<p>In this Dec. 29, 2011, photo, a woman poses with a smart phone displaying the Winter Survival Kit, a smart-phone application developed by Myriad Devices, a startup company in the North Dakota State University's research and technology park, in Sioux Falls, S.D. The bright red "I'm Stranded" button helps motorists more quickly reach out for help in emergencies, and the app also provides winter preparation tips, such as what to include in a survival kit to keep in your car.</p>

FARGO, N.D. When a powerful blizzard ripped through North Dakota last winter, hundreds of drivers were stranded as white-out conditions shuttered interstates spanning the state. Snow whipped up by wind marred the lines between pavement and grassy drop-offs, leaving some scared motorists unsure what to do.

Two local software developers figured they could help.

Bob Bertsch, an employee with the North Dakota State University Extension Service, and Jake Joraanstad, an NDSU computer engineering major, had just finished developing an app to help residents during floods when the blizzard hit in March, convincing them to shift their attention to winter disasters.

Winter Survival Kit was born. The free program, available for iPhones and Android smartphones, is both a primer to help motorists prepare for winter driving and a beacon when things go badly.

It can pinpoint a motorists location, call 911, notify friends and family, and monitor how long the gas will hold out. The app also gives potentially life-saving alerts when users tap a big red button on its simple home screen that reads, Im Stranded! Among the advice: stay with your vehicle and keep the tailpipe clear of snow, since a backup can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

The app also helps drivers prepare for bad weather by inputting phone and policy numbers for insurance and roadside assistance, and designated emergency contacts. And it gives guidance on putting together a physical survival kit to keep in vehicles in case of emergencies.

The app has emergency numbers handy, allowing users to send text messages for help. Text messages often can be sent by weaker signals than are needed for clear phone calls. And the app would give emergency advice on braving the elements even telling users how to use parts of a vehicle to keep warm.

This app can literally save someones life. We take great pride in that, said Joraanstad.