KANSAS CITY, Mo. — As Kansas City braces for possible severe weather Tuesday, residents should closely monitor cellphones and weather radios.
There are several ways to receive severe weather alerts as they are issued so you can seek shelter.
Storm Shield
The Storm Shield app is available for iPhone and iPad on the Apple App Store, and Android on the Google Play Store.
It provides storm-based alerts for tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, thunderstorms, winter storms and other life-threatening weather events via voice and push notifications.
"It definitely monitors our weather situations. If there is a tornado warning, you get alerted right away," 41 Action News Chief Meteorologist Gary Lezak said.
Weather Radio
Even if the power or cell coverage goes out, a weather radio will alert you 24 hours a day.
A weather radio broadcasts the forecast 24 hours a day but is interrupted during severe weather.
The radios run off batteries and are available at most electronics stores, starting at about $30.
Outdoor Sirens
When outdoor sirens go off, it is usually an indicator that you should get inside and seek shelter.
However, the National Weather Service cautions relying on the sirens if you are indoors.
"Outdoor warning sirens are originally designed for warning people who are outside," said Jonathan Kurtz, a senior meteorologist with the National Weather Service. "We really don't suggest people rely on that when they are inside their homes, especially at night when they are asleep."
Wireless Emergency Alerts
Wireless Emergency Alerts are free notifications delivered to your mobile device as part of a public safety system provided by authorized senders.
Alerts are based off geography and include extreme weather, Amber alerts and presidential alerts during a national emergency.
The service is offered for free by wireless carriers.
