During times of crisis, we’re connected to the world, and we’re connected to you

“Stranded Sanibel Resident.”

This was the subject line of an email that came to a Miami Herald reporter this week. The writer went on to tell us that his friend, her husband, children and dog were stranded. He was trying to get them rescued.

“Considering news services and emergency services are in direct contact, I figured this would be a good outlet,” he wrote.

A few hours later, a caller left a voicemail on our Miami Herald news tip line. “I have property on Pine Island and missing people as well.”

These were among several heartbreaking messages sent to our journalists at the Miami Herald, el Nuevo Herald and Bradenton Herald in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian that left Floridians stranded in record-high floodwaters and millions throughout the state without power.

A week before the hurricane sent fear and destruction into the lives of so many Floridians, our news editors and reporters began gearing up for the unknown. We started preparing early because our journalists have been through this before and we know that people will depend on us for the information they need to navigate a storm, no matter its size. And when the storm got closer, our Miami and Bradenton reporters and visual journalists were there in the storm’s path and at ground zero to bring you live updates.

By midweek, we started a service that gave people the ability to connect with the newsroom by text. The response was immediate.

One reader texted: “I evacuated. Can I come back now?” Another asked: “Any idea when power will be back online in our area?”

Reading and hearing from people seeking help and desperate to be heard, or worse, found, was a reminder of just how essential we are to the local community - a reminder of our mission. Journalism is a public service, and we are deeply intertwined with the well-being of our community.

Whether it’s a hurricane or some other threat, the information we provide is vital. We are, as the writer said in his email: “a good outlet.”

As we have shown through our direct connection with readers this week, we are there when it matters. We still have our texting service available. Sign up at joinsubtext.com/hurricaneian And here are some other ways that we show up for you:

• You can engage with our newsletters. Sign up for one of our email newsletters. During Hurricane Ian, our 5-minute Herald offered comprehensive information on the storm’s track and delivered useful information each day. This newsletter regularly offers the best of the morning’s Miami Herald.

• Ask us and we’ll answer. Check out Curious305: Your questions and our answers. The Miami Herald has launched Curious305, a community-powered reporting series that solicits questions from readers about Miami-Dade, Broward, the Florida Keys and the Sunshine State. The crowdsourcing project is just one way we’re working to involve you, our readers, in our journalism. Read more about Curious305 here. You can also submit your questions now.

• Explore our visual journalism and connect on social media. You probably didn’t know the Miami Herald has more than 200,000 YouTube subscribers. Far too often, I am surprised to learn that readers aren’t aware of everything we have to offer. You can watch some of our best news, sports and features videos, including our live video sports and food podcasts, on our Youtube channel. Sign up to get the latest news and information from the Herald also on Facebook (we have nearly 400,000 followers), Instagram and TikTok.

In the aftermath of tragedy, we also know that our readers depend on us to tell them how they can help those in despair. Read the Herald’s coverage about how to help those Floridians affected by the hurricane’s devastation.

We are committed to bringing you quality journalism. It’s what we are here to do. Connect and follow us as we continue to tell stories of how our Florida neighbors will rebuild their homes, lives and communities.