Public Alerts on Google Maps: learn about emergencies in your area

Keeping with its policy of providing valuable service to its users, Google has recently announced the creation of Google Public Alerts, an emergency system that will notify you on crisis situation within the area of your interest.

In this way, the new tool will inform you on floods, earthquakes, tornados and other emergency situations that might be happening near your current location (or near the area you search through the engine).

Detailed reports and resources on extreme situations

The new platform was developed by Google Crisis Response team in order to provide users with “critical emergency information during crises.” The idea is that you get precise and useful information that might help you in avoiding potential damage to you, your family and your property while aiding you with the necessary precautions.

In this way, you won’t just receive information on where and when a disaster will strike but also a set of links for resourceful sites that will give you suggestions on how to act in the face of, say, an earthquake near your hometown. It’s important to notice that the situations that get reported can be divided into relevant weather, public safety, and earthquake alerts.

Additionally, whenever you search for a specific place in Google Public Alerts, you’ll also get detailed explanations on the critical situation with a full description on what you can expect. All of the data is provided by recognized emergency services, such as the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Weather Service, and the US Geological Survey (USGS).

Finally, Google Public Alerts’ homepage displays a list with the current warnings, so in case you’re curious about where in the world a disaster is happening, this is the best way to find out.

Although the service is now more focused in reporting US-related disasters, it also displays major crisis around the world. So, if you’re planning a trip or you’re suspecting something might happen on account of the sky’s bizarre colors, Google Public Alerts is the site to go to clarify your doubts.