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Why is communication so important during an emergency?

Communication is so important during emergency because it can save your life from a hurricane or any disaster. Also you could help someone by helping him/ her from escaping from the hurricane. IT COULD BE VERY USEFUL!! For example there a several communication like: internet, phones, a sign or anything else.

What forms of communication have been used during recent disasters e.g Hurricane Katrina, the Tsunami.

There are a lot of forms in the world!! For example the INTERNET i will give two websites or more that you could search for it or you have information in front of you, you could even print it.
. WWW.Google.com
. WWW.yahoo.com
. Wikipedia
. Blogger
And MORE

What essential information needs to be communicated during a disaster or emergency?

There are a lot of essential information needs to be communicated during a disaster or emergency here are the information:
FOOD
SHELTER
CLOTHES
SAFETY

What information can be created before the emergency? What information needs to be communicated during the emergency?

Information can be created BEFORE the emergency?
Worn you about hurricane in the TV, internet, face book, a website or in the radio. so you can about hurricane a dangerous stuff that could happen.
Information needs to be communicated DURING the emergency:
Radio, mobile phone , wakitalki and more.

What hardware and software is required to be able to communicate online?

There a lot of hardware that you can use to be able to communicate online for example:
Google
flicker
facebook
messenger
facade
and more...