Comments on: Joplin and Minneapolis: Grassroots tornado-recovery & info-sharing on Facebook http://boingboing.net/2011/05/24/joplin-and-minneapol.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sun, 26 May 2013 07:01:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Childe Roland http://boingboing.net/2011/05/24/joplin-and-minneapol.html#comment-1120283 Childe Roland Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1120283 The Red Cross is great, but if their people finder was a killer app, people wouldn't have to be told 3 times to use it. The Red Cross needs to be out there pushing that page on facebook. I am not picking on them; many large command-and-control emergency organizations are wrestling with the uncommanded and uncontrolled world of social networking. There was a facebook page up and being used to support Denning, Arkansas probably about 15 minutes after the tornado hit there early this morning. Centralized information services will have to beat that if they expect to replace it. The Red Cross is great, but if their people finder was a killer app, people wouldn’t have to be told 3 times to use it. The Red Cross needs to be out there pushing that page on facebook. I am not picking on them; many large command-and-control emergency organizations are wrestling with the uncommanded and uncontrolled world of social networking.

There was a facebook page up and being used to support Denning, Arkansas probably about 15 minutes after the tornado hit there early this morning. Centralized information services will have to beat that if they expect to replace it.

]]> By: k7aay http://boingboing.net/2011/05/24/joplin-and-minneapol.html#comment-1119535 k7aay Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1119535 Godfrey Daniel, Mother-of-Pearl! I know best intentions are in play here, and the resource listings could be helpful; but as a disaster worker, I tell you three times, there is _one_ place to use as a lost-and-found people finder, and that is http://j.mp/safeandwell AKA http://safeandwell.communityos.org the People Finder of the American Red Cross. Why? Because it's up and running as a priority app at every Red Cross shelter, everybody in the country is calling their local Red Cross chapter to find where their friends and relatives are, and that's where the Red Cross will look, not one of bazillion FaceBook pages with *questionable* privacy practices. Google's Person Finder http://www.google.com/crisisresponse/resources.html is also well-intentioned but it is crisis-specific and does not work for Joplin, North Minneapolis and smaller disasters. Please use the _one_ reliable, universal solution, and help your friends and family get reconnected. Godfrey Daniel, Mother-of-Pearl!

I know best intentions are in play here, and the resource listings could be helpful; but as a disaster worker, I tell you three times, there is _one_ place to use as a lost-and-found people finder, and that is http://j.mp/safeandwell AKA http://safeandwell.communityos.org the People Finder of the American Red Cross.

Why? Because it’s up and running as a priority app at every Red Cross shelter, everybody in the country is calling their local Red Cross chapter to find where their friends and relatives are, and that’s where the Red Cross will look, not one of bazillion FaceBook pages with *questionable* privacy practices.

Google’s Person Finder http://www.google.com/crisisresponse/resources.html is also well-intentioned but it is crisis-specific and does not work for Joplin, North Minneapolis and smaller disasters.

Please use the _one_ reliable, universal solution, and help your friends and family get reconnected.

]]> By: mpb http://boingboing.net/2011/05/24/joplin-and-minneapol.html#comment-1119802 mpb Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1119802 I'd like to endorse this idea. The problem with multiple sites is multiple info, not centralized, and of varying quality and datedness. I’d like to endorse this idea. The problem with multiple sites is multiple info, not centralized, and of varying quality and datedness.

]]> By: OldBrownSquirrel http://boingboing.net/2011/05/24/joplin-and-minneapol.html#comment-1119556 OldBrownSquirrel Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1119556 2011: Tornado hits Minneapolis, MN. 35 homes destroyed, 600 buildings damaged, one person killed. 1998: Tornadoes hits St. Peter, MN and other nearby towns. 500 homes destroyed in St. Peter alone, 1700 damaged in St. Peter alone, two people killed. 2011: Tornado hits Joplin, MO. A yet-uncounted but unquestionably large number of buildings damaged and destroyed, 118+ people killed. 2011: Tornado hits Tuscaloosa, AL. Widespread damage, 61 people killed. Maggie, you're in a good position to address my questions. Why is it that tornadoes that hit Minnesota kill so few people, even when they hit population centers and damage or destroy large numbers of buildings? Why is it that tornadoes in other parts of the country seem to be so much more deadly? Is there something Minnesota is doing right in terms of policy and disaster preparedness that the rest of the country ought to copy? Or is there something different about the tornadoes in Minnesota that makes them wreck structures without killing people, like a neutron bomb in reverse? 2011: Tornado hits Minneapolis, MN. 35 homes destroyed, 600 buildings damaged, one person killed.
1998: Tornadoes hits St. Peter, MN and other nearby towns. 500 homes destroyed in St. Peter alone, 1700 damaged in St. Peter alone, two people killed.
2011: Tornado hits Joplin, MO. A yet-uncounted but unquestionably large number of buildings damaged and destroyed, 118+ people killed.
2011: Tornado hits Tuscaloosa, AL. Widespread damage, 61 people killed.

