Oral History Interview with Billy Ray Hall, January 20, 2000. Interview K-0509. Southern Oral History Program Collection (#4007).
Audio with Transcript
Listen Online with Text Transcript
(Requires QuickTime and JavaScript)
Transcript Only (28 p.)
HTML file
XML/TEI source file
Download Complete Audio File (MP3 format / ca. 83.1 MB, 00:45:25)
MP3
Abstract
Billy Ray Hall, as President of the Rural Economic Development Center, coordinated North Carolina's clean-up and recovery efforts after Hurricane Floyd. In this information-rich interview, Hall discusses the scope of the damage in eastern North Carolina. He focuses on the economic effects of the flood, but briefly discusses the environmental impact as well, claiming that the much-feared hog lagoon flooding actually had only marginal impact. Hall describes how a lack of preparation stifled North Carolina's response to flooding and wind damage, but he thinks the ongoing recovery effort is going well and is optimistic about North Carolina's future preparedness. Hall does not describe at any length how North Carolinians affected by the flood responded to the disaster and its aftermath, and he does not go into detail about on-the-ground rebuilding programs.
Excerpts
Role of the Rural Economic Development Center in hurricane recovery
The vast damage caused by Hurricane Floyd
Desire for smart farming to insulate against future hurricane damage
Smart development to minimize hurricane damage
The challenge and expense of restoring flood-damaged farmland
Housing, economic, and public health needs after a natural disaster
Role of grassroots organizations in coordinating disaster relief
Frustration with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Hurricanes Floyd and Irene's vast damage to livestock and fisheries
Hope that diversification will save North Carolina's agricultural economy
Hurricane Floyd as a learning experience
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
North Carolina--Politics and government--1951-
North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center
Hall, Billy Ray
Hurricane Floyd, 1999
Floods--North Carolina
Disaster relief--North Carolina
Hurricane Fran, 1996
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.