If You're Not in the Storm, Don't Use #HurricaneFlorence
Since Hurricane Florence's landfall Friday morning, the storm caused severe damage to the mid-lower East Coast, with a reported four fatalities thus far. While locals have been advised to evacuate the premises, not all have. However, it turns out that social media can play a crucial role in communication during natural disasters. In an extensive twitter thread, New York Times journalist Kendra Pierre-Louis warns Twitter users not to abuse the Hurricane Florence hashtag as a safety measure.
With power sapped from 620,000 civilians in the Carolinas already, social media can be a potential lifeline to those without other means of communication. By hashtagging the hurricane for any business that isn't directly related to a news update or someone's personal safety, you may actually be drowning out a cry for help.
Pierre-Louis elaborates in a later tweet that North Carolina utility has stated on record that parts of the state will be left without power for weeks. "If you manage to survive the storm, and the flooding, without electricity it's going to be tough to get help," says Pierre-Louis on her Twitter account. "Really think it through."
If you have yet to evacuate and are in need of updates, FEMA's twitter account will be providing live updates of Florence as well as safety tips.
To provide relief to Hurricane Florence victims, TPG compiled a short list of ways you can help. And remember, hashtag with caution!
TPG featured card
at Bilt's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 1X | Choose to earn up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee |
| 2X | Earn 2X points + the option to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases |
Pros
- Choice to earn up to 1 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
- Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and the option to earn Bilt Cash
- $400 Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit per year (up to $200 biannually)
- $200 Bilt Cash annually
- Priority Pass membership
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Moderate annual fee
- Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
- Earn points on housing with no transaction fee
- Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
- 2X points on everyday spend
- $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
- $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
- Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days + $300 of Bilt Cash.
- Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
- Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.