The Federal Emergency Management Agency is rolling out a new texting feature to allow people to find shelter in weather-related emergencies.
People can text the word “shelter” and their zip code to 43362 to obtain a list of nearby shelters during a natural disaster as part of a collaboration with the American Red Cross, the agency said in a press release Tuesday.
“Disasters frequently disrupt communications systems, which can leave survivors feeling overwhelmed and helpless when they are trying to locate shelters,” said Deanne Criswell, an administrator with FEMA.
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“Since texting capabilities are often unaffected during disasters, our updated Text to Shelter option is an easy and accessible way survivors can locate nearby shelters with a tap of a button. This feature will help keep our communities safe,” Criswell said.
While the old feature only provided people with shelters within their zip code, the new update “uses Geographic Information System (GIS) capabilities to give users shelter addresses within 200 miles of their ZIP code,” the agency said in the press release.
“The texting feature is available across all 50 states and U.S. territories,” the press release says. “Standard texting rates with the user’s carrier may apply, but there is no additional fee to use this service.”
On phones that contain map features, users will be able to click on the address provided inside the text message, the agency said. They will also be able to see directions to the shelter.
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“Disasters can strike anywhere, anytime,” the agency said in the press release. “Save this number, 43362, in your phone today.”
The Washington Examiner reached out to FEMA for a statement but did not receive a response.
