Social media played major role in aftermath of Western Mass.
In response to disasters around the country, online communities have become the communication tool of choice during times of emergency for individuals and major organizations. Agencies such as CDC Emergency and the American Red Cross have taken to the social media stream with 1,244,357 and 254,056 followers on Twitter respectively.
When the Red River crested at record flooding levels earlier this year in North Dakota and Minnesota, the Federal Emergency Management Agency was reaching 2,600 people with updates on the situation, according to a report compiled by CreditLoan.
According to a survey conducted by the Red Cross this past summer, in the event of a natural disaster, over half said they would use social media to let loved-ones know that they were Ok.
If in trouble, 22 percent said they would use online messaging through email or posts on a website to seek help while 20 percent would walk to the nearest police, fire or EMS station.