Maggie, you’re in a good position to address my questions. Why is it that tornadoes that hit Minnesota kill so few people, even when they hit population centers and damage or destroy large numbers of buildings? Why is it that tornadoes in other parts of the country seem to be so much more deadly? Is there something Minnesota is doing right in terms of policy and disaster preparedness that the rest of the country ought to copy? Or is there something different about the tornadoes in Minnesota that makes them wreck structures without killing people, like a neutron bomb in reverse?

]]> By: mpb http://boingboing.net/2011/05/24/joplin-and-minneapol.html#comment-1119874 mpb Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1119874 I'm sure (I'd like to think) U Delaware and other preparedness research places have started this. There have been some good ideas in the past but I haven't seen any genuine analysis of their effectiveness-- 2007 floods in England, one town set up its own wordpress.com blog to provide information and pictures, http://cheltenhamboroughcouncil.wordpress.com/ Katrina, http://www.gulfcoastnews.com/ had one of the best bulletin boards for locating names (accessible and quick) Facebook for Christchurch, NZ, a whole slew of them-- doesn't seem especially useful unless one picks a popular one to like: The Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Page 6,205 people like this. Like Christchurch Earthquake Page 256 people like this. Like Christchurch Earthquake Page 155 people like this. Like Christchurch earthquake Page 66 people like this. Like Christchurch Earthquake Page 21 people like this. Like Christchurch earthquake Page 15 people like this. Like Christchurch earthquake Page 9 people like this. Like Christchurch earthquake Page 9 people like this. Like Christchurch earthquake Page 9 people like this. Like Christchurch earthquake Page 7 people like this. Like Christchurch Earthquake Page 6 people like this. Like Christchurch Earthquake Page 5 people like this. Like Christchurch Earthquake Page 5 people like this. Like Christchurch earthquake Page 5 people like this. Like Christchurch EarthQuake Page 4 people like this. Like Christchurch Earthquake Page 4 people like this. Like Christchurch Earthquake Page 4 people like this. Like Christchurch Earthquake Page 3 people like this. Like Christchurch Earthquake Page 3 people like this. Like Christchurch Earthquake Page 3 people like this. Request to Join Christchurch earthquake 43 members Request to Join Christchurch earthquake 35 members Request to Join Christchurch Earthquake 1 member Request to Join Christchurch Earthquake 1 member Request to Join Christchurch earthquake group 11 members Join Group Christchurch Earthquake Survivors Just for Fun 8 members Join Group CHRISTCHURCH EARTHQUAKE 7.1 Geography 50 members Like The Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Page 6,205 people like this. Like Christchurch Earthquake Page 256 people like this. Like Christchurch Earthquake Page 155 people like this. Like Christchurch earthquake Page 66 people like this. Like Christchurch earthquake Page 15 people like this. Like Christchurch earthquake Page 9 people like this. Like Christchurch earthquake Page 9 people like this. Like Christchurch earthquake Page 9 people like this. Like Christchurch earthquake Page 7 people like this. Like Christchurch Earthquake Page 6 people like this. Like Christchurch Earthquake Page 5 people like this. Like Christchurch Earthquake Page 5 people like this. Like Christchurch earthquake Page 5 people like this. Like Christchurch EarthQuake Page 4 people like this. and so on I’m sure (I’d like to think) U Delaware and other preparedness research places have started this. There have been some good ideas in the past but I haven’t seen any genuine analysis of their effectiveness–

2007 floods in England, one town set up its own wordpress.com blog to provide information and pictures, http://cheltenhamboroughcouncil.wordpress.com/

Katrina, http://www.gulfcoastnews.com/ had one of the best bulletin boards for locating names (accessible and quick)

Facebook for Christchurch, NZ, a whole slew of them– doesn’t seem especially useful unless one picks a popular one to like:

The Christchurch Earthquake Appeal
Page
6,205 people like this.

Like
Christchurch Earthquake
Page
256 people like this.

Like
Christchurch Earthquake
Page
155 people like this.

Like
Christchurch earthquake
Page
66 people like this.

Like
Christchurch Earthquake
Page
21 people like this.

Like
Christchurch earthquake
Page
15 people like this.

Like
Christchurch earthquake
Page
9 people like this.

Like
Christchurch earthquake
Page
9 people like this.

Like
Christchurch earthquake
Page
9 people like this.

Like
Christchurch earthquake
Page
7 people like this.

Like
Christchurch Earthquake
Page
6 people like this.

Like
Christchurch Earthquake
Page
5 people like this.

Like
Christchurch Earthquake
Page
5 people like this.

Like
Christchurch earthquake
Page
5 people like this.

Like
Christchurch EarthQuake
Page
4 people like this.

Like
Christchurch Earthquake
Page
4 people like this.

Like
Christchurch Earthquake
Page
4 people like this.

Like
Christchurch Earthquake
Page
3 people like this.

Like
Christchurch Earthquake
Page
3 people like this.

