Google introduces evacuation routes in maps after Sandy aftermath

There is only one thing that I can say about the whole situation – I am glad that it is Google who provided maps that depict the different evacuation routes as well as various shelters for those affected by Hurricane Sandy to go to, if it were Apple Maps, one would most probably find non-existent shelters, or perhaps they might even walk into the eye of the storm itself. Apart from that, the Internet search giant also introduced a new service which will send emergency alerts to Google users.

All the information provided was garnered from government agencies such as Ready.gov and the National Weather Service. Google initially wanted to introduce this service sometime down the road, but needless to say, Hurricane Sandy forced Google’s hand, and the future iterations of Google’s efforts will include alerts from other services such as Nixle that publishes messages from the local police.

Nigel Snoad, a product manager for Google Crisis Response, said, “This is part of our continuing mission to bring emergency information to people when and where it is relevant.” Did you find this new service to be extremely useful?