Social media lessons from Calgary flood highlighted in wake of Houston crisis

Calgary was a game-changer when it comes to communicatingduring natural disasters, according to the author of an article published this week on social networking duringemergencies.

The article, publishedfor Defence Research and Development Canada, references the 2013 floods as an example of how social media-organized volunteering can help get a city back on its feet quickly after disaster strikes.

It comes as catastrophic flooding continuesto pummel parts of Texas, with record rainfall from HurricaneHarvey wreaking havoc in Houston, including mass evacuations and rescues.

• Houston expected to get 17 times more rain than fell on Calgary during the 2013 flood

"I think it was just that willingness to engage the people ... and that the public can help and they're going to do more good than harm," said author Suzanne Waldman, with Defence Research and Development Canada's Centre for Security Science.

Waldman'sarticle looks at how social media can help emergency responders share information and keep on top of quickly changing situations and conditions, and can be used to rally and mobilize volunteers.

"You guys have this mayor who was willing to take a risk at the time, to talk to people on Twitter and to gather people to help out," she said. "Because they took the risk, they advanced the paradigm. The 'we can' attitude was really fantastic for Calgary to show a good example of working."

• Tropical storm Harvey: Worst may be yet to come as floodwaters recede

There are already countless examples coming out of Houston of social media in action.

With reports of 911 systems being overwhelmed, there are reports of some arrangingtheir own rescues from life-threatening situations using social media. People with boats have been mobilized to sail down city streets, with others taking to Twitter and Facebookto find, and offer, shelter, foodand clothing.

Houston police are usingTwitter as a communication channel, for calls to action and for responding topleas for help from residents who have Tweeted at them directly.

Itbrings back memories of 2013 forConst. Jeremy Shaw, digital communications officer with the Calgary Police Service.

"A lot of citizens were looking for information, which communities were evacuated, which communities were next to be evacuated," said Shaw. "The public are searching for quick and credible information."

• Hurricane Harvey survivors will face health risks even after emergency is over

"TheRCMPin High River phoned us looking for heavy equipment. They needed bobcats and loaders and boats, and we were able to put out a request for help on our social media channels. I don't know how else we would have done it," Shaw added.

The City of Calgary says social media quickly became one the city's primary communication channels during the 2013 flood, while at the same time providing a place for community action.

"While authorities are busy mitigating or responding to a situation, social gives community a place to connect and support each other," said Benjamin Morgan, lead for public relations and crisis with the city."The other advantage is influencers and the ability for our messages to be shared."

"One of the most amazing features we saw in 2013 was the organic conversation where community was helping community. Facebook groups evolved as well as posts on Kijijiwith people offering Calgarians a place to stay," Morgan said.

In Calgary's case, social media helped the city bounce back in weeks, rather than months, Waldman said.

Even with the might of social media, the scale of the disaster in Houston points to a recovery that ismore likely to takeyears.

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