In the twenty years since Hurricane Katrina, numerous storms and tornadoes have brought death and destruction to our nation. But for Mississippi, no other event has had as much of an impact, with the possible exception of Hurricane Camile.

Anyone who lived here during that time has a Katrina story and while some of the details have faded in the decades that followed, the emotional trauma remains just below the surface.

Within a month of Katrina, the Center for Oral History and Cultural Heritage began planning an oral history project to preserve those stories while the details were fresh and the trauma apparent.

In this episode, we hear from National Guard leaders who used their Katrina experiences to guide them through subsequent catastrophes. And we discuss disaster preparedness with historians and how the proposed elimination of FEMA could affect our state in the future.

To those conversations, we add the stories of individuals who used their trauma as a catalyst for change.

Hosted by Bill Ellison

Produced by Ross Walton

Executive Producer Dr. Kevin Greene.

Written by Ross Walton, Isabel Loya, Jerra Runnels, Andrew Leib, and Holli Parker.

Additional interviews were conducted by Isabel Loya, Jerra Runnels and Andrew Leib.

Special thanks to the Center for the Study of the National Guard and the Mississippi Humanities Council.

As the wind and rain began to die down, people crawled from the wreckage to survey the damages left by Hurricane Katrina. The most common description of what they found was "a warzone."

First came the first responders seeking, listening, for survivors. Then came the Mississippi Army National Guard. They were soon joined by community and business leaders desperately searching for sources of water, food, and fuel to pass along to those in need.

Then came an army of volunteers from across the nation and around the world: from the American Red Cross and countless faith-based and philanthropic groups, to individuals with trucks, trailers, tools, and big hearts.

As the focus moved from rescue to recovery and finally to rebuilding, the physical and emotional stress began to show on even the most stalwart individuals as people returned to pick up the pieces from amongst the debris.

In this episode, we hear from key decision-makers from the Mississippi National Guard, along with community leaders, fire chiefs, bankers, nurses, and volunteers.

To their memories, we add stories of hope, despair and frustration, from individuals determined to rebuild their homes, lives, and livelihoods.

Hosted by Bill Ellison

Produced by Ross Walton

Executive Producer Dr. Kevin Greene.

Written by Ross Walton, Isabel Loya, Jerra Runnels, Andrew Leib, and Holli Parker.

Additional interviews were conducted by Isabel Loya, Jerra Runnels and Andrew Leib.

Special thanks to the Center for the Study of the National Guard and the Mississippi Humanities Council.

Graphic Design and Social Media: Isabel Loya

Early in morning of Monday, August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall near the Louisiana / Mississippi state line and the eyewall passed over the cities of Bay St. Louis and Waveland as a Category 3 hurricane. A 27 foot storm surge with sustained winds of 120 mph made for a devastating one-two punch that rocked even the most storm-hardened shelters and wiped away 90% of all structures within six miles of the beach.

Joining us for the interview today we have Dr. David Holt, Associate Professor of Geography in the School of Biological, Environmental and Earth Sciences and coordinator of the Sustainability Sciences BS program at USM, and Dr. Deanne Stephens, Co-Director of the Center for the Study of the Gulf South at USM.

To their expertise, we add the raw accounts of city officials, firemen, nurses, and everyday people who share their stories of survival and tragedy during those harrowing hours when life and death hung in the balance.

Hosted by Bill Ellison

Produced by Ross Walton

Executive Producer Dr. Kevin Greene.

Written by Ross Walton, Isabel Loya, Jerra Runnels, Andrew Leib, and Holli Parker.

Additional interviews were conducted by Isabel Loya, Jerra Runnels and Andrew Leib.

Special thanks to the Center for the Study of the National Guard and the Mississippi Humanities Council.