A server is provided comprising a processor configured to: receive an indication of a location of a first device that is subscribed to a disaster notification service; in response to receiving a disaster alert, detect that the first device is located in an area associated with the disaster based on the indication of the location of the first device; identify a second device that has registered the first device as a friend; and transmit a first indication of the disaster to the first device and a second indication of the disaster to the second device.