Surviving this hurricane might be easier than living with Grandma.
Three generations. One tiny apartment on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. And a storm like no one has experienced before.
Jessie is a sharp, inquisitive girl. She and her mom Anna struggle to ride the unpredictable waves of Grandma’s demands, but they can barely keep their heads above water.
When Hurricane Katrina batters their home, Jessie must confront the storm surge and her own self-talk. As she endures and perseveres, Jessie learns that resilience is not just about preparation, and Grandma has her own survival stories.
Ready to Go? Book 3
You can read these books in any order.
20th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina was in August 2025.
Lisa visited the resilient communities on the Mississippi Gulf Coast …
“Katrina surely did a number on our Gulf Coast, and the author describes the storm’s power and damage in realistic detail. I admire Jessie as she takes charge while going through all the trials and emotions of teenage years.”
“Hatfield’s latest novel, To Ride a Storm Surge, reads like it was written by a local. Likely the closest anyone will get to experiencing Hurricane Katrina from the front row like we did, as it turned every single aspect of our life upside-down and inside-out.”
click through gallery to see four pages of photos from our trip to the Mississippi Gulf Coast in August 2025 for the Remembrance of Hurricane Katrina
Waveland Ground Zero Museum signing at Library 1
shrimping boats in Pass Christian Harbor 1
Pass Christian Rotary Club 1
Pass Christian library visit 1
Lisa at Sea Level 1
Katrina volunteer thanks in Waveland 1
hurricane simulater Waveland Ground Zero Hurricane Museum 1
houses rebuilt on stilts 1
driving along Mississippi Sound 1
Children of the Storm panel at Ground Zero Museum in Waveland MS 1
building above regular water influxes 1
author panel Studio Waveland Lisa HC Porter Ellis Anderson and Father Sebastian 1
author panel Studio Waveland crowd 1
Click button above to download your copy of
“My ‘Ready to Go?’ Workbook”
This workbook shares ideas on ways you can be even more prepared for whatever comes your way.
I will also have printed copies with wire spiral bindings for sale at my book signings.
Write a review of To Ride a Storm Surge
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BOOK CLUB resources and BOOK REVIEW links:
Book Club discussion questions – click here for PDF to download … or click on Book Table tab at top of website for more resources
links to book review sites where you can mention To Ride a Storm Surge:
Author of ‘To Ride a Storm Surge’ Katrina book visits Pass Schools
Lisa visited the Gulf Coast in August 2025 for the Hurricane Katrina Remembrance events, on the 20th anniversary of this unprecedented storm. Above is a video of Lisa speaking at Pass Christian Middle School!
