Google Maps is getting new features that could potentially save thousands of lives

For example, in the case of a hurricane, you'll automatically get a crisis notification card on Google Maps in the days leading to the expected disaster. The map will also display the predicted trajectory of the storm, alongside times when the hurricane is expected to hit certain areas in your vicinity. If you happen to be driving through an affected region on the day of the storm, you'll get a suggestion for a safer route alternative. Such suggestions will be offered for all types of disasters while driving, starting later this summer.

In the case of an earthquake, the crisis notification card will display a shakemap, which is a visualization of the earthquake's epicenter, magnitude, and how surrounding areas were affected. Flood forecasts will notify you of possible floods, as well as where they are likely to occur, and where the waters are expected to flow. Google says this is especially important in regions like India, where over 20 percent of global flood-related fatalities occur.

The revamped SOS alerts system will start rolling out to Android, iOS, and the web version of Google Maps in the coming weeks. Flood visualizations will first launch in Patna, India, and will spread to neighboring regions, and eventually globally, though curiously they won't be coming to iOS, at least initially.