Weather Heroes
Weather Heroes takes you on an insightful journey into the essential realm of disaster preparedness and response. We introduce you to key weather experts from diverse backgrounds and industries, shedding light on their vital roles before and after extreme weather events.
The financial, environmental, and human costs of weather disasters are staggering. In 2023 alone, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported 28 weather disasters, causing at least $92.9 billion in damage. This record-breaking year surpassed the previous high of 22 events in 2020. Since 1980, the U.S. has endured 376 major weather events, accumulating over $2.5 trillion in damages.
With the total damage estimate from 2024, including the L.A. Wildfire and the third costliest hurricane season (featuring Hurricane Helene), the overall cost will undoubtedly rise. Moreover, countless smaller-scale disasters also leave profound impacts on people's lives and properties.
Each weather event unfolds its own narrative, uniquely affecting individuals and communities. Weather Heroes connects you with those who rebuild lives—sharing stories of resilience and unwavering dedication.
Episodes
19 episodes
The Katrina Chronicles: An Insurance Agent's Heroic Story!
In the first of our Katrina Chronicles series, we have the privilege of speaking with EG Warren, a veteran insurance agent boasting over fifty years of invaluable experience. EG reflects on his early days in the insurance industry on the Missis...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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34:43
Weather Heroes Season Two Begins - and the Katrina Chronicles!
Welcome to the introduction to Season Two of the Weather Heroes podcast. We’re starting a little late, but we are also starting off with a bang! This season we begin focusing on Hurricane Katrina, while still on the lookout for Weather Heroes, ...
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2:22
Helping Solve the Insurance Crisis - Van Carlson and 831(b) Plans
Insurance policies help manage the costs of damage. This can be from severe weather events, wildfires, earthquakes, lightning strikes, and so many other perils. Still, there are situations where insurance may not cover a loss or onl...
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Episode 15
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26:12
The Genesis of a Weather Hero - Meet Meteorologist Raya Maday!
Weather Heroes explores the world of planning for and responding to disasters. We visit with key weather players from a wide range of backgrounds and today, we have the pleasure of meeting Raya Maday, a dedicated meteorologist and a key figure ...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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16:56
Reputation and Brand Damage After a Catastrophe - A Discussion With Stephanie Craig of Kith
Every day, businesses and organizations face the potential for reputational damage. Severe weather events and other catastrophes can create a sudden onslaught of challenges that can significantly increase the likelihood of something going...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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24:41
The National Hurricane Center - Deputy Director Jamie Rhome!
Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Jamie Rhome. He’s the Deputy Director of the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami. Jamie plays a crucial role in developing long-term strategies as well as coordinating the organization’s plannin...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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28:33
Navigating Weather Crises - A Conversation with Anna McRay, Emergency Management Leader
In this episode, we delve into the high-stakes world of emergency management with Anna McRay. As the Assistant Director of Emergency Management for New Hanover County, Anna shoulders the responsibility of safeguarding lives and property during ...
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Episode 11
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25:58
The Bug Man Cometh!
Hurricanes, heavy storms, tornadoes, floods, and similar disasters can lead to problems with a variety of insects and other creepy crawlies. With two broods of cicadas emerging and bugs in the news we talk with Paul Bello -entomologist e...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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25:34
Effective Compassion, Serving with Humility: Samaritan's Purse
Samaritan’s Purse is an international, nondenominational, evangelical Christian disaster relief organization. Founded in 1970, it provides aid to people in need across the globe. Following the example of the Good Samaritan as found in the Bible...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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34:29
Hurricane Season is Here! The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is Ready!
As we enter the 2024 hurricane season, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) predicts an above-average year for named storms—somewhere between 17 and 25. Effective planning is crucial for successful disaster response, especially considering the l...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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39:44
New Episodes Coming Out Soon!
I've been on a bit of a hiatus camping out, communing with nature. There was a lot of rain and mud involved! The good news is I did catch (and release) a couple of speckled king snakes!I try to get episodes out roughly every two weeks, s...
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1:18
The Siren's Call: Tornadoes, Severe Weather, and The National Weather Service
The episode starts with the trailer of the exciting 1996 film “Twister,” featuring Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton. It sets the stage for our interview today with Mark Fox. As the Meteorologist-in-Charge at the National Weather Service Forecast Offi...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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29:59
Logistics - Hero Style!
Each type of disaster presents unique challenges and in these critical moments, logistics plays a pivotal role. Today we talk with Angela Ruth Corbett. She has extensive experience in disaster response logistics and can shed light on the ...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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32:14
National Weather Service Incident Meteorologists - Into the Danger Zone!
Did you know that the National Weather Service has a SWAT Team? Well, not quite SWAT, but pretty close! Today we talk with Robert Rickey who is an IMET – an Incident Meteorologist. They are a group of about 100 forecasters who go to where the d...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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29:33
Why Weather Heroes? - Hurricane Andrew Revisited
There have been many hurricanes before, but not like Andrew. It changed many things, not just for Miami, but across the US: how everyone prepares for hurricanes, building codes, insurance practices, mitigation efforts, the list is long.
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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13:07
The National Weather (Heroes) Service
The National Weather Service (NWS) provides weather, water, and climate forecasts and warnings for the United States, its territories, adjacent waters and ocean areas. They play an indispensable role in the protection of life and property and t...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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29:53
Can You Hear Me Now?
In 1983, the DynaTAC 8000X cellular telephone, affectionately known as “the brick,” entered the market. Those of us of a certain age, certainly remember it! Since then, cell phones have seamlessly woven themselves into our daily l...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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23:02