Weather Heroes

The Katrina Chronicles: Battle for the Mississippi Coast - Brigadier General Spraggins

Brigadier General Benjamin J. “Joe” Spraggins – Professional Profile In this episode of the Weather Heroes series, The Katrina Chronicles, we meet the man who oversaw the Harrison County, MS response and recovery efforts following Katrina’s devastating impact.  Brigadier General Benjamin J. “Joe” Spraggins (Ret.) is a distinguished military and public service leader with over 34 years in the U.S. Air Force. He retired in 2006 as a Brigadier General. He commanded the Combat Readiness Training Center Gulfport, the 186th Air Refueling Wing in Meridian, MS, and served as Chief of Staff of the Tennessee Air National Guard. An aviator with more than 3,400 flight hours, his final assignment was Battle Commander for the Continental United States Region under NORAD, overseeing U.S. air sovereignty. Following his military career, Spraggins became the Harrison County, MS Emergency Management Director, coordinating recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina, the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill (2010), the Haiti earthquake (2010), and the Nashville flood (2010). While recounting his Katrina experiences, the General describes the many challenges to recovery, shares some very moving stories, and provides insights into the long-term recovery efforts along the MS coast and what can be done to prepare for a worst-case scenario. In 2013, he joined the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) and currently serves as the Executive Director. He leads programs in coastal restoration, resiliency, and marine fisheries. General Spraggins also serves on multiple regional and national boards, including the Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Council, Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission, and Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport Authority.  Known for his dedication to coastal Mississippi, he is a respected leader in disaster recovery, marine resource management, and community service “Have a very good plan, practice it regularly, and be ready for what can happen; be prepared for war with nature. Never get complacent”

The Katrina Chronicles: From Chaos to Chalkboards - Rebuilding Education After Katrina

In this episode of our ongoing Katrina Chronicles, we discuss the recovery of coastal Mississippi schools in the aftermath of that devastating hurricane. The massive destruction of school buildings, the loss of facilities, faculty and staff presented unprecedented challenges. Almost everyone – teachers, parents and pupils were unhoused and had evacuated to places across the southeastern US.  Today, Glen East, Gulfport School District Superintendent, talks us through the journey to normalize one of the major aspects of daily life – school.  The decision to get the schools up and running as quickly as possible met a critical need for Katrina’s youngest victims. Studies later confirmed that school life, with its routine, safety, and sense of caring, was vital in helping the children cope with the daily challenges wrought by the aftermath of Katrina. Amazingly, the first schools were able to be reopened in 26 days! Resources were gathered from around the country, partnerships made with other districts, solutions found to the many, many challenges. The reopening of schools in Gulfport and other coastal communities was paramount to help begin healing the devastated city. So, join me in welcoming Mr. East as he recounts the post Katrina days and the rebuilding of a school district and community.

The Katrina Chronicles: Delivering Hope and Courage in the Midst of Devastation

When Hurricane Katrina tore through the Mississippi Gulf Coast on August 29, 2005, Gulfport Police Sergeant Andy Ratcliffe found himself at the heart of one of America’s most devastating natural disasters. A native Mississippian with an infectious enthusiasm for life, he helped maintain order and lead rescue efforts in the storm’s immediate aftermath. As a military pilot, he also took to the skies, flying FEMA and other officials over the wreckage and delivering lifesaving supplies by helicopter to stranded survivors. In this episode, Colonel Ratcliffe reflects on the chaos and courage of those days: neighborhoods erased overnight, airports operating without controllers, and military‑style drop sites becoming lifelines for desperate families. He shares vivid first‑hand accounts of the destruction, the resilience of Gulfport’s community spirit, and the rally points that kept responders united when everything else was falling apart. Commissioned as an aviation officer in 1998, his current command assignments include: Commander, A/1-185 AVN, Commander, I/1-185th AVN, Commander, HHC/1108th AVN GRP, and Commander of A/1108th AVN GRP. He has served as the Brigade AVN Officer for 155th ABCT, Executive Officer for 1-185 AVN Regiment, and Chief of Staff for 66th Troop Command. He has deployments to Iraq, Kuwait and Kosovo. He currently serves as the Facility Commander at the MS-AVCRAD and is also the Commander of the 1108th TASMG. Colonel Ratcliffe is the recipient of numerous military awards and decorations which include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal and Master Army Aviator Badge. He has seen Gulfport recover over the years as he continues his orientation towards service as a community leader.  He serves on the Board of Directors for Leadership Gulf Coast, the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center, Gulf Coast Business Council, and the Gulf Coast Boys & Girls Club while also a Deacon of the First Baptist Church of Gulfport. Andy Ratcliffe’s story is more than a remembrance—it’s a testament to service, leadership, and the unbreakable will of a community recovering from a catastrophe.

The Katrina Chronicles: Rebuilding Gulfport, One Act of Kindness at a Time

In this next episode we meet Ferrell Alman. When Hurricane Katrina unleashed its fury on Gulfport, Mississippi, it left behind a city in ruins - landmarks erased, homes shattered, lives forever altered. Among those caught in the storm’s path was Mr. Alman, a local business owner whose own home and family were affected. But Ferrell didn’t retreat from the devastation. He stepped forward. We'll hear Ferrell’s remarkable story of resilience and compassion. Rather than succumb to despair, he turned his home and his business into lifelines for those who had lost everything. His actions helped spark a wave of recovery and hope in a city struggling to find its footing. Ferrell shares how Katrina reshaped Gulfport, how neighbors became lifelines, and how a community found strength in unity. His story is a testament to the power of local leadership and the extraordinary good that can come when people choose to care. “You survive, you persevere... you just learn how to adapt, and your whole world kind of changes.” - Ferrell Alman Ferrell Alman isn’t just a business owner - he’s a cornerstone of Gulfport’s recovery and a shining example of what it means to show up when it matters most.

The Katrina Chronicles: Broadcasting Through the Storm!

When Hurricane Katrina struck the Mississippi Gulf Coast, chaos reigned and communication was critical. At the heart of the storm’s coverage was Dave Vincent, a seasoned broadcaster and station manager of WLOX-TV, He delivered life-saving information to a community in crisis. As the disaster unfolded, Dave and his team provided award-winning coverage that kept residents informed, connected, and hopeful. A veteran of the news industry, Dave holds degrees from three colleges, including a master’s in public relations from the University of Southern Mississippi. He continues to serve on the university’s School of Mass Communication and Journalism Advisory Board and has been inducted into both the school’s Hall of Fame and the Mississippi Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame. Dave’s leadership and dedication during Katrina exemplify the vital role of local journalism in times of disaster. His tireless work—alongside the entire WLOX-TV team—ensured that the people of Gulfport and Biloxi had the information they needed to make life-or-death decisions. “I wish today we had that camaraderie we had back then. People really came together and helped each other.”  - Dave Vincent