# qldfloods and@ QPSMedia: Crisis Communication on Twitter in the 2011 South East Queensland Floods

Abstract

Social media, including Facebook and Twitter, played an important role in crisis communication at the height of the 2011 South East Queensland floods crisis (10-16 January). This report examines the role of the short-messaging system Twitter in disseminating and sharing crisis information and updates from state and local authorities as well as everyday citizens. We assess the overall use of Twitter, as well as that of the most important emergency service account, the Queensland Police’s @QPSMedia account. Our findings point to an important role for social media, including Twitter, in crisis communication. This has implications for the practical work of emergency services and media organisations, as well as for further scholarly research.