Is there a site which tracks disaster aftermath?

[OneGrassRoot]

How many deaths, how many missing?

Our media has the attention span of a gnat, so the most recent horrific tragedy is forgotten all too easily.

The Tuscaloosa area was ravaged less than a month ago. I thought there were over 200 deaths in Alabama alone from that tornado event?

They're saying Joplin had the most deaths -- maybe because it was one tornado, versus a "tornado event"?

:shrug:

The number comparisons really don't matter. It's all horrific and beyond tragic. I mention it simply because our national media has a tabloid approach to everything, even natural disasters, and move along to the next disaster without following up on the previous ones.

So, I was wondering if there's one site that tracks these events and the aftermath, or must one simply Google to find local info?

Godspeed to all in harm's way, and suffering in the aftermath.

:cry:

:grouphug:

[Sherman A1]

1. Agreed

There is still need for help in NOLA, Haiti and many other areas. Just because the media moves on to the next thing, the suffering and need for help remains.

[liberal N proud]

2. It is the media and their incessant need to sensationalize everything

[Hannah Bell]

3. good question. i don't have an answer.

[lunatica]

4. You're right

But in all fairness (not to the media, but to us) the disasters seem to be coming faster and faster. I feel like we're getting whiplash. It's seemed that way for me since the Gulf oil disaster. Each disaster seems to be as bad or worse than the last one. The disaster of Japan is something we're totally unprepared for too. What can any normal citizen do about it? It's scary to contemplate how it's completely out of our power to do anything about so much is.

I don't think we're forgetting the disasters as much as having to assimilate new ones too soon. We barely get a chance to wrap our heads around them before another mind boggling event happens. Right now we're trying to get an sense of the tornadoes wreaking so much damage. It's a bit of a shell shock thing.

[OneGrassRoot]

6. Oh, I agree....

It is traumatic and we are all shell-shocked even as observers, let alone those directly affected. It must be hard for the media to follow since they are occurring so frequently.

I was just trying to find a way to stay abreast of the aftermath -- so as not to forget the incredible need all around and stay informed -- and couldn't find an easy way to do so.

One site devoted to that would be so helpful.

But I ranted about media in the process. ;)

:hi:

[Little Star]

5. I agree with you the media just moves on. I wish there was a site...

tracking disaster aftermath.

[bobbolink]

12. "Progressives" move on.

[dixiegrrrrl]

7. This site has summary of tornado hits/deaths so far this year:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110526/ap_on_re_us/us_midwest_storms_by_the_numbers

[OneGrassRoot]

8. How odd....

they don't even list Alabama.

I scanned the comments and gleaned more comprehensive information from people sharing the stats about their areas than the actual article.

With these storms and other natural disasters occurring so frequently, no doubt someone will create a site to keep track of things and the affects on the local areas after the event.

Heck, this is the kind of thing I may do myself if I don't find it elsewhere.

Thanks for the link, dixiegrrrl! :)

[bobbolink]

18. "No doubt"?

There was never any tracking about the women and children left homeless after Clinton's welfare deform.

Or tracking on how many died as a result.

Some of us have seen the lack of any kind of concern for a long time now.

[OneGrassRoot]

19. While this affects those most vulnerable, this isn't about poverty, per se....

since others, in addition to those living in poverty, are affected by these events.

Maybe that will enable the aftermath to get more attention, to include the effects on the most vulnerable, of course.

I'll join you in your unwavering criticism and discontent for today, as today I feel everything and everyone sucks.

But I realize my negativity won't accomplish shit, and it feels like shit.

Yet, misery seems to love company...at least here at DU.

[bobbolink]

22. You missed the point. Ignoring people in poverty has gone on for years, but it was ignored.

Now that is being seen as it affects the middleclass, so NOW it is being noticed.

As another DUer keeps saying, "We tried to warn you."

So, yes... EVERYTHING *is* about poverty... it is a warning of what is coming next to *your* theater.

Ignore poverty at your (pl.) own peril.

[OneGrassRoot]

23. I knew exactly what you meant and understood your point....

Trust me, you are very effective at making your point -- which needs to be made strongly and repeatedly.

Whatever it takes to make the topic noticed is a good thing, imho, even if it's unfair in how it came about or that it took too long.

If those who previously had homes no longer do as a result of natural disasters, and more are then able to empathize with the plight of those who are homeless and/or living in poverty, that is one positive takeaway from the tragedies -- so long as action is taken to alleviate the suffering and it's not just more "reporting" about it.

