Google Public Alerts

On January 25, 2012, Google Crisis Response launched a new project called Google Public Alerts. Using a variety of publicly available feeds from entities like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Weather Service, and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the system overlays warning and alert data from these sources onto a Google interface. To view, go here.

Comment: Once again, huge kudos to Google for showing the nation the way ahead by fusing available data into a practical and friendly application that John Q. Public can start using right now. And, once again; shame, shame, shame, Google (See: Google's Crisis Map - Falling Short of the Mark). Until Google follows through on that national leadership position by incorporating U.S. National Grid functionality into its common man's geospatial products for public safety, it will be part of the problem, not part of the solution.  (If anybody from Google is reading this post.....tell Ms. Mayer I'll take the shop out for a night on the town in Wausau, WI if you'll fix this problem!)