Checking A State For Disasters Before Beginning A Route.

Got a question regarding natural disasters and trucking.

With the USA being such a large nation, it's goes without saying there's always some natural disaster going on somewhere haha.

But I understand how that can effect someone's route as a trucker.

So is there a thing that truckers do to check to see if there's natural disasters going on like floods before driving through a disaster area?

For example:

Let's say I'm hauling a load that I pickup in somewhere in Arizona and I'm delivering it to somewhere in West Virginia. I got to drive through several states obviously to get there, but one of the states has an avalanche blocking part of the route, and another state has massive floods blocking another part of the route.

Obviously I would just rearrange the route to avoid those areas...but I can't do that if I don't know that these two natural disasters are going on.

And let's say in this scenario, these disasters don't even happen until after I'm just about to enter said states.

How do I "pay attention" and/or know "what to look out for" and "where to look" for this kind of info so I'm not stranded on a highway somewhere for a couple days, looking at a mountain of snow in front of me covering the highway, or a road that collapsed due to a landslide, flood etc?

Just curious how experienced truckers approach this issue.

Every state has a 511 service number for road conditions and I know many have an online website that also posts up to date closures. Those are an excellent source of information. Another good tool is the Weather Channel app to see a nationwide weather forecast. These are tools at your disposal that you should use every time you plan your trip. Never Never Never I mean NEVER, blindly follow any GPS system. Recon the route using google maps and zoom down to street view in tight areas. You can always call the receiver to get detailed directions when you get close. There may be a specific truck route to get there you might not be aware of. If it don't feel right, plan a new route. Its much easier to do this before you start. Each time you stop go back over your plan because some things can change.

Download every state's 511 app and file them neatly in a folder on your phone. I try to anticipate as far forward as I can, but my main focus is just to ensure the route I'm taking for my 10 hour push is clear. Weather predictions can change on a dime so its not always possible to completely avoid rough conditions. I always do a google check of key towns and cities I am planning on passing in the winter time. I live out of Idaho so I am screwed no matter which way I go in winter. But yeah, get those 511 apps. Some are better than others, but they are all pretty good at informing you of road conditions.

NOAA all hazards radio

Driveweather app

Stormshield app

SafetravelUSA app is all 511 apps in one app by location and route.

Willyweather app

Windy App

Max Velocity YouTube live weather and spotting.

NOAA Velocity and relectivity radar pages by location.

NOAA conditions by route in Wyoming. Similar to 511 but better.

Watch the national forecast for the week daily and regional forecasts on wetherus tv. Free streaming.

I have a paid subscription to the Weather Channel app. It give me alerts and I can zoom out to see the weather in the whole country. I pay for the level to have 72 day radar.

With that said you will rarely find a natural disaster on your route. They don't happen that often. The biggest worry depending on weight is wind.