Robert Washington has created a storm shelter app referred to as Shelter Share with the intention to be sure that nobody else needed to undergo the terrifying shelter-in-place expertise he had in 2015 along with his new child daughter in Oklahoma.
Washington recalled that when the Might skies darkened that yr and the sirens started to sound, he and his household had been residing in a two-story residence constructing. He was holding his daughter, who was round 6 months outdated.
“That’s a horrible feeling. I do know I’m not the one one which skilled that,” Washington advised KFOR. “If you happen to’ve ever been caught in that state of affairs, you don’t know the place to go; you’ve got people who depend upon you, you’ve got your youngsters; you’ve got your spouse; you’ve got your husband; or whomever. What are we gonna do?”
The entrepreneur advised The Black Wall Avenue Instances that the idea for Shelter Share initially started to type in his head at the moment, and due to a monetary initiative from Builders and Backers, it turned a actuality by 2022.
The software program, which is accessible for each iOS and Android customers to obtain, connects its customers with close by areas that present shelter throughout disasters. They encompass locations like public buildings and shelters for the group. Registration and account creation can be found to each people searching for refuge and people trying to provide it. The app has been below improvement for 18 months now.
“It’s a 1.0 model. Don’t be like, ‘Oh my god. This sucks.’ No. We’re constructing and including to it each day, and I’m listening to everybody to verify it’s constructed accurately,” Washington acknowledged.
Over 2,000 folks now use Shelter Share, which started with about 75 members, though he famous that the variety of folks in want of refuge exceeds the variety of shelters. This system has listed seven storm shelters in the intervening time, however Washington hopes to develop extra natural reputation earlier than twister season arrives in eight months.
Washington advised The Black Wall Avenue Instances that customers could make a reservation a day upfront, the place they’ll select slots that point out whether or not a location has a room accessible.
“I’m hoping it evokes folks to be extra weather-aware and ready. There are folks on the market which are getting injured,” Washington mentioned.
Greater than 50 Oklahomans died on account of a twister between 2012 and 2022, in response to information from the Oklahoman.
Washington has future plans to reinforce and add new options to the app, offering each folks and their pets with an expertise that’s akin to that of AirBnB.
