In 1997 when there was bad flooding in the Red River Valley, I worked at MRNet and we started an email list where people in the area could post a wish list. Then those of us on high ground were able to send what they needed.
The Internet couldn’t stop the flooding but it could at least help bring in some solutions and small comforts. On the MN Voices Online list we have been talking about how and where to get info this time around. Here’s a list of how people have been using technology to coordinate help this time around:
- Fargo – Moorhead Flood is a Facebook group used to keep people updated. (Here’s a story from MRP on other Facebook groups: Floods on facebook.)
- I didn’t realize this – but a MVO member in Duluth mentioned that Facebook is the place to go for info on an emergency or disaster.
- Giveback with Impact – a web site for donations set up by Dakota Medical Foundation called DMF Red River Valley Flood Fund, and they will match up to $25,000. (Funds will be distributed to Red Cross, Firstlink, and The
Salvation Army.)
There are a couple of blogs:
- Forum Flood Watch
- West Central Initiative
- The Red Cross has an Online Disaster News Portal; you can subscribe to it.
- A wiki
- Some suggested standards for Twitter: Let’s start one trend, use the #flood09 hashtag on Twitter which seems to have momentum – – and #fargoflood … #citynameflood for area specific
Hopefully the technology will again help to facilitate solutions and small comforts. We’ll be thinking of our friends and families in the areas – especially Thursday afternoon when the crest is expected.