Hurricane Sandy safety: There are apps for that
Turn your iPhone into a flashlight, an emergency radio, a hurricane tracker, and more.
As Hurricane Sandy bears down on the East Coast, it's time to start thinking about your safety -- and that means stocking up on helpful apps.
First up, turn your iDevice into a flashlight. CNET's Lance Whitney just rounded up flashlight apps for the iPhone, which could prove to be the handiest thing you install all day.
Next, keep up on the latest hurricane news and warnings -- at least while there's still power to nearby cell towers. Kitty Code's Hurricane, one of the top-rated hurricane trackers in the App Store, features everything from animated satellite maps to video updates to National Hurricane Center bulletins. It's currently on sale for $2.99.
If you really want to get serious about weather data, iMap Weather Radio provides location-oriented alerts for people about to get hit by bad weather or who might be moving into it. It's priced at $9.99 -- a little steep, but not if it saves your life.
Finally, check out my roundup of iPhone apps that can help in an emergency. It has tools for finding the nearest hospitals, administering first aid, and even helping sick or hurt kids.
If you've found apps you think would be useful before, during, or after Sandy, tell me about them in the comments. Here's hoping you won't actually need any of them.
