch video updates for storms currently underway or forming, and find data on major storms of the past, like Andrew, Hugo and Katrina.

Nothing beats having a weather radio for the most up-to-date info, but you can't always have that with you. You do usually have your phone, though, so having this app gives you all the tracking info you need, plus a built-in weather radio. You can tell it up to five locations -- where you are or where you're headed, or where family members are. With iMap Weather Radio, you will receive critical voice and text alerts on life-threatening weather events. The app provides an early warning to help individuals and families seek safety, even in the middle of the night.

"Follow me" feature: Reads your GPS location and delivers alerts to you no matter where you are.

An audio feature not only gives you the latest weather, but also provides audio alerts in the form of beeps followed by a brief description of the alert. The audio alerts you to the information you need when you can't stop to look at the phone, perhaps if you're driving. You can always listen to the alerts and forecast for your area at any time.