In the face of nature’s fury, nations and their communities are often left to pick up the pieces amidst uncertainty and chaos. When a natural disaster looms (like in the case of hurricanes, fires, or tropical storms) or strikes unexpectedly (earthquakes or flash floods), an almost immediate instinct for victims and those affected is to seek answers and find lifelines that may help them weather the storm or access life-saving resources. In moments of crisis, one thing remains constant: an overwhelming surge of urgent online searches. 

We can address an opportunity for support and effective response by first considering the power of the search bar. While we might regularly take it for granted, our phones now serve as a digital beacon that has the potential to connect us to vital information. The internet serves as a lifeline that many of us turn to instinctively when disaster shows up. The Prometheus team asks: how can we harness this digital lifeline not just as a reaction to calamity, but as a proactive resource for disaster preparedness and response? 

By recognizing common search queries that often inundate search engines during and following natural disasters, we’ll explore options for leveraging comprehensive communications plans to maximize access to answers and information. Here’s what people are searching for in the wake of disaster: 

1. Emergency Contacts

This often includes first responders and POCs in the community. Police, fire departments, and hospitals are all critical touchpoints for residents needing urgent help. Common queries might look like: 

2. Safety Information and Guidance

Sometimes, residents aren’t well-versed on what to do in an emergency. Turning to their phones for help, they often seek information on how to stay safe during or after a disaster. Prompts like “how to stay safe during a hurricane” or “wildfire safety tips” are common. 

3. Evacuation Routes and Maps

If and when evacuations are necessary, especially for communities at an increased risk of wildfires or hurricanes, people search for evacuation routes and shelter locations in their areas. We can get ahead of searches like these by creating comprehensive evacuation plans, easy-to-follow maps, and instructions that can be shared ahead of disaster when possible. 

4. Weather Updates

Natural disasters are often unpredictable, but that doesn’t mean we can’t quickly distribute updates and alerts regarding dangerous weather events or changes to the forecast. Hurricane tracking, flood warnings, and real-time data should be relayed quickly and effectively to avoid confusion or delays for locals. 

5. Missing Persons and Displaced Citizens

An unfortunate reality is that oftentimes, disaster results in physical displacement for many, and a loss of life for some. Whether those displaced are attempting to get in contact with loved ones nearby, or families are searching for lost loved ones, missing persons information must be readily available and structured to provide clarity in times of trouble. Many seek to use social media or government-provided databases to share or exchange information about missing loved ones. 

6. Damage Overview and Assessment

For communities on the fringe of disaster or not directly impacted, search queries often center around the extent of the damage, danger zones, and affected areas or roadways. Search queries might look like:

7. Power and Utility Updates

Usually, critical utilities like water and electricity are impacted by storms and natural disasters. In deciding how to respond to a catastrophe, many residents will seek information about when they can expect utilities to be fully functioning. By sharing updates related to power outages, water supply, and disruptions to gas lines, nations can help their residents feel informed and manage expectations accordingly. 

9. Emergency Supplies

In the minutes, hours, and days following a natural disaster, many communities seek to find access to relevant emergency supplies, like food, water, first aid, or generators. Comprehensive preparedness plans address these needs and can help implement communications plans that allow information to be distributed promptly, reducing confusion and providing helpful information as quickly as possible.

10. Insurance Information

As the dust settles and residents seek to repair damages or rebuild their homes after disaster strikes, they may look for guidance to help them file insurance claims, access their coverage information, and find out what is or is not covered. While it may not seem like the responsibility of a government to provide direction here, doing so can drastically reduce anxieties and provide a sense of comfort to those impacted. Mental health and wellness should not be neglected during times of chaos.

Pet and animal safety, community support, recovery assistance, medical and health information, and communication updates are also common search queries and should be considered when preparing a disaster response plan. It’s important to consider the common needs and questions of affected communities when planning for preparedness, as it can eliminate scrambling and delays should the need arise.

How does an awareness of these common search queries help nations build better preparedness plans? It allows them to prepare answers to questions not yet asked. That way, in the unfortunate event that disaster does strike, leaders and organizations are prepared to efficiently distribute information and answers to these pressing questions. In doing so, we can maximize collaboration and provide resources to those who need them most.