image by sunranger
The PunkLogic team are safe – some of us escaped to dryer places, some just got a bit damp. Our thoughts are with all flood victims that have been hit hard – here in Australia as well as other parts of the world. In South Africa 53 lifes have been lost since the beginning of the year and in Sao Paolo floods are also currently ravaging leaving 13 dead in mudslides. It is traumatic for all directly involved and shocking for onlookers. We’ll be donating the the QLD flood victim fund and you might consider it too.
Here are some tips that might help clarifying the use of twitter in emergencies.
Using twitter in an emergency
Following the flooding events mainly on tv in the office, today was the first time I’ve heard twitter mentioned. The micro blogging platform, is a great disaster communication tool – it’s great for immediate and easy information dissemination. It’s low on bandwidth and reduces the load on mobile networks keeping them free for emergency services and other important calls. People and organisations can respond quickly to many without ‘blocking’ phone lines.
Individuals: To make use of twitter in an emergency, you will need a twitter account and be already familiar with the system - it’s no good getting started when you are already in distress.. Consider setting up a twitter list for emergency contacts.
Organisations dealing with emergencies need to include twitter in their communications strategy (if they haven’t already done so). Some good pointers are here: HOW TO: Prepare for Disasters Using Social Media.
How does it work?
- The stream of post from your friends and loved ones will show updates on their situations as they post messages (search for them on twitter or ask them for their twitter id – then follow them). Send direct messages to your friends using ‘@yourfriendstwittername’ in your post.
- Use a relevant hashtag for emergency messages – in the Queensland flood instance #qldfloods.
- Do not do this instead of other available channels if in danger – such as phoning the SES flood emergency hotline on 132 500 or 000 for dire emergencies. Use common sense.
- Follow updates on twitter by following rescue organisations such as RedCrossAU or QLD Police QPSmedia or other official organisations on twitter.
- Queensland government is listing the following twitter id’s:
@consultqld (Queensland Government)
@QPSmedia (Queensland Police)
@businessqldgov (Queensland Business support)
A snapshot of the twitter stream relating to the current Brisbane flooding courtesy of redcliffmarketinglab:
Other disaster resources
- One of the best flood resources I have found is the ABC flood emergency site and the Queensland Government flood page.
Please add any other helpful advice, or your direct experience as a comment.
Hang in there Queensland. We wish for all the missing people to be found alive and well.
The PunkLogic Team