159. Josh Morgerman, World’s Top Hurricane Chaser

Show Notes:

Josh Morgerman describes his initial move to LA to work in the movie industry, which didn't work out. He then started a web design company called Symblaze in the late 90s, which survived the dot-com crash by expanding to Eastern Europe and working with Russia and Eastern Bloc countries  while living in Prague. Josh shares his dual passion for weather and advertising, leading to a career as a hurricane chaser while still running Symblaze. 

A Pivotal Moment in the Philippines

Josh explains his obsession with violent weather and how he started hunting hurricanes in his 30s. He was also working in the corporate world, still running his company. He led two parallel existences of a brand and advertising consultant, working as a strategist and creative director in his company, and also hunting hurricanes and typhoons around the world and collecting data. He describes a pivotal moment in the Philippines where his hurricane chasing career collided with his corporate life. Josh details his experience in the Philippines during a terrifying typhoon that left thousands dead. Surrounded by desperate people in the water, he jumped in to help rescue people, and it was video and broadcast on news outlets all around the world, including CNN. He discusses how his two careers coexisted and how he eventually moved to Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, to continue both.

At the Center of the Hurricane

Josh explains the process of hurricane chasing, focusing on collecting data from the calm center of the storm, which, he explains, is rich in data. He describes the adrenaline rush of being inside a hurricane and how it became a professional sport for him. Josh shares his experience of chasing Melissa, a category five hurricane in Jamaica, and the challenges he faced. He discusses the importance of data collection for scientists and how it helps in post-analysis of hurricanes. Josh describes the essential items in his hurricane go-bag, emphasizing portability and durability. He explains the importance of water and protein bars for sustenance during chases. Josh details the dangerous aspects of hurricane chasing, including the violent winds and flying debris. He shares his experience of being in the eye of a hurricane and the unique calm it brings.

The Storm Chasing Community

Josh discusses the storm chasing community, including tornado chasers and the cultural differences between them. He describes the competitive nature of hurricane chasing and his position as the world's leading hurricane chaser. Josh mentions the growing presence of women in the storm chasing community and the Instagram community called Girls Who Chase. He explains the versatility of storm chasers, who often cover various extreme weather events for media outlets.

 

Hurricane Chasing Technology

Josh explains the use of computer models to predict hurricane paths and intensities.

He describes the process of monitoring these models every six hours to stay updated on potential storms. Josh discusses the importance of knowing which storms to chase and which to avoid, and how to prepare for potentially dangerous and unexpected crises. He shares his experience of traveling to remote locations and the logistical challenges involved.

International Storm Chasing

Josh describes the process of booking flights and accommodations for international storm chases. He shares his experience of adapting to unexpected situations and the importance of staying calm.

Josh discusses the challenges of chasing storms in different cultures and the varying levels of police enforcement, and how he deals with these situations. He specifically mentions the stringent rules in Australia, and explains the role of his media credentials in gaining access to storm-affected areas.

Media and the Hurricane Man

Josh talks about his career as a paid storm chaser and his work with various media outlets. He mentions his involvement in reality series like Hurricane Man and his role as a brand ambassador for hurricane-resistant products. Josh discusses the financial aspects of his career and how it supports his storm chasing activities. He shares his experience of promoting brands like James Hardie and their hurricane-resistant products.

Measuring Hurricane Behavior

Josh explains the significance of measuring air pressure in the eye of a hurricane. He describes the role of his data in post-analysis by the National Hurricane Center. Josh shares his experience of chasing Melissa in Jamaica and the importance of accurate data collection. He discusses the broader impact of his data on understanding hurricane intensity and behavior. Josh reflects on his early interest in weather and how it influenced his career.

He shares his experience of chasing his first hurricane, Hurricane Bob, and the primitive methods used at the time. Josh discusses the cultural experiences he's had through storm chasing and how it has broadened his perspective.

Harvard Reflections 

He mentions the influence of his Harvard education, particularly in Cold War foreign policy, on his current analysis of global threats. He mentions how his education introduced him to political cycles through history, and how principles learned he finds applicable today. He mentions professor Ernest May in the Department of History, who was a proponent of historical analogy and talked about the limitations of making aggressive comparisons. Josh still refers to his wisdom in his analysis of what's going on in the world.

Timestamps:

03:02: The Dual Life of a Hurricane Chaser

05:16: The Science and Thrill of Hurricane Chasing

06:51: Preparation and Equipment for Hurricane Chasing 

09:16: The Community and Culture of Storm Chasing 

15:34: The Role of Technology in Hurricane Chasing 

19:33: The Practicalities of International Storm Chasing 

19:51: The Business and Media Side of Hurricane Chasing 

40:35: The Importance of Data Collection in Hurricane Research 

41:07: Personal Reflections and Historical Connections

Links: 

Social media:

https://www.facebook.com/iCyclone/

https://x.com/iCyclone

https://www.instagram.com/icyclone1/

https://www.youtube.com/icyclone

Websites:

As a stormchaser: https://www.icyclone.com/

As an ad man: https://www.symblaze.com/

This episode on The 92 Report: 

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The featured non-profit of this week’s is brought to you by Kristen Hunter who reports:

Hi. I'm Kristen Hunter, class of 1992. The featured non-profit of this episode of The 92 report is the Goldie Initiative. The Goldie Initiative empowers women to become real estate industry leaders by providing scholarships, mentorship and professional development designed to cultivate future executives across the real estate sector. I'm honored to serve as a member of the Goldie Initiative's Boston Executive Advisory Council, supporting an organization that has transformed the professional trajectories of a number of our Harvard real estate students. You can learn more and support their mission at Goldie initiative. That's G, o, l, D, I, E, initiative.org, and now here's Will Bachman with this week's episode.

This episode on The 92 Report: https://92report.com/?post_type=podcast&p=1897&preview=true

*AI generated show notes and transcript