One Net trend worth noting is the use of the Web sites to assist in coping with natural disasters. The Web is currently playing such a role in efforts to recover from the aftermath of ice storms that ravaged parts of Canada and the Northeastern United States.

The Montreal Ice Storm is a site put up by a Montreal-based online publishing and marketing company called Ergodynamix. Sharon Tucci, the creator of the site, had her power knocked out early on, but, unlike others, her power was restored by last Sunday, allowing her to go online quickly.

On the site, Tucci set up a number of resources that people can use to get news, information, and assistance. There's also a discussion board, which features postings like this one from a Montreal resident.

"I heard that a pet shelter was being set up on the South Shore for pets whose owners have to move into shelters that won't take animals," the posting read. "If anyone knows the address or phone number of this Pet Shelter, please let me know and also post it so that others can have the information. I personally would be happy to volunteer at such a shelter."

Among the other sites providing news and information are IceStorm98.com, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.'s live audio coverage, The Canadian Red Cross and our business partners at Yahoo!.

One obvious complication is that if people are without power, they're also without Net access. However, sites are not only trying to get the word out but also marshal aid from others not hit but the storm. Tucci said her site is "...working hard at linking up people that have funds, services or products with those who need it." Tucci said that, "We helped coordinate a hydro crew from Virginia to go to help in the Ontario region, we've helped with 4 truckloads of firewood from various sources... someone in California has arranged a fundraising effort that is now at over $4,000 in one day)."

Copyright (c) 1997 ZDNet. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of ZDNet is prohibited. ZDNet and the ZDNet logo are trademarks of Ziff-Davis Inc.