Tammy Savage, a general manager at Microsoft came up with an idea about four and a half years ago when Hurricane Katrina took place.  During times of emergencies, it is difficult for phone calls to go through.  Phone lines start to jam.

Vine can be used through a Windows desktop client, text messages, or e-mail.  Vine also gathers local news around where you are from 20,000 difference sources along with public safety announcements from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.  Vine also gathers status updates from Facebook and recent tweets from Twitter.

Currently the service is in private beta so the company can receive feedback.

[via TechCrunch]