Panel: "Come Hell and High Water": The Role of Archivists, Historical Myths, and Activism in Communities Facing Repeated Extreme Flooding Events

Abstract

With the names Harvey, Sandy, and Katrina ringing loudly in our ears – can we still learn valuable lessons from the archives of Diane, Camille, and Agnes? In many cases, we thought we had, but climate change is increasingly contributing to more frequent and violent tropical cyclogenesis, repeated extreme flooding, and rising oceans. These events have opened questions of survival for communities across the United States. In a 2013 article titled “Come Hell and High Water,” activist and author Bill McKibben posed the questions “what's an appropriate response? What even begins to match the magnitude of the trouble we face?” How can archives respond? In this session, a group of panelists will each provide brief professional statements and thematic discussions addressing such questions, followed by a town hall participatory discussion. We will discuss how our profession can help educate the public regarding history and myths surrounding climate, weather, response and recovery. ----- Moderator: Jay-Marie Brevant, Director of Research Services and Education, University of Kentucky