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.

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.

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