A few weeks ago, Superstorm Sandy ripped through the East Coast of the U.S., damaging many homes, delaying flights, and leaving many cities in New York, New Jersey, and the surrounding areas in disarray. Though Superstorm Sandy left many without traditional forms of communication, one tool still readily being used was social media — not only by the general public, but also their political representatives.

According to a recent infographic, 20 million storm-related tweets were sent out as Superstorm Sandy was making landfall on October 29. Instagram also reported that 10 photos per second were being uploaded with a #sandy hashtag. Social media activity of politicians was no different. The office of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg kept a steady stream of tweets throughout the storm. Here are some examples:

@MikeBloomberg: Sunday October 28, 8:35 pm: Our 65 shelters will be open as of 9 AM Sunday. They provide a safe place to sleep, they provide meals, and they have space for pets. #Sandy

@MikeBloomberg: Monday October 29, 1:20 pm: Remain in your homes while the storm is in progress. Stay away from windows

@MikeBloomberg: Monday October 29, 1:27 pm: Please check on your neighbors and the elderly. Look out for one another http://bit.ly/WRCnd3 #Sandy #NYC

@MikeBloomberg: Monday October 28, 6:42 pm: The time for evacuation is over. Conditions are dangerous and will get worse. Please stay where you are #Sandy  #NYC http://bit.ly/WRCnd3 

For those who did have power — or at least devices that had power — during the storm, communication through social media became a gateway to knowledge that may not have happened otherwise.

Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey also utilized social media during Superstorm Sandy, particularly on his Facebook page, showcasing a wide array of posts that served to illustrate to the public how significant the impact was. Photos of a damage tour at the Jersey Shore, links to helpful websites, and videos of Christie keeping the public updated were methods used by the Governor and his camp to keep his state in-the-know during the storm, while also communicating the severity of the situation after the fact.

Other community leaders and offices utilized social media to get their message across in a quick, efficient way. New Jersey’s Hunterdon County Department of Public Safety updated its Facebook page before and after the storm with helpful information for the county and the surrounding areas. According to Hunterdon County Office of Emergency Management Coordinator Braydon Fahey, social media became an avenue to express what the department was doing, which included posting lists of shelters, ice distribution centers, and situation reports. The combination of these made getting the word out easier.

So, what’s the takeaway? Social media proved its power once again, particularly for politicians and decision makers. Without it, many would have continued to be in the dark, literally, during Superstorm Sandy. In addition, the tools may have also shaped how the public viewed these politicians, either more favorably or less favorably. A perfect example of this was Governor Christie, who received praise for his communication efforts during the storm, letting go of party politics and getting down to business.

In the end, social media has and will continue to be a method through which leaders can present sensitive, yet timely information, connecting those at the top to those who need it the most. And when it’s done correctly, as these examples illustrate, it’s a win for everyone.

What do you think? What are some other examples of politicians who used social media during Superstorm Sandy?