Documenting the American South Logo
Collections >> The North Carolina Experience, Oral Histories of the American South >> Document Menu
Oral History Interview with Johnnie and Kathleen Bratten, January 15, 2000. Interview K-0508. Southern Oral History Program Collection (#4007).
Audio with Transcript
  • Listen Online with Text Transcript (Requires QuickTime and JavaScript)
  • Transcript Only (29 p.)
  • HTML file
  • XML/TEI source file
  • Download Complete Audio File (MP3 format / ca. 91.7 MB, 00:50:07)
  • MP3
  • Abstract
    Johnnie and Kathleen Bratten are longtime Tick Bite, North Carolina, residents whose home was completely destroyed in the flooding that accompanied Hurricane Floyd. At the time of the interview, the Brattens had received virtually no assistance from the government—just a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) trailer that let off fumes to which Kathleen was allergic. Instead, a group of religious groups and volunteers supplied the couple with money, appliances, and other aid. This outpouring of support and good will has strengthened their religious faith and belief in human kindness. This interview provides a snapshot of volunteer relief efforts and the extent to which church groups and other volunteers helped flood victims.
    Excerpts
  • Shock upon returning home to a flood-devastated community
  • A volunteer group steps in where FEMA fails
  • Faith in local aid networks
  • Gratitude for volunteer aid workers
  • Reliance on volunteer groups in the absence of help from FEMA
  • Learn More
  • Finding aid to the Southern Oral History Program Collection
  • Database of all Southern Oral History Program Collection interviews
  • Resources for Educators
  • Hurricane Floyd Learning Object
  • Subjects
  • Hurricane Floyd, 1999
  • Floods--North Carolina
  • Disaster relief--North Carolina
  • Bratten, Johnnie
  • Bratten, Kathleen
  • Tick Bite (N.C.)
  • United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency
  • The Southern Oral History Program transcripts presented here on Documenting the American South undergo an editorial process to remove transcription errors. Texts may differ from the original transcripts held by the Southern Historical Collection.

    Funding from the Institute for Museum and Library Services supported the electronic publication of this title.