Episode 2 - The Abandonment of Atsena Otie

Renowned environmental historian and Pulitzer Prize winning author Dr. Jack Davis discusses the 1896 hurricane which was the catalyst for the uprooting of Cedar Key from Atsena Otie, parallels and differences between the 1896 storm and the risks Cedar Key residents face today, and the role of history in informing coastal residents to make smart decisions today. 

Joshua Lubben provided voice acting for narration of historical account of W.P. Delaino which was found in "Search for Yesterday: A History of Levy County", accessed through the UF Digital Collections and Copyright Levy County Archives Committee. Delaino's account is found in Ch. 7, pages 18-23. Tooke's account is found in Ch. 20, page 15.

Intro & Outro Music from Mixkit Library - A War with Myself by Michael Ramir C.

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Chapters

• 0:11 Introduction
• 1:22 W.P. Delaino's Experience of the 1896 Cedar Keys Hurricane
• 4:08 Abandonment of Atsena Otie Key after the 1896 Storm
• 4:25 Introducing Dr. Jack Davis
• 5:47 Dr. Davis' Memory of Hurricane Camille
• 7:01 How have firsthand storm experiences shaped your perspective on writing about them?
• 8:05 What draw's people to coastal living despite the risks?
• 9:38 Cedar Key is less developed than other areas of coastal Florida, how do these differences impact resilience?
• 11:33 How does Cedar Key's relationship with the sea impact not only adaptation for hurricanes, but also sea level rise?
• 13:00 1896 Cedar Key Hurricane Story Maps Project
• 14:45 Dr. Davis's perception of differences between the 1896 hurricane and 2023 Hurricane Idalia for Cedar Key
• 17:05 Organizing the narrative of the 1896 storm around the hurricane's track
• 18:25 Timber and Turpentine Mills in the area
• 19:05 How does economic impact of the storms impact decisions to rebuild or not rebuild?
• 19:29 Lack of long-term hurricane memory
• 20:36 Need for better growth management on Florida's Coasts
• 21:30 Awareness of climate change and Dr. Davis's perception of his own role as an environmental historian
• 23:02 Dr. Davis's new book - "The American Coast: History and Prophecy at Land's End
• 23:29 With unprecedented challenges on the coast, Dr. Davis still sees hope for the future
• 24:49 How projects like the 1896 Story Maps help people moving into Florida from other areas understand the risk
• 26:29 Final Thoughts
• 27:45 Preview of Episode Three