Google launches Public Alerts, shows local disaster information in Maps
Google, why has the tide suddenly receded? And why am I all alone on a sunny beach? Starting today with the rollout of Public Alerts, not only will Google tell you that you’re the last to learn of an impending tsunami, it’ll show you just how thoroughly fucked you’re about to be, too.
Public Alerts, you see, pumps relevant disaster information into Google Maps, where it’s spit out as helpful text and an image of the affected, or soon-to-be-affected area. All you have to do is call up Maps and input your current location along with a keyword, like “disaster” or “tidal wave,” before your phone’s waterlogged and washed out to sea.
Google gave a rundown of the new service in blog post today, probably timed to distract from the new privacy policy that’s got the company running for cover.
If a major weather event is headed for your area, you might go online to search for the information you need: What’s happening? Where and when will it strike? How severe will it be? What resources are available to help?
The Google Crisis Response team works on providing critical emergency information during crises. Our goal is to surface emergency information through the online tools you use everyday [sic], when that information is relevant and useful.
Public Alerts on Google Maps pools need-to-know weather, public safety, and earthquake alerts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Weather Service, and U.S. Geological Survey.
Source: Techmeme
