The President and First Lady visit storm-ravaged Alabama. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza

As the tremendous storms and tornado tore through the south, media outlets were transmitting information real-time on Twitter and other sites. However, according to American Public Media’s Marketplace report, many in Alabama lack broadband Internet service. As a result, many may have not have gotten the advanced warning.

Social media and everyday technology was able to collect lots of footage of the tornado as it tore through Tuscaloosa. Now, Facebook is helping people reunite with personal items, and updates sent via mobile devices are spreading update details. Relief organizations, like the Salvation Army, are also accepting donations via texts sent from mobile devices. Info about how you can help here.

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