Katrina on Radio, TV and Web

Katrina's stunning impact on the southeast has brought out the best and worst in America. As the days progress more media resources are popping up on the web.

With power still out in the much of the Big Easy, DirectNIC is one ISP that has managed to keep the lights on. Their blog documenting the experience is a fascinating read. IRC fans can monitor the search and rescue activities at irc.freenode.net in #interdictor-scanner. Listeners are transcribing scanner traffic there real time. There is also a long list of servers that are broadcasting police and rescue scanner audio. If you're looking for local coverage, WWL TV has a live web stream of their broadcast feed.

Another thing that makes the Internet great: Locals have set up a Wiki filled with web resourses relating to Katrina's aftermath.

The Times-Picayune became an Internet-only publication when the storm came. Finding accurate and up-to-date local information is a challenge.

With the advent of voip and instant messaging, many of us who used to rely on ham radio for international communications drifted away from the hobby. Now, the American Radio Relay League's maxim, "When all else fails, Amateur Radio" is being ampified. You can listen to emergency and priority traffic from the West Gulf ARES Net on this audio stream.

Television news coverage included some memorable moments. Heartbreak on Meet the Press, Fox News frustration, a stunning chopper tour on This Week, and two clips that question our government's response, here , here and here.