Social Media Communication Around Isaias Offers Vital Information
By: Seth Arenstein
August 5, 2020
The federal government and social media are targets of discontent. Just yesterday, we ran a post extolling 100 large companies. In it, one person argued these companies did more to keep the country going during the pandemic than the federal government. To blast social media, you need just two words: hate and speech. Yet the benefits of government and social media shine, often when the sun does not. During bad weather events, for example. In that way, government and social media are akin to crisis preparation. You hate to invest resources in it, but when an emergency hits, you’re glad you did. Similar to insurance.
Fortunately, Hurricane Isaias failed to do as much damage as predicted. Downgraded to a tropical storm Tuesday, it still claimed at least 8 lives and has left some 4 million Americans without power today along the East Coast. The Category 1 hurricane made landfall Monday night near Ocean Isle Beach, N.C.. It missed Florida. Still, with winds of 65 mph, it did a number on several states, including New York and New Jersey. As of 5 a.m. ET today, it was en route to Canada with winds at 40 mph, a tropical cyclone. It is expected to dissipate over Canada tomorrow.
Isaias could not have come at a worse time for communicators. News about the pandemic and the elections are overwhelming Americans. The volume and speed of news are major annoyances, a Gallup/Knight study released yesterday says. The mix of news and non-news online, including social media, is the most cited reason (72 percent) for the overload. The study of 20,000 Americans says one result is that nearly 20 percent of people stop paying attention to the news.
Still, plenty of people continue to follow news on social media. That’s why several government departments, federal and state, communicated Isaias news, almost constantly, via social, during the weekend and continuing through today. The National Hurricane Center post below is particularly useful
12 PM EDT August 4 update: Strong winds, heavy rainfall, and tornadoes occurring over southern New Jersey and southeastern Pennsylvania will continue to spread northward across the mid-Atlantic coast this afternoon. For detailed local info visit https://t.co/SiZo8ozBbn #Isaias pic.twitter.com/hgdEiSMjzC
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) August 4, 2020
Some of the most important aspects of bad weather communication include convincing people to take shelter. Since several spots in the country are prone to storms, some residents are veteran storm survivors. It’s hard to convince them to take shelter.
The post below shows how official info combined with a private citizen’s insight can alert people to know what’s coming. Mike Seidel, the longtime Weather Channel meteorologist, also was on duty throughout the weekend, providing input for viewers (see below post).
It seemed like it was over here in north jersey skies were blue but not out of nowhere we’ve been getting 50-60 mph wind gusts
— chrisAbbate (@antaeuswards1) August 4, 2020
#Hurricane Watch is up for Georgetown/Myrtle Beach SC north to Surf City, NC including Wrightsville/Topsail Beach:https://t.co/fXQNxxp6bM#Isaias forecast to make landfall early Tuesday. The latest timing/impacts on @weatherchannel
We're live from Cocoa Beach. pic.twitter.com/IV1KPGwTgC— Mike Seidel (@mikeseidel) August 2, 2020
Few but avid weather watchers take advantage of the country’s impressive satellite fleet maintained by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The unit, which owing to a bureaucratic quirk, is under the purview of the Commerce Department, and maintains a terrific Twitter feed. When bad weather is on the horizon, there are few better information sources. Look at the post below, which shows Isaias progressing up from the Atlantic.
It's #TimeLapseTuesday again!
Here we can see the evolution of #Isaias via #GOESEast as it traveled up from the Atlantic, through the Caribbean Sea, and made landfall as a Category-1 #hurricane late Monday night near Ocean Isle Beach, N.C.
More info: https://t.co/zknxJ0JI73 pic.twitter.com/hB8TYwj2sF
— NOAA Satellites (@NOAASatellites) August 4, 2020
A more accessible look at NOAA satellite data is available from the feed its public affairs office maintains. Notice how the post informs visitors to get more updates from the National Hurricane Center’s site.
TROPICAL UPDATE: @NOAA's #GOES16🛰️ is warily watching #TropicalStormIsaias as it tracks along the Eastern Seaboard this evening. #Isaias is expected to strengthen to a #hurricane before landfall later tonight. Get the latest updates and warnings here: https://t.co/VTAp4gGkHs pic.twitter.com/A78Y0BFHg7
— NOAA Satellites – Public Affairs (@NOAASatellitePA) August 3, 2020
Lord knows, it’s not pleasant to lack power. Yet knowing that those who can help are aware of your situation is slightly more comforting. Props to WeatherChannel.com for spreading the word with the below post.
NEW: More than 1,000,000 customers are without power due to #Isaias. pic.twitter.com/L5f7XMMdKa
— The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) August 4, 2020
The office of Gov. Phil Murphy of New Jersey gets special props for conducting a master class in effective social media communication during Isaias. His almost non-stop retweets and tweets provided a bevy of useful information from New Jersey departments, such as the New Jersey Department of Transportation and Department of Health. The governor’s briefing also streamed live online, ensuring those without power could watch the session via mobile.
Tropical Storm Isaias is bringing heavy rainfall, high winds and flooding throughout the state. Stay safe, and if you don’t have to be out today, stay home. #TropicalStormIsaias #TurnAroundDontDrown #NJDOT pic.twitter.com/9JscPpxmbr
— NJDOT (@NewJerseyDOT) August 4, 2020
UPDATE: More than 1.3 million power outages have now been reported statewide.
Some of these outages may last for a few days due to the severity of the storm. We are working closely with the utilities to restore power as quickly and safely as possible. pic.twitter.com/cEJUxxmc3w
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) August 4, 2020
Are you prepared for a power outage? Follow these food safety tips:
🔘Keep refrigerator ,freezer doors closed as much as possible
🔘Use a food thermometer to check the temp of your food before consuming
🔘Throw away food with temps of 40+ degrees https://t.co/BVlL1qTqwo pic.twitter.com/OxQ84BTmHb
— NJDOH (@NJDeptofHealth) August 4, 2020
Tropical Storm Isaias Update
🔒Secure loose items outdoors
⚡️Charge up mobile devices ahead of the storm
🔦Report a power outage
🚗Turn Around, Don't Drown!
Visit https://t.co/j01XgnSC7V #ReadyNJ #TropicalStormIsaias #BeReady pic.twitter.com/KNWCW1h7qq— NJOEM🇺🇸 (@ReadyNJ) August 4, 2020
Reminder: If you see a downed wire, or a downed tree that has taken a power line with it, do not attempt to either drive or climb over it.
Stay clear, and leave it to the professionals.
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) August 5, 2020
I urge New Jerseyans to check https://t.co/WkEYkiuUhN and @ReadyNJ for:
🗣️Emergency updates
💡Generator safety tips
🔆Power outage information
📋Vital preparedness guidance— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) August 5, 2020
Giving an update on Tropical Storm Isaias. WATCH LIVE: https://t.co/gQPUlXHWgq
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) August 5, 2020
And a large bravo to volunteer groups like Crisis Cleanup, which posted quickly that its members were ready to help. Importantly, many of the institutions also offered their information in Spanish.
On Thurs Aug 6, 2020, the Home Cleanup Hotline will be open to support survivors of #HurricaneIsaias. We anticipate that most volunteer groups will work through Fri, Aug 28, 2020. Survivors needing help can call 844-965-1386. #HurricaneSeason #Hurricane #Isaias #CrisisCleanup
— Crisis Cleanup (@CrisisCleanup) August 5, 2020
Seth Arenstein is editor of PRNEWS and Crisis Insider