10 Ways to Use Patch During the Storm

With Hurricane Sandy making her way toward New England today, the need for up-to-the minute info is even more important. At Patch, we will be working around-the-clock to cover the storm, but as with our reporting, the more interaction we get from users the more comprehensive our coverage will be.

Walpole Patch is as much your site as it is ours.

So in the run-up to Sandy, here’s how you can use Patch:

1. Get the news. When we know about storm-related news, so will you. From important town announcements, damages, power outages and floods, we’ll have all the news covered 24-7 for you.

2. Comment. Have relevant information to add to Walpole Patch? Jump in and make a comment on the website or post photos of the storm in town - but be safe! These storm stories will continue to evolve as we speak to more officials. You can be a real-time source by commenting and sharing what you're seeing. You can use the following Patch tools to upload information:

• Click here to add an announcement related to the storm.

• Click here to start a Hurricane Sandy blog where you can sound off on the storm, provide information and photos to others in the community and more.

• Click here to add photos and videos of the storm to Walpole Patch.

3. Connect with the editor. Stay in touch with Local Editor Ben Paulin if you don't want to post to the live blog or elsewhere on the site. If you have tips, call 508-736-9016, email benjamin.paulin@patch.com or text to conserve cell phone power.

4. Follow us on Twitter. Before we write an article we tweet the news out to our followers. Want the info the fastest way possible, follow @WalpolePatch.

5. Get the iPhone app. If the power goes out, your smartphone may end up being your only tool for getting the info on what’s going on in your community. Click here to get the Patch app for free on iTunes. Not only can you read news on it, but post photos and videos as well. Show us what you are seeing.

6. Take photos. Please, stay safe during the storm. But any photos you take of the aftermath we will prominently display on Walpole Patch. Just look for the article, "SHARE: Photos of Hurricane Sandy in Walpole," which will be published on Walpole Patch Monday.

7. Shoot videos. Same goes for video. Our smartphones have put high-powered video cameras in our pockets. Send clips our way to help us report on the effect of Sandy in your backyards.

8. Ask a question. If trees are down in your neighborhood but you want to know if your neighbors a few blocks away have the same damage, or if you want to ask someone in a flood-prone area how they waterproofed their house, post the question to the live blog. Questions normally surround natural events like a hurricane. You can look to your community for answers. If no one responds, we will try to get the answer for you.

9. Ask for Volunteers. Our Announcements section lets readers post requests for volunteers. Use it. Depending on the scope of the disaster, volunteers are going to be crucial to mend the community. Any announcements posted on the site asking for volunteers will be featured prominently on the home page.

10. Blog about it. When all settles, scores of your fellow community members will have “I was there” stories to share. Don’t keep them to yourself. Sign up to be a blogger and let your neighbors know how you held up during the storm. To sign up follow the link here or just email benjamin.paulin@patch.com.