The use of social media in natural hazard early warning systems

The recent growth in technology and use of social media provides an opportunity for additional streams of information for decision making, and channels for disseminating early warning and risk information. This document outlines some of the ways social media can be used in natural hazard early warning systems, providing examples of where it is already being used.

Information and knowledge about a natural hazard event as it unfolds are vital to ensure effective preparedness and response to disasters. Those responsible for making decisions in advance of and in response to disasters need to know as much as they can about what the situation is and how it is unfolding. Citizens affected on the ground need to know how to stay safe or where they can obtain supplies.

Applications developed using Web 2.0 technologies, such as social media sites, blogs, wikis etc., have had a profound impact on people’s ability to interact and collaborate, and to generate, share and access content publically and instantaneously through virtual environments.

The growth in technology and use of social media offers an opportunity for supplementary and complementary information alongside existing sources. Social media data can collect additional information to monitor hazards, assess exposure and vulnerability, guide disaster response, assess the resilience of natural systems, and engage with communities.