With warnings of Hurricane Matthew hitting Florida and South Carolina this weekend and potentially moving up the East Coast, staying up-to-date with the most recent information and warnings holds utmost importance. For caregivers with senior clients in the affected areas, ensuring that they’re prepared for the storm and a potential evacuation is the highest priority. To stay abreast of the latest with the storm, the MyRadar app offers a look at the most recent radar data.
A radar shows any precipitation or storms in the area using a scale of severity ranging from light blue at the low end to bright pink at the high end. When users first open the MyRadar app, they only need to allow it to use their current location to get see their radar data. As a default, the app shows what the radar has looked like in your area for the past hour. Cloud formations move across the map as a ticker at the bottom updates the time in increments of five minutes. The coloring of the formations changes with the severity of the storm in real time to offer an accurate measure of the storm.
On the upper bar, caregivers can see a summary of the weather forecast for their area. If they place their finger on that top banner and pull it down, then it brings up a full hourly forecast for the next 24 hours plus a summary of the five-day forecast including the chance of rain. The detailed forecast for the day continues below that with a summary plus Wind and Pressure information. This area of the app proves useful for caregivers on any given day to get a detailed snapshot of the forecast. This enables caregivers to properly plan their day with their senior clients if they need to run errands or planned to spend a little time outside. The forecast will be increasingly useful as the winter months approach and some areas of the US might experience more extreme weather.
For caregivers currently in the predicted path of Hurricane Matthew, it is important to note that the radar does not show predictions of the next hour or two. Instead, the only data available is from the previous hour. But caregivers can follow along in real-time with the storm over their specific area to see as it hits and can get an idea of when the worst might have passed over them. However, no one should assume the storm is over and moved on to other areas until the local media deems it so. Pay attention to local news and all warnings from the government in addition to watching the storm radar on your own. There is a Hurricane Watch area of the app, but activating it requires an upgrade to the paid version.
For senior caregivers and their clients, disaster preparedness during storms and extreme weather is key. Create a plan with your senior clients and their families in case of future events. The MyRadar app is available for Apple and Android platforms.
Senior caregivers, let us know your feedback on this app and keep us posted if you discover additional apps that assist with caregiving duties and help relieve caregiver stress. You may also refer-a-friend to a senior caregiving job and win prizes weekly and monthly on Caregiverlist.
