Gustav Wiki: rapid-response social media for natural disasters

Jessica Clark

Finding it excruciating to watch Gustav creep ever-closer to the Gulf? Channel your anxiety into knowledge and action over at the Gustav Wiki, where volunteers are tracking the storm and aggregating resources for assistance, relocation, donations, volunteer housing, ham radio communications and more. The wiki was based on a similar shared resource built during Hurricane Katrina; volunteers are needed to help update info.

While the Wiki hosts static content, real-time online discussions are happening over at the Gustav Information Center, a social network created by NPR's Andy Carvin. Members are sharing strategies for tracking the situation on the ground, and getting the word out via new platforms. For those without internet, volunteers like Mark A.M. Kramer—based in Salzburg, Austria—are working to channel information sharing into text messaging and voicemail. Carvin is also working with Craig Newmark of Craigslist to figure out how to aggregate local offers for people to stay.

These resources are changing hour-by-hour, so tune in regularly for updates.