Limited post-Katrina coverage on Google Maps
Ellen (closedblueyes) messaged me a few minutes ago, upset because she'd just realized that http://maps.google.com has provided post-Katrina satellite views of New Orleans but not of the MS or AL Gulf Coasts. I did a little digging and came up with a contact page for Google Maps. I submitted the following note under the "other" category (since "Rant about short-sighted post-hurricane coverage" wasn't one of the options listed on the main form):
"As a resident of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, I am disappointed and angered at Google's narrowly focused Google Maps coverage of the devastation wraught upon the ENTIRE Gulf Coast region. While the flooding of 80% of the New Orleans metropolitan area might have made better news (and a spiffier aerial image), there is still no excuse for ignoring the rest of the region. I am sure that with your recent multi-million dollar IPO, Google has the resources to provide updated satellite images of the ENTIRE region, not just New Orleans. After everything we've lost, would it be too much to ask that you provide aerial views of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, as well?"
Here's what Ellen had to say:
"Hi. As one person of many affected by Hurricane Katrina on the coast of Mississippi, I would hope that you all would not focus solely on New Orleans when mapping the effects of the hurricane. I understand that the national media believes New Orleans is the most populated area and is therefore more important, but the devastation is just as bad in areas of Mississippi and Alabama. I hope that you all will update the Katrina coverage on maps.google.com. Thank you."
Hers is nicer. :)
Here is the direct link for sending feedback under the "other" category. Please add your voice and let Google know that there are more victims than just those in New Orleans, and we'd like to see images of our homes, too.
"As a resident of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, I am disappointed and angered at Google's narrowly focused Google Maps coverage of the devastation wraught upon the ENTIRE Gulf Coast region. While the flooding of 80% of the New Orleans metropolitan area might have made better news (and a spiffier aerial image), there is still no excuse for ignoring the rest of the region. I am sure that with your recent multi-million dollar IPO, Google has the resources to provide updated satellite images of the ENTIRE region, not just New Orleans. After everything we've lost, would it be too much to ask that you provide aerial views of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, as well?"
Here's what Ellen had to say:
"Hi. As one person of many affected by Hurricane Katrina on the coast of Mississippi, I would hope that you all would not focus solely on New Orleans when mapping the effects of the hurricane. I understand that the national media believes New Orleans is the most populated area and is therefore more important, but the devastation is just as bad in areas of Mississippi and Alabama. I hope that you all will update the Katrina coverage on maps.google.com. Thank you."
Hers is nicer. :)
Here is the direct link for sending feedback under the "other" category. Please add your voice and let Google know that there are more victims than just those in New Orleans, and we'd like to see images of our homes, too.