Welcome

I have been working with two of our papers in Louisana the last few weeks on adding new functionality and new content to their sites in relation to Hurricane Katrina.

We started the Sunday before Katrina hit posting news as it came in. Both newsrooms evacuated so they relied on me to help them post stories. I also set up some interactivity on the site that has proved to be popular. I added some forums where people could post information and look for information on loved ones as well as status of properties in the area. I also added an area where users could upload their photos of the damage.

I had been through three hurricanes last year in Lakeland so I was able to take the lessons I learned there and apply them to this site. It helped that I sort of knew what to do.

The staffs there were really great. One of my good friends is the online director there and the only online staff they have for two sites so help from the outside was welcomed by him.

With every one of these events you learn more about the best way to help the community through the web site.

The site I am working with is http://www.houmatoday.com.