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(Image source: Google)
BY KERRY LEARY ANCHOR MEGAN MURPHY
As the East Coast
prepares for 900-mile wide Hurricane Sandy, the Google Crisis Response team has done something
to help--- it assembled a Hurricane Sandy map to track its progress and provide emergency
update information. Here’s HLN.
“Hurricane Sandy is getting stronger. We have a great
tool to help you look out for your loved ones. Google has an interactive map where you can
watch Sandy's path and see any emergency alerts and evacuation routes.”
The interactive
map is complete with a forecast track, cloud imagery, evacuation zones, traffic conditions,
flood zone estimates and red cross emergency shelters. Along with many other personalizations.
The
map is the latest from Google’s response project. It previously offered maps for the
2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, the 2012 wildfire season and the deepwater horizon
spill in 2012. PC Mag has more on the Hurricane Sandy map.
“..It's important to note
that this isn't simply a map with static graphics and an array of clickable location pins displayed
… it contain[s] vital information for local residents and concerned observers.”
The
map’s data is collected from multiple sources including the NOAA National Hurricane Center
and the U.S. Naval Research laboratory. Experts predict the storm will affect about 50 million
people.