Nash Roberts Hurricane Papers

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: Collection 26

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of the vast accumulation of hurricane files compiled by Nash Roberts during his years as a meteorologist in New Orleans. Specifically, the collection includes: reconnaissance data and weather reports, maps, books and film, and oversize maps of hurricanes Betsy and Camille.

Dates

Created: 1948-1995
Other: Date acquired: 01/07/2010

Creator

Roberts, Nash (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research use. No known restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Physical rights are retained by the J. Edgar & Louise S. Monroe Library, Loyola University New Orleans. Copyright is retained in accordance with U.S. copyright laws.

Biographical or Historical Information

Nash Roberts was born in New Orleans in 1918 and developed an interest in aeronautics and meteorology as a child. He was graduated from Fortier High School and while a Loyola University student, took courses through the Civil Aeronautics Administration. Following certification by the federal agency, he and his brother opened the Roberts School of Aeronautics and the student became an instructor at age 23 at both Loyola and Tulane. During World War II, Navy pilot Roberts joined the staff of Admiral Chester Nimitz and was the first to fly through a typhoon, forecasting its landfall on the island of Japan and enabling the Navy to schedule air strikes accordingly. When the war ended, he returned to New Orleans and began a private meteorological service, Nash C. Roberts, Jr., Consultants, Inc., providing weather forecasting services and advice to oil companies, maritime operations, fishermen and others doing business in and around the Gulf of Mexico. In 1949 he made his first foray into television at fledgling station WDSU, commenting on an unnamed hurricane. In 1951 he was finally persuaded to join the newsroom staff, and professional TV weathercasting in New Orleans was born. His association with WDSU continued for 22 years. From 1974-1978 he appeared on WVUE and joined the WWL staff in 1978. He officially retired in 1984 but was "on call" as a WWL hurricane consultant until Hurricane Georges made its appearance in 1998. As thousands evacuated, Nash made the correct call one last time. The man with the marker was the first TV weatherman to forecast the storm's turn away from the city. In 2001 he retired completely to care for his wife of more than 60 years, Lydia. Soon after retirement, he donated his extensive collection of hurricane files to Special Collections and Archives at Monroe Library, perpetuating his long association with Loyola University. A former student and instructor, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science from the university in 1984 and was a founding member ofthe Loyola Library Visiting Committee.

Note written by

Extent

35.00 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Mention Nash Roberts, and generations of New Orleanians, who have never met him in person, will remember a treasured friend. For more than 40 years, anxious residents of the "city in a bowl" listened and watched attentively as this meteorologist-turned-reluctant TV celebrity calmly and thoughtfully explained and predicted the paths of hurricanes. He gathered all the technical information available and distilled it for presentation to the TV audience with the simplest of tools - a magic marker and erasable board. And when his forecast was complete, the public was reassured and better prepared.

Arrangement Note

Series I: Reconnaissance Data and Weather Reports (Boxes 1-48) Weather bureau and reconnaissance reports, small tracking maps and bulletins prepared by Nash Roberts Consulting, Inc., for clients doing business in the Gulf of Mexico. The folders and the material in each box are arranged in chronological order. Of particular interest are the extensive collections ofmaterial about Hurricanes Betsy (1965) and Camille (1969) which include first-hand accounts ofpersonal experiences. Series II: Maps, Books and Film (Boxes 49-57) The boxes in Series II, also in chronological order, contain maps, ranging from hand-plotted tracking charts to satellite images. Two copies of Roberts' book "The Story of Extreme Hurricane Camille," 35-millimeter radar films and 16-millimeter KTS satellite time lapse film (all pertaining to Camille) are to be found in the largest box. Series III: Oversize Maps of Hurricanes Betsy and Camille (Portfolios 1-7) The largest tracking maps of Hurricanes Betsy and Camille are housed in portfolios on the shelves.