Importance of Social Media for Disaster Management

Social media has significantly impacted how the public prepares for, plans, and recovers from disasters.

Fremont, CA: People no longer need to learn about current events halfway across the globe by reading the newspaper the following day. It is now easily possible to learn about events as they occur, and people are just beginning to realize how valuable the speed of information truly is. When other sources of communication are rendered inaccessible by a natural disaster, social media will still exist and be readily available. If everything else fails, individuals still have cell phones with internet connections and downloadable programs. As a result, social media has gained importance in disaster preparedness, recovery, and relief efforts.

Social media before a disaster

There are ways to prepare for an imminent disaster, such as securing your home and stockpiling nonperishable food and water. Then there are less obvious ways to prepare, such as using social media. Using social media, cities and local officials construct public Emergency Preparedness pages that community members may follow to receive the most recent news and updates. Residents should follow their local law enforcement agencies, fire departments, and news outlets on social media to stay informed. There are numerous applications (apps) for cell phones that can be useful in the event of a crisis.

Social media during a disaster

When calamity hits, mayhem ensues, and having a strategy in place beforehand can bring peace of mind to a situation that would otherwise be chaotic. Social media provides law enforcement, officials, and the general public with real-time information, as well as your friends and family. People share images and videos of a calamity occurring in real time. Often, the material found on social media is open to the public before news stations and newspapers can publish it.

During a catastrophe, officials use social media to notify the public where support is open and when they want to contact concerned areas. Any images or videos disseminated on social media aid in documenting the impairment and discovering survivors. Before joining, these visuals caution emergency answerers to the sincerity of the situation.

Social media after a tragedy

After a natural catastrophe, social media is used to help people in finding their loved ones, pets, and even mislaid items. As many will require clothing, nonperishable food, and a safe place to stay, it notifies the public about donation campaigns and reserve money. Businesses may utilize social media profiles to notify their clients, clients, and suppliers of their status. Moreover, they can utilize their online presence to declare to the public their plans and timeline for renovating, relocating, and reopening.