Pew Internet Life: Hurricane Katrina

Hurricane Katrina: In the face of disaster and chaos, people use the internet to coordinate relief
url: http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/p/1108/pipcomments.asp

 

In the days after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast region and knocked out cell phone towers and landline telephone service, citizens, local community organizations, government agencies and news outlets turned to the internet as a communication lifeline during the crisis.

The Pew Internet Project director, Lee Rainie, shared his thoughts on the internet's role in facilitating disaster relief in a recent Baltimore Sun article: "I think people have a sense that the Internet is a tremendously powerful and useful tool for them to provide human aid and comfort. You can do it from anywhere on the planet where there's a modem. You don't have to be living in the vicinity in order to make a difference or show your concern." (more...)
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Grace E. Lee
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