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If there’s a natural disaster happening, social media might turn out to be the ultimate lifesaver. Whether it’s getting the right information ahead of an impending disaster, or learning what to do after a disaster has destroyed your hometown, social media is being used in a number of creative ways during every phase of a natural disaster.
Real-time information
Most importantly, social media is being used by local governments, nonprofit organizations, and federal disaster relief authorities to push out real-time information to people in need. For example, during hurricane season, official authorities were able to get the word out about when to evacuate, where to go, and how to find assistance. People were told about the severity of the storm, and what to expect.
Just about everyone agrees that a steady flow of real-time information helps to cut down on the misinformation and disinformation that inevitably results during a natural disaster. Unfortunately, too many people on social media use these natural disasters as a form of click-bait. They’ll use apocalyptic images and videos, all in an attempt to get engagement. But, often, these images and videos are from prior storms, or perhaps even storms in another part of the country.
Instead of relying on word-of-mouth, or basing decisions on second-hand information from questionable sources, people are able to get the direct word from the organizations helping to steer them to safety. At the end of the day, that’s what helps to save lives and minimize the risk of severe casualties from natural disasters.
Collaboration and communication
Social media can also be used as an important collaboration and communication tool. When so many different people and organizations are working together, social media is the “glue” that keeps everyone connected. Thus, local government leaders can monitor social media for overall situational awareness. They can get first-hand accounts of which communities are struggling, and which citizens may be at risk of being left behind.
Meanwhile, nonprofit organizations can use social media to push out resources, collect user feedback, and update warnings as needed. Throughout the saga of Hurricane Helene, for example, nonprofit organizations continually provided resources about the storm’s path, where to go, and how to avoid the worst effects of the storm.
Social media for every phase of a crisis
Typically, any natural disaster can be broken down into three different phases: the pre-crisis period, the crisis itself, and the post-crisis period. Social media has a role to play in each of these phases. Too many people only focus on the pre-crisis period, when warnings and advice about how to survive the disaster take precedence.
But social media can also play an important role in the post-crisis period, as the process of recovery and stabilization occurs. When communities are looking to rebuild, that’s when they are most in need of social media resources for how to get assistance.
Disasters like hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes are, unfortunately, a very real part of life for regions across the nation. Thankfully, new uses continue to be found for social media, which is being used to save lives in the process.
