Social media plays big role in flood cleanup
Flood victims in the Twin Tiers are still looking for volunteers to help them clean up their homes and businesses. But thanks to social media, it's becoming easier for victims and volunteers to connect. Our Lara Greenberg tells us how social media is playing a big role in cleanup efforts.
ATHENS, Pa. -- "I use them primarily to get the information out concerning the Clothes Closet. I usually post up to seven or eight posts every single evening."
Lucinda Brown is one of thousands of people who have been using social media to learn and share information about flood cleanup.
"Say for instance somebody needs a bed. I put it on there and five minutes later, somebody says oh I have a bed. Where do I take it? So it's been a huge tool," Brown said.
A number of Facebook pages were made in the days following the storm. The Valley Awareness Page has gotten 1.2 million views since flooding hit the Twin Tiers. The page administrator, Tom Mitchell, says he even teamed up with the Athens Police to get information online.
"People that are looking for help can get help. People looking for answers to questions that might not know how to find the answers, they can post it on there. Somebody's going to know the answer," Mitchell said.
And just because the flooding happened almost a month ago now doesn't mean these Facebook pages are slowing down. People are still posting information and asking for help almost every hour.
One reason page administrators say Facebook has been so powerful is because people could access it on their phones even if they lost power. Another reason is because it's immediate.
"Facebook, take it or leave it. Everybody's got their own take on it. But it is a direct way to link up instant help," said Cindy Parrish, Valley Flood Help Wanted/Available Facebook administrator.
Parrish says her Flood Valley Help Wanted/Available page has received donations from as far as Texas and California. And she hopes the power of social media will keep the help coming.
ATHENS, Pa. -- "I use them primarily to get the information out concerning the Clothes Closet. I usually post up to seven or eight posts every single evening."
Lucinda Brown is one of thousands of people who have been using social media to learn and share information about flood cleanup.
"Say for instance somebody needs a bed. I put it on there and five minutes later, somebody says oh I have a bed. Where do I take it? So it's been a huge tool," Brown said.
A number of Facebook pages were made in the days following the storm. The Valley Awareness Page has gotten 1.2 million views since flooding hit the Twin Tiers. The page administrator, Tom Mitchell, says he even teamed up with the Athens Police to get information online.
"People that are looking for help can get help. People looking for answers to questions that might not know how to find the answers, they can post it on there. Somebody's going to know the answer," Mitchell said.
And just because the flooding happened almost a month ago now doesn't mean these Facebook pages are slowing down. People are still posting information and asking for help almost every hour.
One reason page administrators say Facebook has been so powerful is because people could access it on their phones even if they lost power. Another reason is because it's immediate.
"Facebook, take it or leave it. Everybody's got their own take on it. But it is a direct way to link up instant help," said Cindy Parrish, Valley Flood Help Wanted/Available Facebook administrator.
Parrish says her Flood Valley Help Wanted/Available page has received donations from as far as Texas and California. And she hopes the power of social media will keep the help coming.

