#BBCtrending: Can Twitter save you in a tornado?

#BBCtrending: Can Twitter save you in a tornado? (BBC, Nov 19th 2013)

Fact file: storm surge

Storm surge (Wikipedia)

Storm Surge Overview (NOAA)

storm surge (National Geographic)
Storm surge  (Met Office UK)

Storm Surge 101: What they are, and how to prepare for them (GMA News, Nov 15th 2013)

Ferocious winds drove Tacloban surge (BBC, Nov 11th 2013)

Philippines Typhoon Haiyan: 'Storm surge crushed all of these buildings' (BBC, Nov 10th 2013)

Haiyan storm surges caught Philippines by surprise (Yahoo/AP, Nov 11th 2013)
Field Teams Collect Valuable Storm Surge Data (Hal Needham's blog, Aug 1 2014)

CryoSat measures European storm surge

Why so much emphasis on storm surge? This graphic might help. @NHC_Surge @NHC_Atlantic #NWAS14 pic.twitter.com/6PMFUozHLQ
— Ryan Phillips NBC6 (@RyanNBC6) October 23, 2014

Typhoon #Haiyan facts

Haiyan's True Intensity and Death Toll Still Unknown
(wundergrund.com, Nov 15th 2013)(via @EricHolthaus)
Super Typhoon Haiyan's Intensification and Unusually Warm Sub-Surface Waters
(wundergrund.com, Nov 13th 2013)(via @EricHolthaus)
8 maps that explain why Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines so hard (Washington Post, Nov 15th 2013)
Home › Earth Topics › Natural Disasters › Hurricane (ESA)
Typhoon Haiyan in Philippines (UN-Spider)

@twitter_ph @GooglePH Simplified combined account creation procedure[<=during a calamity]

NTC appeals to public to limit their communication in critical areas to text messages, as calls may congest communication lines. #YolandaPH
— Solar News (@solartvnews) November 13, 2013

 background Emergency communication setup using Twitter

Since many 'common people' aren't that familiar with using the internet, setting up & using e-mail (possibly never did that before in their life) and the usefulness of using twitter to communicate in order to limit precious network bandwidth, I suggest that you think about the following:

How about ONE (simple) webpage where new users who wants to use Twitter, Google+ primarily  for improving their situation during this current emergency, which registers and verifies the user immediately without the need of first creating an e-mail account and then applying for Twitter membership afterwards. A webpage with just a few questions asked and a check if their chosen Twitter handle, Google+ name is already in use. It always possible to contact your new users after things have calmed a bit and ask them for addition info/verification or suspend their account when they don't react.

Imagine those people who have just limited internet access (possibly need to share it with a bunch of other people) in those areas affected by Typhoon Yolanda. Possibly left with only a few minutes of battery power for using their internet access device (tablet,notebook, smartphone).

I think it's possible to limit this new 'emergency feature' to those calamity affected areas by filtering their IP ranges in order to reduce risk of abuse

[update]

In case of emergency: Twitter Alerts send you important Tweets from select public agencies and safety organizations. https://t.co/Qjum1yuqdT
— Support (@Support) November 12, 2013

Maybe add a feature (option) to this new 'simplified registration' webpage, which allows to 'auto-follow' a list of important Twitter handles (government officials, aid agencies, newspapers) and to get updates by 'Twitter alerts'.
This would eliminate the need for a 'search and follow mission', which could take the new user hours to find all those extremely important accounts. (It's easy to unfollow those who are not needed anymore, later)
[/update]

Typhoon #YolandaPH compilation of important information #ReliefPH

Typhoon Yolanda: Crisis and relief map
 (via @govph & @twitter_ph)

Person finder by Google
#YolandaPH: Help map critical reports for Project Agos

For tracing request use hashtag "TracingPH" and "RescuePH" http://t.co/SB5mTqW2qS
— Philippine Red Cross (@philredcross) November 10, 2013

#Philippines using social media hashtags to reach out to victims of #haiyan #yolandaPH @philredcross @TyphoonHaiyan pic.twitter.com/PqyFveWRna
— AustraliaNetworkNews (@an_news) November 10, 2013

Twitter list providing important information re aftermath of Yolanda [EZR_news - service]

twitter stream of this list also displayed publicly on this blog!==>
PHL: ABS-CBN TV live streaming (English)

Typhoon Yolanda: UN Needs Your Help Tagging Crisis Tweets for Disaster Response (Updated)

(via @hemant_Pt)

Use the best of Google on the go, data charge free. (Google)

ham radio emergency response:

Hams in Philippines Support Critical Communication in Typhoon’s Wake [ARRL, Nov 9th 2013]

"Ham Emergency Radio Operator(s) (HERO) continue(s) to help authorities"  [southgatearc.org]

(via @SAR_News)
Hams increase their Philippines typhoon disaster role [southgatearc.org]
ITU Deploys Satellite Communication Equipment to the Philippines, Ham Radio Response Continues [arrl.org]

Request by @DX1PAR : "Requesting DX hams to please keep 7095 kHz clear of traffic as we conduct Ham Emergency Radio Operations (HERO/ARES) "

Emergency communication setup using Twitter [EZR compilation]

Prevention strategies to limit impact of catastrophic events [EZR compilation]

#YolandaPH - For British nationals who require urgent help due to the typhoon, please call us at +63 2 858 2200. Take care! #RescuePH
— UKinthePhilippines (@ukinphilippines) November 10, 2013

twitterfeed=on 

             a must follow: (can't post all updates here!)

If you are in Iloilo and want to volunteer to pack relief goods for #YolandaPH, you can call 337-6221, 508-6775, 508-6867.
— PIA News (@PIANewsDesk) November 10, 2013

Per @NGCP_ALERT #YOLANDA UPDATE:11AM 10NOV The following transmission facilities are still affected by the Typhoon http://t.co/t5dV2KyPFJ
— DOE Philippines (@doe_ph) November 10, 2013