Councils use Twitter for extreme weather advice

It’s good to see that local councils, increasingly, are using social media to keep in contact with residents.

And the trend is quickly proving its value.  In the UK, for example, authorities including the Lichfield and Babeth district councils used popular micro-blogging site, Twitter, to pass on information and liaise with residents during the recent severe snow storms.

At the same time, Newcastle City Council (UK) used Twitter to keep parents informed of school closures.

Latest figures from the United Kingdom showed that more than 20 councils have switched much of their communications activity to Twitter, while 40 individual councillors are also using the micro-blogger.

It’s activity like this that led to a 1,000% increase in the use of Twitter in the UK alone in the past year.

In Australia’s recent heat wave conditions, Wyong Shire Council in New South Wales used Twitter to keep residents updated on weather forecasts; fire locations and daily UV levels, as well as passing on advice on health problems that can be caused by hot weather; ways of avoiding bushfire smoke inhalation; pet comfort and garden survival.

As smoke swept across much of the Wyong area, the council helped dampen public unease by keeping its Twitter followers advised of the location of serious fires.

When terrible bushfires wiped out entire towns in the Australian State of Victoria, the Premier, John Brumby, used Twitter to call for donations and other assistance. Twitter users put out details of emergency centres; passed on fire service information; and mobilised to help galvanise community assistance. They were joined by people on Facebook, who formed groups to attract donations for fire victims.

Ian