Facebook, Twitter Connects Tornado Victims

After one of the worst tornadoes in American history, which killed at least 89 people and limited traditional phone services, residents of the mid-size community of 50,000 began sharing their accounts of the disaster and information on social media sites, which weren't interrupted and were close at hand.

Haunting images and terrifying personal accounts were posted and streamed, showing heartbreaking scenes of the damage the twister wrought, conveying messages of sorrow, need and hope. Prayers were sent using social networks in the early hours after the storm, with money and sweat equity to follow.

A few Facebook pages, including Joplin Tornado Info, and Joplin People Account for After the Storm, were set up for photo posting, updates and a place to exchange information about those who have been found, and those still missing.

Information on Twitter started emerging with people sharing on hashtags #Joplin and #KSStorms, another example of how social quickly ascended to play a primary role in initial rescue and recovery efforts, and began an instant documentation of events.

Photos and videos were also posted on Flickr, YouTube and other sharing sites, and personal accounts of the aftermath, as well as ongoing rescue and rebuilding efforts, debuted on social media sites.

Immediately after the tornado struck, national news television networks were often using and referring to these accounts to broadcast coverage of the event.

In addition to news websites and social networks to document the destruction, other Web-based projects have emerged to help with the cleanup and rescue efforts, springing up to provide timely information and support for those affected by the damage.

The American Red Cross created a "Safe and Well" resource for people to list themselves as among those who are safe and well, so rescuers can keep track of the missing.

The State of Missouri, trying to vet the volunteers who want to self-deploy, has put out an online call to health care professionals so those with a license in good standing with the Missouri Division of Professional Registration can sign up.

In addition, aid organizations are encouraging financial donations using text messages. By texting "REDCROSS" to 90999, people will be able to donate $10 to the American Red Cross, and by texting "CONVOY" to 50555, they can send a $10 donation to the Convoy of Hope, a group sending supplies and crews from Springfield, Mo. to Joplin, Mo.

Local businesses in and around the town, a quarter of which has been destroyed, have turned to social media to connect with their community, provide damage reports and assist in response efforts.

For example, power company Westar Energy and wireless carrier Verizon have been deploying teams to the area to restore services and assist in recovery efforts and are issuing updates on their websites, Facebook pages and Twitter accounts. Verizon is also sending three temporary cell towers, along with other resources to help the area.

These first-hand accounts from those on the ground where the tornado stuck echo those from the death of Osama Bin Laden earlier this month, when amateur journalists were more quickly able to disseminate a compelling narrative on the spot. While coordinated efforts to document the event were assembling, local everyday people filled the gap through social, with cameras, keyboards and touch screens in hand, taking advantage of what has emerged as a major conduit to stay connected to each other and to the world.