New Google SOS Alerts In Search

Google announced a new search and maps feature that provides SOS alerts for locations and events that are in crisis. Google wrote "SOS alerts is a new set of features in Google Search and Maps to help you quickly understand what’s going on and decide what to do during a crisis."

Here is what it looks like:

Google will show you maps, top stories and authoritative local information such as "emergency phone numbers, websites, and translations of useful phrases." Google may also send you a notification on your mobile device that directs you to this information if you are nearby this location.

Google gets the data from the Red Cross, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration and many others.

Here is a GIF of it in action:

This also works in Google Maps.

Forum discussion at Twitter and Google+.