Storm Safety Assistant

Inspiration

With the winter storms a few weeks ago in Texas, there was, unfortunately, a multitude of fatalities due to car crashes, or people not being able to access resources that they needed. We decided to build an app that has a winter design that instructs people on how to drive in icy or winter conditions, gives them access to information they might need, gives information on nearby locations like grocery stores or food pantries where food is available, and nearby locations people could possibly take shelter at. In this app there will also be an emergency SOS when so to a local station nearby so people can get the help they need ASAP.

What it does/ Competitive Advantage

If someone are stuck somewhere or need to go somewhere we can tell them the roads which are available for them to reach their destination Find available food and shelter nearby If in an emergency situation, you can know what to do until help arrives. In case of an emergency, you can send SOS alerts to professionals to come to the person’s help

Most apps for winter storms just notify people about storms ahead of time. There are also many apps for natural emergencies but none of them that have the features we do in our app, Storm Safety Assistant; possible routes for a person to reach their destination, possible places to take shelter, possible places to find food, and SOS alerts, all in one app. Getting this app would be helpful for many situations. Even though this app was initially started to help various people during snowstorms. It may come in handy in other situations as well.

How we built it/ Features

A map integrated in the app showing different routes to the destination. Information on what people can do to stay safe during times like these. For example some people died from hypothermia, house fires, car crashes, and by being poisoned by carbon monoxide. We can provide information on how to avoid those situations, but if they are stuck in one, what they could do to survive as long as possible. Information on nearby grocery stores and local pantries where they can find food. Information on where shelter is possibly available for people And if there is an emergency situation, like if someone needs immediate help they can send an SOS and medics, fire fighters or others can come to help them

In our app, we aim to help people during emergency snowstorm situations. When the app is first installed the person has to give some information such as, name, email, password, phone number. And from the next time they get on the app all they need to do is log in with their phone number and password. When a person first gets on the app they will have four options, safe routes, driving instructions, nearby resources, and emergency help. If it’s an emergency alert they have some options to choose from on what department help a person needs, for example medics or fire fighters. If a person is trying to go somewhere they can select their destination and they can see what are the best routes to reach their destination. And what are some things they need to do in the meantime. If it’s resources they can select the kind of resource and where they can find it. And finally if it’s shelter the app shows nearby locations for shelter.

Challenges we ran into

Two out of the three members in our group are beginners and it’s their first hackathon. And all three of us are from different places and different time zones; one member even being across the world. Because of this, it was really hard for us to work and navigate through discord and zoom.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We are able to take recent problems like the Texas snowstorm to a big prototype. Although we are all in different places in different time zones, each of us worked together to manage the project and make it through. Working together to make this project work was a great achievement for us especially because two out of the three members in our group are beginners and this is their first hackathon. Even though it was confusing for them, with the help of the more experienced members and great collaboration we were able to pull this project off.

What we learned

We got greatly cultured on the significance of communication. Being on zoom meant we needed the right balance between collaborating and doing work. Finding the right balance and communication was very crucial for us to make a solid project. We spent the first couple of hours clarifying doubts and confusion especially with two of our members being beginners. Even though this was our first hackathon for some of our team members it was really enjoyable to work together and learn new things in the process.