Free screening of 'Tornado Alley 3D'

photo A scene from "Tornado Alley 3D."

A free screening of "Tornado Alley 3D" at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 27, will help teach area residents how to be ready for inclement weather.

The community preparedness event is presented by the American Red Cross of Southeast Tennessee, the United Way of Greater Chattanooga and the Tennessee Aquarium's Imax 3D Theater, 201 Chestnut St., which will host the screening. Doors open at 9 a.m. Seating is limited to the first 400 people.

Saturday is the two-year anniversary of the 2011 tornadoes that ravaged the tri-state area. Guests can learn how to "Be Red Cross Ready" and how to download the new Red Cross Tornado app at the event.

"Tornado Alley 3D helps educate the public about the science behind the storms, and we'll be able to provide detailed information about becoming better prepared," said Greg Waite, community chapter executive for the American Red Cross of Southeast Tennessee. "We'll also be happy to help everyone download and install the new Red Cross tornado app."

App features include:

• Simple step-by-step instructions to help users know what to do even if cell towers and televisions are down. These prioritized actions for before, during and after a weather emergency require no mobile connectivity.

• Audible siren that automatically goes off even if app is closed when the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issues a tornado warning, helping to reduce the chance of sleeping through an actual warning.

• Push notification sent when a warning expires, especially important if power goes out while a family is taking shelter in a safe room.

• Help for distant friends and family to receive tornado watch and warning alerts.

• Map of Red Cross shelters if necessitated by severe weather.

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