Date:24/08/11
In response to the 5.8 magnitude earthquake that hit Virginia yesterday, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator, Craig Fugate has been using his Twitter account and other internet platforms to advise the public and explain that this quake is a reminder for disaster preparedness.
The earthquake which has not caused any deaths or collapsed buildings and bridges stuck the Virginia region in the US yesterday at 1:51 pm (EDT), causing moderate tremors and several aftershocks across the east coast from Atlanta to New York City that was felt by millions and according to the New York Times, led to evacuations of the White House and New York City’s Mayor’s, Michael Bloomberg, office amongst others.
Fugate took quickly to Twitter, writing, “Just felt the earthquake at FEMA, HQ”, with a link to the United States Geological Survey’s (USGS) map of the earthquake zone.
He also quickly directed followers to FEMA’s earthquake preparedness mobile site with information on what to do before, during and after an earthquake.
And to relieve overloaded cellphone networks, the Department of Homeland Security told Americans via Twitter to “tell friends/family you are OK via text, email and social media (@twitter and facebook.com). Avoid Calls.”
This message was subsequently retweeted by the White House’s official account. Washington, DC’s Fire and Emergency Medical Services agency reported on its Twitter feed that there had been damage to the National Cathedral and the Ecuador Embassy, and evacuations at the Old Soldiers Home.
Notify NYC, New York City’s official source for emergency information, tweeted an hour after the quake that there had been “no reports of major damage, injuries, transit, or utility disruptions in NYC at this time”.
Bloomberg himself used his official Twitter account to urge building owners to inspect their buildings for damages and said that the city was doing the same for bridges at major river crossings.
US government responds online to quake
In response to the 5.8 magnitude earthquake that hit Virginia yesterday, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator, Craig Fugate has been using his Twitter account and other internet platforms to advise the public and explain that this quake is a reminder for disaster preparedness.The earthquake which has not caused any deaths or collapsed buildings and bridges stuck the Virginia region in the US yesterday at 1:51 pm (EDT), causing moderate tremors and several aftershocks across the east coast from Atlanta to New York City that was felt by millions and according to the New York Times, led to evacuations of the White House and New York City’s Mayor’s, Michael Bloomberg, office amongst others.
Fugate took quickly to Twitter, writing, “Just felt the earthquake at FEMA, HQ”, with a link to the United States Geological Survey’s (USGS) map of the earthquake zone.
He also quickly directed followers to FEMA’s earthquake preparedness mobile site with information on what to do before, during and after an earthquake.
And to relieve overloaded cellphone networks, the Department of Homeland Security told Americans via Twitter to “tell friends/family you are OK via text, email and social media (@twitter and facebook.com). Avoid Calls.”
This message was subsequently retweeted by the White House’s official account. Washington, DC’s Fire and Emergency Medical Services agency reported on its Twitter feed that there had been damage to the National Cathedral and the Ecuador Embassy, and evacuations at the Old Soldiers Home.
Notify NYC, New York City’s official source for emergency information, tweeted an hour after the quake that there had been “no reports of major damage, injuries, transit, or utility disruptions in NYC at this time”.
Bloomberg himself used his official Twitter account to urge building owners to inspect their buildings for damages and said that the city was doing the same for bridges at major river crossings.
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