What may well be the largest and most powerful storm ever recorded — Typhoon Haiyan — is currently hitting the Philippines. But when disaster strikes, the internet can spring into action.
Google.org, the philanthropic arm of Google, has a suite of crisis response tools to help coordinate resources during disasters around the world. Google Crisis Response employs crowdsourced maps to show the location of evacuation centers, hospitals, and command posts. The map also has overlays of weather and climate conditions and shows red alerts for affected areas.
During and after the disaster, the website can help those affected find one another using Personfinder. The page allows anyone to place the name of someone they are looking for or add information about a missing person. The feature works on mobile devices as well and can send text messages. Google.org also often sets up a page where people around the world can make donations to different relief organizations. The service has been used in the past during floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes.
Other websites are also offering help. OpenStreetMap has its own wiki page where people can add information about Typhoon Haiyan and a basemap to get those around the world involved in mapping the disaster. The Philippines' own Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards (NOAH) project has a page with map information, tweets about the event, as well as storm surge and tide forecast lists.
Known in the Philippines as Typhoon Yolanda, the tropical cyclone has already caused widespread devastation according to reports as well as injuries and deaths. Scientists have recorded sustained wind speeds of up to 196 mph and gusts reaching 235 mph from the storm, which made landfall in the Philippines this morning.
Know of other crisis mapping for the typhoon? Let us know in the comments.
