FAQ: Google Crisis Map

Important: As of April 2021, Google Crisis Map is no longer available.

Google’s Crisis Response program offers several different products and features that help people find timely, authoritative, and actionable information during a crisis, on Google Search and Maps.

Crisis Map was launched eight years ago as one of the first products developed by the Google Crisis Response team, as a place where crisis and weather-related data could be visualized.

Since then, we have invested in multiple new features, like providing Public Alerts directly on Google Search and Maps:

As we continue to invest in impactful crisis response tools and features, we are shifting from the stand alone Crisis Map as of March 31, 2021. After this date, Crisis Map will no longer be available, and we will continue to offer and invest in a broader suite of Crisis Response features and map creation tools.

Read on to learn more about these features and tools, which we hope can be helpful whether you are a Crisis Map viewer or creator.

General FAQs

FAQ for Crisis Map viewers

Where can I find crisis-related information on Google today?

Much of the data that was viewable on Google Crisis Map is now available directly on Google Search and Google Maps. For example, users searching for more information on active wildfires, tropical storms, floods and earthquakes can find relevant and authoritative content in the form of our SOS Alerts and Public Alerts. These alerts include emergency phone numbers and websites, maps, translations of useful phrases, donation opportunities, and more. Visit the Google Crisis Response website for a complete overview of Google’s crisis-related products and features.

FAQ for Crisis Map creators

I have crisis-related data (e.g. location of a hazard or temporary shelter) that I would like to visualize on a map. What Google tools can I use today?

Google has several different mapping tools available that may meet your needs:

  • Google My Maps: Easily draw points, lines and polygons on a Google map; import data/KML with Google Sheets; and quickly share a link or embed this map on your website. 
  • Google Earth for web & mobile: View KMLs in a simple web viewer or mobile app with 3D imagery. Create and share interactive stories about places. 
  • Google Earth Pro: View multiple datasets over 3D imagery and terrain. Import GIS and GPS data, imagery, etc. Share KML files with colleagues and stakeholders. 
  • Google Maps Platform: Build highly customized web & mobile experiences with static and dynamic maps, Street View imagery, and 360° views. Eligible Crisis response organizations may apply for Google Maps Platform credits.

I created a map using the Crisis Map editing tool. What will happen to my map?

Crisis Maps will no longer be available for editing or viewing, which includes maps created by Google. This means, links and embeds for published maps will stop working. However, since Crisis Map itself does not host the actual map layers or data, those will not be impacted. That data will still be available from whatever sources you used on your map. If you wish to save the information that makes up your maps — e.g. layer names, layer descriptions, data URLs, etc. — we suggest you copy and save those out of the Crisis Map editing interface and save on another platform. See a complete list of Google recommendations above.

Will there be any way to retrieve my Google Crisis Map data from Google in the future?

There will no longer be a way to retrieve your map information, such as layer names, layer descriptions, data URLs, etc. Since Crisis Map itself does not host the actual map layers or data, those will not be impacted, and they will still be available from whatever sources you used on the map.

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