Disasters in the Internet age

Disasters in the Internet age: "Disasters in the Internet age
The Internet -- more than any other tool -- is proving to be a significant means of communication during disasters

BY Dibya Sarkar
Published on Oct. 31, 2005

On Sept. 15, through a private Web site called LATalk.org, Ruby pleaded for help. She asked whether anyone knew the whereabouts of her three aunts, who were missing since Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana Aug. 29. She wrote that she had already searched through many Web sites established to help people find family and friends.

Several weeks later she wrote: 'Does anybody read these things for real? If I just had a phone number or a way to talk to somebody. I need to find my aunts. Please, please help. It's been a month now. HELP, please.'"