Facebook has enabled its Safety Check feature to allow users impacted by Hurricane Matthew to easily check in with their friends and family. The social media giant made the announcement in a statement on their disaster response page on Oct. 4.
“Our hearts go out to the people affected by this tragic event. Safety Check is a simple and easy way to say you’re safe and check on others after a major disaster or crisis,” the statement said. “We hope the people in the area find the tool a helpful way to let their friends and family know they are okay.”
Facebook introduced the tool in 2014 after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The feature has been activated during natural disasters and terrorist attacks including the Orlando nightclub shooting, the Nice, France truck attack and the Dallas police shooting.
Hurricane Matthew has already left more than 280 dead and has displaced thousands after devastating the Caribbean. The category three hurricane is the most powerful storm to threaten the U.S. in more than a decade.
How it works:
Facebook users located in an affected danger zone receive a notification from the site asking them if they’re safe. The site then posts the user’s response on the Safety Check page and on the newsfeeds of the individual’s friends and family. Facebook also keeps track of anyone who hasn’t responded to the Safety Check notification.
If you didn’t receive a notification from Facebook and you would like to let your loved ones know that you’re okay, you can also visit the Safety Check website here and mark yourself “safe”. You can also easily check which of your friends have already responded at this site.
Some Facebook users have also created public groups such as this one, where anyone can join and post updates during the storm.
