Usually a map is used to navigate how to get from Point A to Point B.
But as the United States’ east coast copes with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, those staying put may still find a map to be one of their most helpful tools.
Several days before Sandy ripped through the east coast, inflicting at least $50 billion of damage, Google released a “Superstorm Sandy Crisis Map” highlighting shelter and recovery locations, traffic conditions, power outage information and more.
Google’s Crisis Response Team, an organization formed in 2005, created the interactive map through its free Google Maps service. It was released Oct. 28 on Google’s official blog and it quickly spread on social media because the company provided an easy-to-use “share” feature.
You can view a map of the entire east coast HERE, or you can check out a New York-specific map HERE.
Google’s crisis map is a prime example of how people can collaborate and utilize social media to aid others before, during and after disasters by providing valuable hyper-local information to those with Internet access.
For example, Google has already updated satellite images of areas devastated by Sandy through its Google Earth services.
Through crowdsourcing, Google has also begun to assess damage along the coast and has posted that color-coded information on the map as well.
Many organizations are now also using their own Google Maps to notify the public about locations in need of donations or additional clean-up volunteers. The “Hurricane Sandy Relief Volunteer Opportunities” map located HERE, for example, allows users to drop pins at sites in need of help.
Although the crisis map is already its own form of social media, it also encourages users to take advantage of additional social media services to stay informed and alert. It provides links to areas with local emergency Twitter feeds, webcams and related YouTube videos and is constantly updated as new information is provided.
The crisis map, therefore, has a limitless outreach online. It can help victims seeking refuge, concerned family members across the country, journalists seeking new leads or volunteer and relief organizations.
Although it doubles as a cost-effective method of positive promotion for the company, Google’s philanthropic efforts to aid the hurricane victims is admirable and effective and I praise Google for its creation.