If you’re driving in Israel and hear a siren (azaka) warning of an incoming rocket, every second counts. Waze, the popular navigation app developed in Israel (and purchased by Google), now includes a built-in “Crisis” feature that can help you immediately locate the nearest miklat (bomb shelter).
How to Use the “Crisis” Feature in Waze:
- Open the Waze app on your phone.
- Look at the bottom menu bar and tap the “Crisis” icon (see image).
- Waze will display nearby shelter locations on the map so you can safely and quickly navigate to one.
Alternative Method:
If you don’t see the “Crisis” button, you can also manually search for a shelter by typing מקלט (the Hebrew word for “shelter”) into the destination bar. Waze will list shelters nearby with distance and direction.
This feature is particularly useful for those:
- Driving through unfamiliar areas
- Traveling between cities
- Looking for the fastest route to shelter during an emergency
Please share this information with friends and family in Israel. It could help save lives.
Stay alert. Stay safe.
Keep Waze updated and your phone charged while on the road.
