Hackers Use Google To Map Hurricane's Impact

"...websites [are] combining the latest satellite imagery with maps and geodata to provide information on a more local scale.

Using maps and images provided through Google Maps and Google Earth, a number of hackers are building detailed models of the flood-damaged areas.

This is not just a frivolous use of new toys by geeks with too much time on their hands. These experiments can help people find out whether their house is under water, which streets are accessible and what has happened to their neighbourhood."