Hurricane Sandy and Technology

As the northeast begins to dry out from the impact of Hurricane Sandy, I thought I might offer a run down on some of the top technology news during the crisis. The population and business density of NYC created a particular challenge in facing this stormfront. While I would have expected the big story to be about the lack of preparedness and infrastructure devastation, I am pleased to discover positives as well.

Power Outage
The storm did create power outages below 39th street, and I’m sure the long term ramifications of this outage are still to be determined. At the Garner Blog Network, Roberta J. Witty writes about the challenge of sufficient power backup plans in the midst of disaster. She suggests that power recovery is often one of the weakest links for businesses. Though they have backup power systems in place, these systems don’t always work due to poor maintenance, fuel problems (lack, stale, etc), human error, and more. The challenge is not only having a power backup plan, but making sure that it is tested on a regular basis and that staff is trained on a regular basis.[1]

Websites Down
In relation to power challenges, several websites went down due to power outage by host companies. The challenge? Datagram provided hosting for several large sites like Jezebel, Gizmodo and the Huffington Post. When the storm hit, Datagram went down. Though they did have backup power, their offices and backup power supplies were flooded. As a result, these and other sites went down.[2]

Social Media Serves
One big positive story from the crisis is the speed that social media sites like Twitter moved from jokes to serious support. David Carr at NYT writes, “my feed quickly moved from the prankish to the practical in a matter of hours as landfall approached.”[3] Andrea Di Maio at Garner Blog Network suggests that the tactical nature of social media may tempt officials to try incorporate it into their day to day business, but Di Maio suggests that may be the wrong move. Social media is a public communication tool that normally manages the day to day chatter of everything from sports to technology to politics. In a moment of crisis, the users themselves adapt (or did adapt this last time) and turn the same tool into a vital support system.[4]

HIE Preparedness Smooths Transition
Those who watched the news may remember seeing the ambulances move patients from NYC hospitals to other locations. According to Mike Millard at Healthcare IT News, “The harrowing process was made smoother by the fact that those patients’ electronic health records were secure and readily accessible at the hospitals to which they were transported, thanks to New York’s statewide HIE.”[5] As it turns out, electronic health records served a vital role in helping hospitals face this crisis.

[1] Roberta J. Witty. “A Post from My Colleague Donna Scott: Is Power Recovery your Weakest Link? #Sandy #HurricaneSandy.” Garner Blog Network, October 30, 2012
[2] Jenna Wortham. “Hurricane Sandy Knocks Out Gawker and Other News Sites.” New York Timtes, October 30, 2012
[3] David Carr. “How Hurricane Sandy Slapped the Sarcasm Out of Twitter.” New York Times, October 31, 2012
[4] Andrea Di Maio. “Hurricane Sandy Confirms the Tactical Nature of Social Media.” Garner Blog Network, October 31, 2012
[5] Mike Millard. “In disasters such as Sandy, HIE is ‘as critical as having roads, as having fire hydrants.” Healthcare IT News, October 31, 2012