It's Your Week: How we explain a natural disaster beyond words
Hurricane Ian left millions without power and historic destruction in its wake.
I'm Sallee Ann and welcome to Your Week, a newsletter exclusively for Paste BN subscribers. First and foremost, I hope all our friends in the South are safe. I can't imagine what the past week has been like for you.
Here at Paste BN, our mission is to help you make sense of the news that matters to you. This week, we talk with our graphics team. They take complicated concepts and break them down in a way that words sometimes can't.
But first, don't miss these stories made possible with your subscription:
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Graphics as a public service
Days before Hurricane Ian made landfall, our graphics team was diligently tracking the storm's path to keep readers informed — and safe.
"When disaster strikes, information graphics, accurate maps and visualizations of damage assessment become an indispensable public service to our readers and our coverage," Javier Zarracina, senior director of graphics, said.
And thats no easy feat.
"The graphics team needs to collect huge amount of data to create dozens of maps and graphics with up-to-minute information that synthesize the most relevant information for the communities affected," Zarracina said.
For Hurricane Ian, the graphics team focused on the forecast and risk, assessing the damage both with charts and annotated aerial images. We also created science explainers of the main storm surge risk.
The team also broke down a term you probably heard a lot, but may not have known exactly what it means: storm surge.
By definition, a storm surge is the massive amount of water that builds up and comes ashore during a hurricane. It is often the deadliest and most destructive threat from devastating storms.
When it comes to visualizing what that actually looks like, our graphics team simplified it in one digestible animation: Click or tap here to see it in action.
But what about those who may have lost internet access in the storm? Our graphics team has a solution there, too.
"Besides the online graphics, in a disaster the print paper becomes a lifeline, as many affected places may lose internet access," Zarracina said. "We make an extra effort to bring the most up-to-date maps and useful information to the physical paper."
Whether you prefer to read Paste BN online or in print, I hope you join me in applauding the graphics team for all the hard work they do to keep us safe and informed. And of course, to everyone on the ground in Florida and beyond helping to bring supplies and resources to the communities impacted by Ian. Here's how you can help those affected by Hurricane Ian.
More Hurricane Ian stories:
- Were forecasts for Hurricane Ian wrong? What experts say about the 'cone of uncertainty.'
- Migrant workers are often hesitant to seek shelter during disasters and many don't qualify for federal disaster assistance, making them vulnerable
- Mental health struggles may linger long after storm. Here's how to take care of yourself and others.
- He rescued cats and dogs amid war in Ukraine. Now he's saving animals from Ian's wrath.
Help via text message
A team of Paste BN Network journalists from newsrooms around Florida and beyond launched a texting campaign to send updates on Hurricane Ian and the aftermath.
A key benefit of the campaign is that texts can be accessible after a disaster, even when internet is down. The team is devoted to providing help directly in the texts, and have also compiled a FAQ page based on reader input.
You can sign up for the campaign here. Please also forward to friends and family who you think could benefit.
We also have a subscriber-only texting campaign, where you can have top stories sent straight to your phone. This exclusive perk is included with your subscription. Sign up here!
A little levity
Chewbacca is, apparently, a Cincinnati Bengals fan.
See more photos of celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games here.
Thank you
Thank you for being a subscriber. Your support allows us to do the important, public service work we talked about today. It's an honor to connect you with our journalism.
Have a great week!