I have to admit, I would have never thought of the importance of blogs during disasters. I would have been one of those people who asked, “What good does a blog do if you don’t have power to be able to read it?” I never once thought about using a Blackberry to browse the internet and blogs for more information.

I’m in Auburn, AL and even we are getting winds from Katrina and tornado watches and warnings all day. I’m thankful that we still have power and aren’t bearing the brunt of the storm. We still have easy access to news and weather updates, but I’ve experienced the massive power outages before. During those power outages, you look for any way possible to get information about the weather and what’s to come. Like Josh said, everyone depends on any news possible, so those updating their blogs become crucial news sources.

This past spring and summer I interned at the Lee County Red Cross here in Auburn. I got my Public Affairs and Disaster certification so that I could effectively communicate with the media all of the Red Cross updates and information dealing with Hurricane Dennis. I was constantly at the office talking with television and radio stations about shelters, advice, and safety advice. If the Red Cross had a blog to post information so many more people would have had that same information at a moment’s notice. It’s a great idea for any organization to have an updated blog.

I was wondering how the reporters at nola.com are able to post to their blog from the Times-Picayune building in downtown New Orleans. Power is mostly out, the phones are failing, cell phones and high-speed Internet I presume are long gone. Old fashioned packet radio?

Just posted a summary of my posts of the last few days on Ray Nagin's performance before and during the hurricane. Finally found some bloggers who understand - wonder when the MSM will wake up.

I am just learning about computers and know nothing about what a blog is but am desperate to find out about a loved one and my dog in Mandeville, LA that was in the middle of hurricane Katrina. Does anyone know a website that I can find out anything?
Thank You,
Jean Bradford

"If you don't have power how can you blog or read a blog?"

Using that same logic, why bother with talking to television reporters. No power-no TV. And why stop there? If people's houses are flooded, they aren't going to be getting their newspapers delivered either. Might as well just take the week off!?!?!?!?

For what company does that spokesperson work? (I know you won't tell, but you should just because it was such a dumb remark for him/her to make.)

This is such an important issue to address. Because I am in Auburn, Alabama, it hits close to home in terms of tornadoes. My family lives about an 1.5-2 hours from the Alabama/Florida coast lines, so keeping informed about their situation is important to me. During Hurricane Ivan, they lost power, and I often called giving them updates that they couldn't get from the radio or neighbors.

As the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina is still unfolding, I have been checking some of the news blogs to find out the latest details of the search and recovery efforts, especially since I am now finding out about people missing that I have a connection with (such as the niece and nephew of a my mother's coworker).

A blog is extremely useful in this situation when there isn't enough information for a full report, it is in between press times or just a small paragraph is needed to update a community. Though many may not be able to access the blog in the disaster area, those that have taken refuge in other cities will be able to search for information about their homes, friends and family that they left.

I keep seeing more and more organizations using blogs during Hurricane Katrina than in the past. I really have enjoyed being able to check reports more often and with the information I'm looking for (like about power outages or about the weather).

Thanks for the reminder about including this medium in our media contacts.

I think blogging during a crisis situation is a wonderful and beneficial idea. It would allow people to receive information quickly and efficiently. Since people are unable to watch the news or listen to the radio, this would be the next best way to relay information. Also, using a Blackberry would be a smart and easy way to find out the most updated information and pass it along to people need. People are always desperately searching for news when there is no power, so this seems to be the best solution.

I would have never thought about the importance of using blogs during a disaster situation. I would have also been one of those people who would say, "How can you blog without power?" Blogging would be useful for our area because of Auburn's location and because of the bad weather we have been experiencing this past year.

I think blogging would serve the most important purpose for those from Louisiana and those still stranded there. They could blog and read blogs if possible. There are people missing, and loved ones are searching for them. There are also people searching for any information about the crisis situation at hand. Having blogs with lists of people in shelters could help family members know their loved ones are safe. Having blogs available will help people from Louisiana know what the progress of the disaster relief is, and also how and where to receive help from the Red Cross and other service organizations. Having updated blogs could help save people's lives.

Do you folks need any extra computer user outside NOLA to help. I will be here 24/7 until Tuesday. We have faxs, long distance ,cell, 10 client network. what can we do? I am actively posting on disaster and medical relief info on: ( deli.cio.us/drharl )>> scanner frequencies, emergency instructions, field medicine, drug information by request. contact drharlf@gmail.com

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As a student at Auburn University, I am new to the blogging scene and so far have found it very innovative and useful especially for things such as networking and news updates. I never realized what kind of impact this communication channel could have during a time of crisis.

Going to school in Alabama has put me in many situations without power or source of news during hurricanes or tornadoes. To be able to find blogs with quick up-to-date news of what is going on would be incredibly useful. Sometimes we are unable to use televisions, radios, or even look up websites, but there is someone out there who would be able to and post blogs about this information.

I agree with Leigh Ann, so many people affected by Hurricane Katrina are separated from loved ones. The victims of this natural disaster are worrying and waiting for news of what happened to their homes and in some cases, family. Blogging could ease their pain by offering a way of communicaton.

Also organizations such as the Red Cross could use blogs to let not only the people affected by a disaster, but the rest of the world, know what they are in need of such as clothes, blood donation, food, etc.

During a time of crisis, it is important for people to come together, but it is hard if no one knows what is going on and what kind of help is needed. As blogging continues to grow as a source of information and communication, it will be a great help in disaster situations.

Thanks for this post, Josh. I printed out a copy of your post (and Rex's related post) and took it with me tonight to the city council meeting where I stood up during the "open mic" portion and requested info about the city's disaster plan... but more importantly offered my services as a blogger and volunteered to wrangle other local bloggers to brainstorm about what we can do in an emergency. Handed over the printouts with my written statement. Good things will come of this.

A blog is extremely useful in this situation when there isn't enough information for a full report, it is in between press times or just a small paragraph is needed to update a community. Though many may not be able to access the blog in the disaster area, those that have taken refuge in other cities will be able to search for information about their homes, friends and family that they left.