10 Ways to Use Melrose Patch During Hurricane Sandy

With Hurricane Sandy making her way toward New England this weekend, 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 of our reporting, the more interaction we get from users the more comprehensive our coverage will be.

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

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

1. Get the news. When we know about storm-related news, so will you. From important town and village announcements, damages, power outages and floods, Twitter feeds and polls, we’ll have all the news covered 24-7. To make that easier and more fun, we are introducing a new live-blogging capability, where you can get all that information in one fast-moving stream.

2. Comment. Have relevant information to add to the live blog or to an article? Jump in and make a comment. Or post photos. These storm stories will continue to evolve as we speak to more officials and locals. You can be a real-time source by commenting and sharing what you're seeing.

3. Connect with the editor. Co-editors Mark Ouellette and Chris Caesar can be reached via email at melrose@patch.com, if you don't want to post to the live blog or elsewhere on the site. If you have tips, call, email 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 Melrose Patch on Twitter.

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. Download our App for your smartphone or tablet. 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 Melrose Patch. Upload them directly to articles (Note: Make sure you're logged into your free Melrose Patch user account before attempting to upload photos).

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

8. Storm central: Make sure to visit our Hurricane Sandy information page for regular storm updates in Melrose.

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, just email melrose@patch.com.