In Part 2 of this 2-part interview with Eleanor Kitzman, we discuss tree falls as a major hazard in windstorms, explore insights about hail as a major weather peril, and discuss the importance of disaster prevention. Kitzman is a lawyer, insurance executive, and entrepreneur, who lives near Austin, Texas. She is the former insurance commissioner for Texas and South Carolina.

In Part 1 of this 2-part interview with Eleanor Kitzman, we compare insights from the February 2021 Texas Freeze, discuss Kitzman’s journey into insurance, and give perspective on how to build better through the Fortified project. Kitzman is a lawyer, insurance executive, and entrepreneur, who lives near Austin, Texas. She is the former insurance commissioner for Texas and South Carolina.

Mostly recorded in the lobby of the Courtyard by Marriott hotel in Houma, Louisiana, on August 31 during Hurricane Ida, Hal interviews Marissa Moreno, General Manager of the hotel. The Marriott stood on relatively high ground and served as a refuge to local people who faced life-threatening flooding on the low-lying ground "down da bayou." This episode provides a great example of how professionals in hotels and hospitality can reach out to serve their community during a disaster.

Growing up in the Everglades, Jennifer Tisthammer is now a public information officer with Miami Dade County and a doctoral candidate. Her lifelong relationship with South Florida gives her a unique perspective on the minute changes that have taken place in this important area, from climate change to invasive species. She'll also introduce us to micro-time periods.

Will Mizell, VP of People, at Waffle House, shares how Waffle House became such an integral part of disaster response. Mr. Mizell oversees Waffle House’s crisis response team and coordinates with teams in the field. We're also digging into the now-famous "Waffle House Index."

Melissa Moon is a storm chaser and mom based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. She shares her passion for tornadoes and severe weather, along with 18 years of insights into storm chasing. She currently works in the insurance industry, helping restore the lives of storm victims.

Ned Rozell is a science writer and adventure traveler who has lived in Interior Alaska for more than 30 years. In this episode, he shares stories on the impacts of a wide variety of disasters in The Last Frontier, including earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, heatwaves, extreme cold, and melting permafrost, a slow-motion disaster that occurs as frozen soil thaws in warming weather. Mr. Rozell has also trekked the entire 800-mile Alaska Pipeline, twice!

☀️ Listen to our first full episode and interview, featuring Liz Chamberlain, a National Science Foundation postdoc, and scientist with extensive experience doing fieldwork in marine sedimentology. Liz shares insights from South Louisiana and Bangladesh—did you know that rivers naturally want to change their courses, meaning the infrastructure we build along rivers to control them is literally “fighting nature?” Dr. Chamberlain also provides some useful advice for young professionals and aspiring scientists interested in fieldwork.

Welcome to Geotrek! Hosted by Dr. Hal Needham and presented by CNC.