Using the links provided in the next column, answer the following questions. The purpose of this exercise is to demonstrate the amount of information that can easily be collected, consulted or confirmed online.

1. What sort of information can the Red Cross provide you in connection with the war in Iraq?
2. When was the most recent local earthquake?
3. What's FEMA's new Operation Liberty Shield? What are its key components?
4. Take the one of the disaster quizzes at Disaster relief. How did you do?
   
5. Go to the USA Today weather intern page and follow the links to their "test." How well would you do?
6. You are writing a story about hurricane awareness. What are some recommendations for being prepared for a hurricane?
7. Have there been any tornados in the last few days in the United States?
8. What's the weather like right now in Harare, Zimbabwe?
9. According to the NOAA's Drought Monitor, is Southern California experiencing a drought?
10. What's the cause of the most recent billion dollar weather disaster nearest to us?
11. What are the ski conditions for Big Bear Mountain Resort today?
    

Natural Hazards Center at the University of Colorado, Boulder

U.S. Geological Service For earthquake information

Disaster Relief
Cooperative effort between the American Red Cross, CNN Interactive and IBM. Facilitates information exchange on the Internet.

Tornado Project Small company that gathers, compiles, and makes tornado information available

weather.com Weather reports from all over the world.

Federal Aviation Administration Responsibile for safety of civil aviation

National Hurricane Center Maintains continuous watch on tropical cyclones over the Atlantic, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and the Eastern Pacific from 15 May through November 30.

American Red Cross Worldwide non-profit that helps people and governments deal with disasters of all sorts

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Federal agency that deals with domestic disasters (Floods, earthquakes, and other natural disasters, hazardous spills, plus acts of terrorism)

The National Transportation Safety Board has a special page for journalists. Independent Federal agency investigates aviation and other significant accidents -- railroad, highway, marine and pipeline. Issues safety recommendations.

Earthquake Information Center

USA Today weather intern writing test Check out the test USA Today gives to college interns who want to write for their weather page.

National Hurricane Center Maintains continuous watch on tropical cyclones over the Atlantic, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and the Eastern Pacific from 15 May through November 30.

Tornado Project Small company that gathers, compiles, and makes tornado information available

weather.com Weather reports from all over the world.

Weather warnings Warnings of all types

Droughts All about droughts around the country.

Billion Dollar weather disasters Documents various U.S. weather disasters since 1980 that have caused a billion or more in damages

Snocountry Mountain Reports

Current LA weather conditions

How stuff works: hurricanes

Check your weight on other planets