[bobbolink]

24. The point is, there WON'T be action.

Charity is supposed to take care of it all.

[OneGrassRoot]

26. okay n/t

[bobbolink]

28. I know its OK. That's why it continues.

[OneGrassRoot]

31. Here's why you confuse me:

You seem to have SOME semblance of hope or faith in humanity or else you wouldn't post here at all to try to educate people, yet what you post seems to indicate -- with an all-knowing authority -- that NOTHING will ever be done or change for the better.

Certainly not by progressives.

Do you post simply to vent? If so, you're in good company, as that's primarily the purpose online sites seem to serve.

:shrug:

[bobbolink]

32. Its quite simple. I posted the history.... recent history, in fact. NOTHING has changed.

There is NO reason to think that the housing in Tuscaloosa will be replaced any more than the housing in NOLA was replaced.

I think that should be pretty clear from what I posted.

Yet, you question my motives, and seem to be inviting me not to post.

You also seem to be insulted that I point out that "progressisves" aren't doing any more about the crisis in low-income housing than are the conservatives.

So, you show me where "progressives" are actively working to create low-income housing, to stop the demolition of such, in any meaningful way. If you truly have read what I post, then you know that I give credit where credit is due.

I will NOT paste on a smile and say everything is wonderful when it isn't.

It is my lack of "positive thinking" that is what so many here don't like.

None of that is "confusing".

[OneGrassRoot]

33. There you go again. Never mind.

"Yet, you question my motives, and seem to be inviting me not to post."

For what it's worth, I've been reading your posts for YEARS. It's the impression based on the totality of your posts, not one post, that led me to ask the question.

Interacting with you is one of the things in life I find to be hopeless.

Good luck. You should probably put me on ignore, yet again.

[bobbolink]

34. As I thought. It wasn't actually a sincere question. No big surprise there.

Your disdain is always there, no matter what I say.

"LOVE" in action, I guess. :shrug:

Simply because I talk against charity as the answer to all problems. That is our difference of opinion, and trying to discredit me because I don't agree with your charity premise is distinctly lacking in "LOVE".

[OneGrassRoot]

35. Dear Goddess, you assume and misinterpret more than anyone...

I have ever encountered, online or in the real world.

Or do you simply enjoy to engage in pissing matches?

It was a genuine question. It's one thing for the vast majority of your posts to point out the fact that nothing has been done, or not enough has been done, but what puzzles me is when you say with such conviction that NOTHING WILL EVER be done.

To me that implies hopelessness, so I wonder why you continue to try to educate when you feel it's hopeless and that no one will ever do anything?

I realize past experience (and present experience) leads you to feel this way, but....geez.....as I said, interacting with you is hopeless.

And where in the hell did I talk about charity? I'm for justice, not charity.

You are itching for a fight -- especially from certain people, and I'm one of them. I won't give you that satisfaction any more. You're on ignore, so neither of us has to waste precious energy on such interactions here again.

I honestly don't give a shit what you or anyone else thinks of me.

edit for typo and to add the last line

[bobbolink]

36. I answered genuinely and sincerely and got a personal attack, just as now.

That's "compassion" and "love".

YOU chose to make it a personal thing.. I was explaining to you about low-income housing being ignored. That should be important to "progressives". There IS no response to why "progressives" aren't actively promoting low-income housing or actively working to prevent demolition of existing structures. SO, the rebuttal can't be factual, since there is none, so rather than admit the obvious, the personal attacks commence.

Since that level is continuing, there is no point to further discussion. Personal attacks solve nothing, and certainly don't either add to the information about who is suffering from the tornadoes (poor and homeless people), or who has the facts about it.

I posted facts. I got insults in return.

"COMPASSION"

[kentauros]

9. As usual, it's best to get your news from outside the US.

I don't know of one site that compiles it all, except perhaps the NWS/NOAA from a strictly historical point of view, so you might try them.

Here's a follow-up story in the NZ Herald, with regard to the Joplin tornado:

Post-tornado search focuses on stores, apartments

Even GD slacks off on finding and reporting this stuff. The Weather Forum isn't visited any more (last post there from February) so it's not just the US media losing interest...

[OneGrassRoot]

10. It really is news of the aftermath|recovery I'm most interested in....

not just the stats.

Good point about international news; it's always better.

