Narrative

While friends Chiara Cox and Elen Callahan did not grow up together, they share a similar journey. They were both born in the Philippines, but eventually moved to the United States. Although they sought to assimilate into their new American culture, they began to long for the people and traditions they had once known in their youth.

When Harriet Hancock's middle child, Greg, came out to her as gay, she instantly accepted and supported him. But she learned that his friends who were gay had not received the same kind of acceptance as she had given her son.

After three months of explosive ordnance and heavy equipment training by the U.S. Army, 18-year-old Roger Thompson arrived for duty in Vietnam in March of 1968. During his service, he witnessed firsthand the terrors of war, which inspired his lifetime mission of helping fellow veterans who struggle with both the physical and mental effects of combat.

On August 28, 1963, an estimated 250,000 people made their way to Washington, D.C. to demand civil and economic rights for African Americans. In attendance at the March on Washington was Gloria Dreher Eaddy of Columbia, SC, who later became a friend and mentor to Dr. Bobby Donaldson, a professor at the University of South Carolina.

In the South Beltline and Gills Creek area of Columbia, many homes were extensively damaged by 2015’s historic “thousand-year flood.” Rachel Larratt, a survivor turned volunteer from that area, reflects on the water rising in her own home, as well as the deflated spirits of other survivors who continued to struggle to recover after the disaster.

In 2016, Larratt reflected on the impact the flood had on her family. This interview was originally produced for Narrative by Olivia Aldridge.

In the neighborhoods surrounding Lake Katherine, one of the most heavily flooded areas in Columbia during October 2015’s historic “thousand-year flood,” locals went from house to house on Jon boats and pontoons to rescue neighbors trapped in their flooded homes. 

Marwan Marzagao was among those who teamed up with a small group of men to help save others from harm’s way. The following year, he reflected on this experience.. This interview was originally produced for Narrative by Olivia Aldridge.

Last week, Narrative focused on South Carolina students who survived 2015’s historic “thousand-year flood.” This week, the focus shifts to the other side of the classroom, through the eyes of two teachers.

Elizabeth Webb and Louise Cruea survived South Carolina's flood before surviving a second massive flood in West Virginia the following summer. Their children, who were with them during both evacuations, have struggled with trauma from these disasters, like so many of the elementary-age children that Elizabeth and Louise teach.

In 2016, they reflected on their experiences. This conversation was originally produced for Narrative by Olivia Aldridge.

This edition of Narrative continues our look back on the 10th anniversary of the historic “thousand-year” flood of October 2015, which devastated several communities across South Carolina.

The following year, Columbia residents Davis and Maegan Latham shared their experience of being displaced after their family’s home was damaged by the massive floodwaters. The siblings struggled to keep up with the demands of high school while living in “less than ideal” circumstances.

This conversation was originally produced for Narrative by Olivia Aldridge.

You can find full transcripts here.

On this edition of Narrative, we mark the 10th anniversary of the historic “thousand-year” flood of October 2015, when relentless rainfall devastated communities across South Carolina.

A year after the flood, Columbia resident Beki Gettys and her eleven-year-old son Eli sat down to talk about the morning they awoke to flood waters overtaking their neighborhood.

They spoke with StoryCorps, a national initiative to record and collect stories of everyday people. This conversation was originally produced for Narrative by Laura Hunsberger.

You can find full transcripts here.