Virginians will likely be among the first to download the American Red Cross’ new hurricane app for their smartphones. Here at home, and when traveling on the East Coast, the free app will certainly come in handy during hurricane season. The app provides instant access to local, real-time information about hurricanes and hurricane safety, including before, during, and after a storm. It’s available for both iPhone and Android.

Through the app, you’ll get personalized location-specific weather alerts straight from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and you can even monitor weather alerts where family and friends live and work. The app will detail locations of open Red Cross shelters, which can be helpful if you’re traveling in an unfamiliar area. And it includes a useful toolkit with a flashlight, strobe light, and audible alarm.

Perhaps the most interesting feature, the app includes a one-touch “I’m safe” messaging option you can use to post to social media to reassure friends and family members of your own safety in a storm.

With the Atlantic hurricane season expected to deliver 4 to 8 hurricanes—including 1 to 3 major hurricanes designated Category 3 or greater—this year, this is one app Virginians should make it a priority to download.