Help & Privacy
Learn how to use CrisisComms and understand how we protect your data during Hurricane Melissa.
1Posting Updates
- Click the "Post Update" button (top right on any page)
- Select your parish from the dropdown menu
- Select your community (optional but recommended)
- Choose relevant tags (e.g., Road, Utility, Hazard) - you can select multiple
- Write a clear, descriptive title
- Add detailed information in the description
- Click "Submit" - your update will appear immediately
Tip: Be specific about locations and include landmarks to help others find the area.
2Reporting Missing Persons
- Go to "Persons Help" in the navigation menu
- Click "Report Missing Person" card
- Fill in the person's name and description
- Select the parish and community where they were last seen
- Add any identifying information (clothing, physical features, etc.)
- Provide contact information so people can reach you with updates
- Submit the report - it will be visible to everyone searching
Tip: Include a recent photo if possible and update the status as soon as you have new information.
3Updating Person Status
- Go to "Persons Help" and click "Update Person Status"
- Search for the person by name
- Select the correct person from the list
- Choose the new status (Safe, Found, Injured, etc.)
- Add details about the update (where they are, their condition, etc.)
- Submit - the person's status will be updated for everyone to see
Tip: Always verify information before updating someone's status to avoid confusion.
4Searching by Location
- Go to "Communities" in the navigation menu
- Select a parish from the list
- View all updates and person reports for that parish
- Use the community filter to narrow down to specific areas
- Use tag filters to see only specific types of updates (roads, utilities, etc.)
Tip: Bookmark specific community pages if you're monitoring a particular area.
5Interacting with Updates
Mark as Helpful
Click "Helpful" if the information is useful or accurate. This helps others identify reliable updates.
Report Issues
Click "Report" if information seems incorrect or inappropriate. Moderators will review it.
Edit Your Posts
If you're signed in, you can edit or delete your own updates and reports.
Request Removal
Click "Remove" to request removal of personal information. Moderators will review your request.
Post Update
Report road conditions, utility outages, hazards, or other important information. Click "Post Update" on any page, select your location (parish and community), add tags, and describe the situation.
Report Missing Persons or Request Aid
Go to "Persons Help" to report someone missing, mark someone as safe, or request aid for someone in need. Select the parish and community, provide details, and submit. You can also search for existing reports.
Search by Location
Use the parish and community filters to view updates and person reports for specific areas. This helps you find information relevant to your location or where your loved ones are.
Mark Updates as Helpful
Click "Helpful" on updates that are useful or accurate. This helps others identify reliable information. You can also report issues if information seems incorrect.
Verified Information
Look for the "Verified by" badge on updates and person reports. These have been confirmed by moderators or government officials for accuracy.
Message Moderators
Need help or have questions? Click the "Message Moderators" button at the bottom right of any page to send a message to our moderation team.
✓ Do Post:
- Accurate, verified information about road conditions, utilities, and hazards
- Missing person reports with detailed descriptions
- Updates on person status when you have confirmed information
- Requests for aid with specific details about what's needed
- Helpful resources and emergency contact information
✗ Don't Post:
- Unverified rumors or speculation
- Personal attacks or harassment
- Spam or promotional content
- False information or deliberate misinformation
- Sensitive personal information without consent
Emergency Services
119
Police
119
Fire Department
110
ODPEM (Disaster Management)
1-888-DISASTER
If you're in immediate danger, call emergency services first before posting on CrisisComms.
What Information is Public
Updates and person reports you submit are visible to all users to help coordinate disaster response. This includes location information (parish and community), descriptions, and status updates. Your name is only shown if you're signed in when submitting.
Right to Remove Information
You can request removal of personal information at any time by clicking "Request Removal" on any person report or update. Requests are reviewed by moderators. Once approved, personal details are removed within 30 days, though we keep anonymized statistics (status, parish, timestamps) for disaster response coordination.
Data Security
All data is encrypted in transit and at rest. Access to personal information is limited to authorized moderators and officials. We do not share your data with third parties except as required for emergency response coordination with government agencies.
Account Information
Your email and password are securely stored and never shared publicly. You can update or delete your account at any time from the Account settings. Deleting your account does not automatically remove submitted updates or reports - you must request removal separately.
Do I need an account to view information?
No, you can view all updates and person reports without an account. However, you need to sign in to submit updates, report missing persons, or mark information as helpful.
How do I know if information is accurate?
Look for the "Verified by" badge on updates and person reports. These have been confirmed by moderators or government officials. You can also check how many people marked an update as "Helpful" and when it was last updated.
What if I see incorrect or harmful information?
Click the "Report" button on any update or person report to flag it for moderator review. Our team will investigate and take appropriate action.
Can I update information I previously submitted?
Yes, if you're signed in and viewing your own submission, you'll see an "Edit" option. You can also delete your own submissions if they're no longer relevant.
How can I help moderate the platform?
If you're interested in becoming a moderator, click "Request Moderator" in your account menu. You'll need to provide information about why you want to help. Admins will review your request.
Can I use this site without internet?
CrisisComms requires an internet connection to view and submit updates. However, you can take screenshots of important information to reference offline.
How often is information updated?
Updates appear in real-time as soon as they're submitted. Check the timestamp on each update to see how recent the information is.
If you have questions, concerns, or need assistance, you can message our moderation team directly.
Message Moderators