Social Media Plays A Big Role In Relief Efforts In Texas

We can see the heart wrenching personal stories coming from South Eastern Texas and viral videos all across social media in real time.

Columbia, SC (WOLO) — “It’s pretty amazing how the story can go deep and go far and can reach millions with a click on your smartphone,” Dr. Heather Brandt said, who has studied social media’s impact with the floods that happened in Columbia in 2015.

PEW Research has shown that four out of five adults are using social media platforms. Which agencies from law enforcement to the Red Cross are taking full advantage of, especially in an event like Hurricane Harvey.

“We use it every day, all day long. Social media has become a part of Law enforcement,” Katelyn Jasak said, a RCSD Deputy with the public relations office. 

“With our flood as well as what’s going on in Houston, a lot of it was changing pretty rapidly.  So for us to be able to keep up with that, social media really helped keep it real when we had to move a shelter because different places were compromised. As well as to our donors and to the people,” Rebecca Jordan said, Red Cross Exec. Dir. of Central SC. 

From watching the videos on Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, and Instagram, it’s allowing law enforcement to not only get their messages out, but see who still needs help.

“We might not know about something going on until it’s shared with us on social media. That happens all the time. And then we can step in and we can help, and do our jobs and that’s what we want to do,” Jasak said. 

“We also see social media as an important tool for demonstrating the resiliency and community strengths that we see exhibited by people bringing their own boats and rescuing those who have fallen victim to the torrential rainfall and flooding,” Dr. Brandt said. 

Watching the stories pour in reminds those here in the midlands about the hardships ahead for the South Eastern Texas area making a connection from all the way over here.

“I watched some of the rescues through social media and very clearly feel as if it’s Oct. 4th, 2015 here in the Midlands. So I do think it helps create that sense of connection,” Dr. Brandt said. 

It is even assisted in fundraising relief efforts. JJ Watts started a fundraiser with a goal of raising $200 thousand. They made that in less than 2 hours. Now,  he has raised more than 3.25 million. Even facebook has got in on the action, saying they’ll match up to $1 million in donations made on their page.  

“Even on facebook this morning, I did my donation this morning right off of facebook’s link, so it makes it very easy,” Jordan said.