Weather Heroes
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 industries and look at how they do their jobs before and after extreme weather strikes.
The cost of weather disasters can have a significant impact on the economy, environment, and people’s lives. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in 2023 there were 28 weather disasters that caused at least $92.9 billion dollars in damage. This record setting number exceeded the previous record of 22 in 2020. Since 1980, the U.S. has sustained 376 major events to exceed over two and a half trillion dollars! Of course, there are many disasters that are not “major” yet have serious impacts on peoples lives and property. Every weather event has it's own story, impacting people and their communities. We talk with the people that help rebuild those lives...the Weather Heroes.
Weather Heroes
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.
Andrew also ignited my passion for the excitement and reward of giving back to the community in times of disaster. That feeling carried me through decades of working in the catastrophe business. I’ve had the privilege of meeting many wonderful unsung heroes, the many people who help organize the chaos that is the disaster response and recovery world.
These champions need to have their stories told and that’s why I do this…these are the Weather Heroes.
Some "Andrew" voices you will hear:
Bryan Norcross - TV Meteorologist Extraordinaire and kept everyone company during the storm.
Bob Sheets - Director of the National Hurricane Center.
Kate Hale - Director of Dade County’s Office of Emergency Management.
Comments always welcome: weatherheroesrock@gmail.com. If you have a story you'd like to hear or know of a weather hero, send it my way!