:hi:

[kentauros]

20. You can also go with the local news.

They will usually hang onto a story long after everyone else has moved on. Here's one for Tuscaloosa and they seem to still have stories on their recovery:

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com

You'll probably have to just compile your own set of sites, versus finding a single one that covers it all.

:hi:

[OneGrassRoot]

21. Yes, I was hoping there was a site that compiled the local news feeds...

to help people stay abreast of the aftermath.

I may have found a way to create that very thing myself.

Gracias!

:hi:

[OneGrassRoot]

30. Check out my post #29 below. :) n/t

[bobbolink]

11. Low-income housing was destroyed in NOLA. What was left was DEMOLISHED.

Poor people ended up killing themselves.

It didn't matter. :cry:

Low-income housing was destroyed in Tuscaloosa. I don't see "progressives" paying attention to what is happening to those people left homeless. I sincerely doubt it will be replaced. There just isn't the interest.

Joplin? What is happening to poor people there?

Does it matter?

I see no evidence that it does.

None.

[xmas74]

15. I know that local churches are offering what they can.

There was talk at church the other day about offering relocation assistance for Joplin, since it would still be in-state.

Right now, with some of those in Congress, we don't know if Joplin will even have funding.

[bobbolink]

17. I'm sure the churches will rebuild the housing.

:eyes:

[xmas74]

37. I know they won't.

Most of the local can't afford to.

I do know that quite a few were working on relocation, since most can't even stay in the town right now. They have to have passes just to get in town.


The churches and charitable organizations are short term. The fight is for long term government assistance, which asses like Cantor are attempting to hold hostage.

[OneGrassRoot]

16. It matters. It's awful. :( n/t

[xmas74]

13. Joplin had the most from just one tornado.

They tend to get in depth with it where I live because it's close and it's a place many around here know.

[OneGrassRoot]

14. Thanks, that's what I figured....

Since the Alabama event involved multiple tornadoes, albeit simultaneously, versus Joplin's one horrific tornado, that's why that stat is being thrown out.

Thanks for clarifying. :hi:

[barbtries]

25. i think you need to google for local sources

anyway that's what i do. was there life before google

[OneGrassRoot]

27. LOL...I don't know how I existed before the Internet. ;) n/t

[OneGrassRoot]

29. I you guys can feed me local sources....

I found a platform to gather and "sift" through the news. I could eventually separate it into geographic areas and/or by event, I think.

Check this out

[sabrina 1]

38. Thank you for asking that question. We were just talking about

it last night, how we never hear about what happened to the people in thise disaster areas.

The media should go back and keep the focus on the people who were affected and how they are doing, what they need etc. It is so upsetting actually, not to know what happened to them.

And it doesn't have to be from long ago. What is happening to those who were flooded by the Missiissipi just a week ago or so? I think the media can focus on only one event at a time and what that does is minimize the tragedies as it rolls them all into one, whatever the latest is.

Btw, I want to thank you for what you are doing to try to make this a better world. We all try in our own way and many don't talk about what they do. But I know that without people like you this would be a far worse place than it is for so many people.
:-)

[OneGrassRoot]

39. You're very kind. :) Look what I've discovered!

I'm learning how to use an online platform that is in beta, and to which I was fortunate to receive an invitation to be a "curator."

I'm learning how to separate the news items into sections (tornado, hurricane, floods, etc. -- Alabama, Missouri, etc.).

If I can find good local sources for the myriad disasters and get a system set up, this could be the one resource I was trying to find!

Disaster Aftermath

Maybe others here will help feed good links for the local areas where these disasters occurred, including Japan, Iceland and the many other areas affected by natural disasters. Then again, maybe I should stay focused on the States at first...until I learn how to use this better.


I've been playing with it over the last few days with regard to other topics I'm passionate about: Community Development, Cooperatives|Co-ops, and Entrepreneurship.

Very cool find for this research geek!

:bounce:

Anyway, thank you again. :hug:

[sabrina 1]

40. That really is cool! I wish the media would assign a reporter

to follow up on the aftermath also. Maybe they just need people to let them know they are interested? As more of these disasters occur, or it seems there are more, I think the question you raised becomes more important also. Maybe the media hasn't had enough requests, but it would be good to know how people are helped, the most successful programs, how the insurance corps. met their obligations etc.

And you're welcome, I meant it :-)

[OneGrassRoot]

41. That's true...

Most local news orgs have a community reporter, or something similar. I'm in touch with a few local ones, maybe I can ask how that works?

:hi:

[sabrina 1]

42. Let us know what they say!

:-)