Disaster.net : The Disaster Information Source

Aug. 9, 2011 - PRLog -- Phnom Penh, Cambodia  / Disaster.net recently launched a unique website designed to help citizens, journalists and governments monitor and prepare for natural disasters that occur worldwide.

The new website spotlights different disasters, including earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, nuclear, solar storms, tornadoes, tsunamis, volcanoes and wildfires.  It links to pages where consumers can buy supplies recommended for each disaster through Amazon.com.  It also highlights disaster apps and links to official government preparedness websites.

“There is not a centralized place on the internet for disasters.  Our main goal is to be that site and provide disaster information for everyone,” said Andrew Nissenbaum, the founder and CEO of Disaster.net. “In particular, we want to provide disaster information for journalists, governments and people who believe there’s a lack of transparency when it comes to that kind of information.”

Visitors to the website can watch videos of disasters and keep abreast of recent disaster alerts. Nissenbaum sees his website as a citizen journalism web channel about natural disasters.  He believes that governments often may release disaster information late, and the news media sometimes just stops covering disaster stories because of political influence.  

Disaster.net represents Nissenbaum’s vision about how the future of journalism will continue to evolve. He views the site as the beginning of his long-term goal to build up the brand for his Disaster TV®.  In addition, Disaster.net links to his other brands including Reporter TV®, Rescue TV®, Give TV™ and Desastre TV®. He started Disaster.net after living in Maui, Hawaii where he began wondering how he would prepare for any disaster that might cut the island off from outside help.

“It is my vision that Disaster.net will be the complete disaster information resource center,” Nissenbaum said. “The store part of it is just a way to fund this operation.”

Nissenbaum spent more than 15 months, and worked with several development teams, to create the Disaster.net website. Michael Samuel, who created the logos for such brands as Nick, A&E and the History Channel, also created the logo and graphics for Disaster.net.  

Matt Davis, a psychology professor at Dominican University of California who specializes in how people prepare for and react to natural disasters, works with Nissenbaum as well.  

“People are generally fascinated with natural disasters, yet most do not know a whole lot about them, “ said Davis. “But the more they learn about these phenomena, the more likely they are to take precautions and engage in behaviors that could save their lives. I think that Disaster.net will be a unique and invaluable resource in that regard.”

Marketing legend Joe Sugarman was inspired by Nissenbaum’s concept.  

“Whenever a tragedy occurs we turn to the media for information,” said Sugarman. “Nissenbaum has recognized the importance of providing a single source that both the media and the reporter can rely on to share the power of the Internet to disseminate information quickly and efficiently."

Nissenbaum said Disaster.net is privately funded and his goal is to give 8 percent of the profits to disaster relief.