: Social Media and Risk Communications
Question 1
Traditional media changed between hurricane Katrina and Sandy. Katrina was the most damaging disaster as it resulted in a significant amount of property damage and human life loss. Whereas Hurricane Katrina resulted in the loss of over one thousand lives (Kaleem & Wallace, 2012), Hurricane Sandy resulted in the loss of over one hundred lives (Sharp, 2012). Hurricane Katrina took place in 2005, which means that social media was not a popular mode of communication. It, therefore, means that information sharing and communication varied between the two hurricanes. Social media channels such as Face book as well as internet use was more prevalent in 2012 than in 2005. Safety issues, for example, were highlighted more during hurricane Sandy than in Hurricane Katrina. It was, therefore, easier to have real-time information during hurricane Sandy than hurricane Katrina. As such, the rescue was made easier in the former hurricane than in the recent storm.
Question 2
Social media outlets such as Twitter, Face book, and YouTube during hurricane Sandy was not popular. Media outlet such as Face book was popular. However, Twitter and YouTube were not as popular, which means that social media use was limited. During Hurricane Katrina, Twitter and YouTube were popular, which means social media use was not limited. Communication during the disasters was limited in the former and unlimited in the latter scenario. Rescue efforts were thus more profound during hurricane Sandy than Katrina. Acquiring assistance and recovery efforts after Hurricane Sandy was made easier as opposed to hurricane Katrina. Global awareness of hurricane Sandy was, therefore, more prominent during and after Hurricane Sandy.
Question 3
The inclusion of communication specialists assists in identifying the best channels, technologies, and strategies of relaying information. Truth-telling is instrumental in determining the scope of the disaster. Downplaying the impact could be detrimental as it would result in a lack of seriousness as regards safety measures. Providing information that focuses on the ongoing situation keeps the public and government aware of the changes taking place. Changes, in this case, could be the number of victims displaced or number people dead. Partnering with media outlets facilitate s communication. People are kept abreast of the disaster as regards to safety measures and any assistance needed. Relief, for example, is significantly impacted by social media platforms. Facebook and Twitter, for example, played a significant role in calling for people to offer any form of assistance. People in distress also used the media to highlight their plight, therefore, making a rescue possible in situations where it would not have been possible. Social media also breaks barriers by reaching a global audience as it has a broader reach.
Question 4
First responders are involved in handling hazards (Bullock et al. 2017, p2), such as the two hurricanes. Power outages were more during hurricane Sandy than hurricane Katrina (Kaleem & Wallace, 2012). It, therefore, means that infrastructure plans were not adequately handled during hurricane Sandy. The number of deaths was, however, significantly reduced despite the higher number of people affected. It, therefore, means that rescue plans were better during hurricane Sandy than during hurricane Katrina. A storm surge results from a high level of water above the average level (National Weather Service, 2012). The use of social media significantly affected both rescue and recovery measures during hurricane Sandy. The high death toll during hurricane Katrina resulted in better contingency planning that involved alternative communication channels.
References
Bullock, J.A., Haddow, G.D., & Coppola, D.P. (2017). Homeland security: The essentials (2nd
ed.). Cambridge, MA: Butterworth-Heinemann Publications
Kaleem, J., & Wallace, T. (2012). HuffPost is now a part of Verizon Media. Huffpost.com.
Retrieved 16 April 2020, from https://www.huffpost.com/entry/hurricane-sandy-vs-katrina-infographic_n_2072432.
National Weather Service. (2012). Hurricane Sandy. Weather.gov. Retrieved 16 April 2020,
from https://www.weather.gov/okx/HurricaneSandy.
Sharp, T. (2012). Superstorm Sandy: Facts About the Frankenstorm. livescience.com. Retrieved
16 April 2020, from https://www.livescience.com/24380-hurricane-sandy-status-data.html.