When preparing for a natural disaster, most people would begin by stocking up on necessities like non-perishable food items, water, batteries, and flashlights.  But in today’s high tech society, there is one more piece of equipment you may want to look into having at your side:  a computer, smartphone and/or tablet.
As hurricane Isaac came roaring, or should I more accurately say “sauntering” in, it was natural for us to grab the closest link to our social networks and post anything and everything going on around us.  
But what if I told you that this is not a negative trait we all hold?  This incessant need to be in the know all the time can actually come in handy when you find yourself in the middle of a hurricane.  Let me explain.
As Facebook, Twitter and Instagram began oozing with pictures and posts of how hurricane Isaac was “ruining all of our lives”, I began to see more important things happening.  People began giving, as well as getting, information.  
News outlets posted all of the latest updates on what government officials were saying about our homes and our towns.  Without power, getting news from television stations was out of the question.  Smartphones, and access to social media was the new way to get, as well as to give, information.  
In a comment posted to the Facebook wall of WDSU Channel 6, a resident of Slidell posted, “Thankful for getting updates via Fb.  My power is out and we are flooded here in Slidell.”
Without the technology of social media, those without access to power would have had no information during the duration of the storm.  
Another Louisiana resident commented on the Facebook wall of WDSU Channel 6 saying, “Can you update Facebook on Venice-Boothville, La?”  Information was gained through another commenter saying, “Venice and Boothville seem to be okay.  There is no flooding…Some damage.”  Ordinary people outside of the journalistic and news outlet world were able to communicate during a time when communication was vital.  
But this communication did not stop with the end of the bad weather.  Those who remained without power long after Isaac left were still able to gain information on things such as curfews, boil advisories, road closures and evacuations.  
On Twitter, the Times Picayune tweeted, “New Orleans curfew will be enforced” and “Storm surge updates and other information from the Army Corps of Engineers,” linking information to those looking for answers about their homes.
Even Entergy New Orleans tweeted on Aug. 29, “Already making progress on outages.  Had 161K in Orleans Parish at 6 a.m.  Now at 10:15 a.m. down to 156K.  Crews are happy to be working.”  This simple statement may have eased the minds of some residents anxious to have power back, letting them know that crews are working to restore it.
Social media sites are not only used to release important information and positive feedback. Some use sites, such as Facebook, for ways to express negative opinions and frustrations with the happenings around them.
Amie Lynn, a Facebook user, posted a comment that went viral not only through Facebook’s site but all over the Internet.  Screen shots were posted on websites all over the country of her boisterous opinion of those living in the path of Hurricane Isaac.  
Lynn commented, “I am tired of the rest of the world feeling sorry for [New Orleans]…there are other things happening in this world that do not revolve around you!”  
Lynn spoke of how those living in the region, known for its devastation from past storms, should consider moving to other places away from water.  Those in the southern region argue, saying no matter where they go there will always be natural disasters, whether there are tornadoes, forest fires, earthquakes or blizzards.  
No matter what the natural disaster is that hits close to your home, Hurricane Isaac has shown us that even in times vital for communication, social media can be a key to staying safe and protecting those around you.  
So next time when we are all preparing for a hurricane, or whatever natural disaster we are facing, don’t forget to grab your smart phone and post all that you know! It may save someone in need!