The 2025 memoir "Gulfport Rising: A Florida Beach Community Reflects on Hurricanes Helene & Milton" reveals a community profoundly altered by the record-breaking storm surges of late 2024. Curated by Lynn Taylor, the collection of narratives, poems, and art from over 40 residents highlights several key insights into the community's experience: 

• Shift in "Hurricane Mind": Contributors describe a psychological shift from viewing hurricanes as "adventurous" gales to recognizing them as radically destructive entities. This "evolved hurricane mind" is marked by a somber awareness of human frailty against elemental forces like the surges seen in 2024.
• The Catharsis of Storytelling: For many, contributing to the book served as a tool for "reconciling trauma". The act of filtering their experiences through artistic lenses—such as poetry or photography—was described as cathartic and essential for emotional healing.

Key Contributors and Participants

While the book serves as a collective memoir, several individuals and groups are highlighted for their specific roles or artistic contributions:

• Lynn Taylor: The project's organizer and editor, Taylor was inspired by her own displacement after Hurricane Helene to create a tangible historical record of the community's resilience.
• Michael Arthur Taylor: The contributor of “Hurricane Mind” and the editor's husband, who assisted with the project.
• Paula Roy: A local artist and hurricane victim who contributed the painting Gulfport Hope and collaborated with Taylor to create a corresponding art exhibit, "After the Storm," at the Hickman Theater.
• Ahmad Alaraj: Owner of The Shawarma King, Alaraj is featured for his work with World Central Kitchen to provide free meals to residents after the 2024 storms.
• Amy Howell & Deserie Valloreo: Resident artists at the DRV Gallery whose artwork, such as Howell's Residence and Valloreo's Path to the Bayou, is included in the compendium.
• Derek Donnelly: A local muralist whose artwork is associated with the project's visual documentation.
• Cathy Salustri: Journalist and owner of The Gabber Newspaper (the book's publisher), whose photography of flooded downtown Gulfport is featured.