Like
Christchurch Earthquake
Page
3 people like this.
Request to Join
Christchurch earthquake
43 members
Request to Join
Christchurch earthquake
35 members
Request to Join
Christchurch Earthquake
1 member
Request to Join
Christchurch Earthquake
1 member
Request to Join
Christchurch earthquake group
11 members
Join Group
Christchurch Earthquake Survivors
Just for Fun
8 members
Join Group
CHRISTCHURCH EARTHQUAKE 7.1
Geography
50 members

Like
The Christchurch Earthquake Appeal
Page
6,205 people like this.

Like
Christchurch Earthquake
Page
256 people like this.

Like
Christchurch Earthquake
Page
155 people like this.

Like
Christchurch earthquake
Page
66 people like this.

Like
Christchurch earthquake
Page
15 people like this.

Like
Christchurch earthquake
Page
9 people like this.

Like
Christchurch earthquake
Page
9 people like this.

Like
Christchurch earthquake
Page
9 people like this.

Like
Christchurch earthquake
Page
7 people like this.

Like
Christchurch Earthquake
Page
6 people like this.

Like
Christchurch Earthquake
Page
5 people like this.

Like
Christchurch Earthquake
Page
5 people like this.

Like
Christchurch earthquake
Page
5 people like this.

Like
Christchurch EarthQuake
Page
4 people like this.

and so on

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/05/24/joplin-and-minneapol.html#comment-1119619 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1119619 Anyone working on best practices for social / collaborative media's help during an emergency? I've anecdotally heard of volunteers helping, but wondered if there is group figuring out how to best make this work? Anyone working on best practices for social / collaborative media’s help during an emergency? I’ve anecdotally heard of volunteers helping, but wondered if there is group figuring out how to best make this work?

]]> By: Beryllium http://boingboing.net/2011/05/24/joplin-and-minneapol.html#comment-1119389 Beryllium Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1119389 A mobile laundromat? Whoever thought of that is a genius. A mobile laundromat? Whoever thought of that is a genius.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/05/24/joplin-and-minneapol.html#comment-1119393 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1119393 This is great! I like the information on contractors. Storm Chasers(contractor scammers) are a huge problem for homeowners, business owners, insurance companies, and other contractors. This is great! I like the information on contractors. Storm Chasers(contractor scammers) are a huge problem for homeowners, business owners, insurance companies, and other contractors.

]]> By: imnotpete http://boingboing.net/2011/05/24/joplin-and-minneapol.html#comment-1119400 imnotpete Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1119400 There are also Facebook groups for Joplin specifically for reuniting residents with their possessions (especially photos) and their pets There are also Facebook groups for Joplin specifically for reuniting residents with their possessions (especially photos) and their pets

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/05/24/joplin-and-minneapol.html#comment-1120686 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1120686 Oldbrownsquirrel - I'm not sure that Minnesota is doing anything different as far as disaster preparedness. Many people in the recent North Minneapolis storm claim they didn't hear the sirens go off until just after the tornado passed through. I think a big reason less people get injured in northern states would have to be basements. Basements are necessary in colder climates because the foundation has to be below the frost line, which can be between 2-3 feet below ground in Minnesota during a really cold winter. This prevents the building from shifting during the freeze/thaw cycle. Softer soils also make it easier to dig them, whereas many southern areas have more dense soils, making it financially difficult. If anyone from the south is reading this, I would be curious as to how many homes have basements or storm cellars. Having a government program to increase the amount of storm shelters might not be a bad idea. Perhaps tax rebates or something like that. Oldbrownsquirrel –

I’m not sure that Minnesota is doing anything different as far as disaster preparedness. Many people in the recent North Minneapolis storm claim they didn’t hear the sirens go off until just after the tornado passed through.

I think a big reason less people get injured in northern states would have to be basements. Basements are necessary in colder climates because the foundation has to be below the frost line, which can be between 2-3 feet below ground in Minnesota during a really cold winter. This prevents the building from shifting during the freeze/thaw cycle. Softer soils also make it easier to dig them, whereas many southern areas have more dense soils, making it financially difficult.

If anyone from the south is reading this, I would be curious as to how many homes have basements or storm cellars. Having a government program to increase the amount of storm shelters might not be a bad idea. Perhaps tax rebates or something like that.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/05/24/joplin-and-minneapol.html#comment-1121712 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1121712 I have to agree. I thought it was a stupid idea until I was knee deep in the slog during Katrina... I have to agree. I thought it was a stupid idea until I was knee deep in the slog during Katrina…

]]> By: charming.quark http://boingboing.net/2011/05/24/joplin-and-minneapol.html#comment-1119463 charming.quark Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1119463 Not sure if it's the same one, but Tide runs a mobile laundromat for disaster victims called Loads of Hope. http://www.tide.com/en-US/loads-of-hope/about.jspx Not sure if it’s the same one, but Tide runs a mobile laundromat for disaster victims called Loads of Hope.
http://www.tide.com/en-US/loads-of-hope/about.jspx

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