With Hurricane Sandy descending upon Maryland this week, the need for up-to-the minute info is even more important.
At Patch, we will be working around-the-clock to cover the storm, but as with all of our reporting, the more interaction we get from users the more comprehensive our coverage will be. Bowie Patch is as much your site as it is ours.
1. Get the News. When we know about storm-related news, so will you. Sign up for the Bowie Patch Newsletter to get breaking news and storm updates. From important city, county and state announcements, damages, power outages and floods, we’ll have all the news covered 24-7.
2. Follow our Cover it Live Feed. Connect Patch editors and your neighbors as they Tweet during the storm with hashtag #MDSandy and #PGStorm.
3. Ask a question. If trees are down in your neighborhood but you want to know if your neighbors a few blocks away have the same damage, or if you want to let us know about a local business braving the storm, comment in our Hurricane Sandy: Bowie Info Center.
4. Comment. If you have relevant information to add to an article, jump in and make a comment. These storm stories will continue to evolve as we speak to more officials and locals. You can be a real-time source by commenting.
5. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook. Before we write an article we tweet the news out to our followers. Want the info the fastest way possible, follow @BowiePatch on Twitter and fan us on Facebook.
6. Take photos and videos. Please, stay safe and do not put yourself in danger during the storm. But any photos and videos you take of the storm or the aftermath we’d prominently display on Bowie Patch. Upload them directly to our Pics & Clips Gallery.
7. Ask for Volunteers. Post an announcement, letting readers know about requests for volunteers. Depending on the scope of the disaster, volunteers are going to be crucial to mend the community.
8. Blog about it. When all settles, scores of your fellow community members will have “I was there” stories to share. Don’t keep them to yourself. Sign up to blog and let your neighbors know how you held up during the storm.
9. Download the Patch app for your smartphone. Just because you lose power doesn't mean you have to lose your connection to Patch. Download our smartphone app to stay abreast of our Hurricane Sandy Coverage.
10. Connect with the local editor. Jenni Pompi’s email address is jenni.pompi@patch.com. Use it. If you have tips, call, e-mail or - more often - text to conserve cell phone power.
