A world-renowned storm chaser is building his own ‘hurricane house’ on the MS Coast
Josh Morgerman might not have grown up in Hancock County — or Mississippi — but he still considers himself a “Bay Rat.”
And he has good reason. For the current and last two hurricane seasons, the world-renowned storm chaser has rented a quaint cottage, his “Hurricane House,” a few blocks from downtown Bay St. Louis.
Morgerman, known by his hundreds of thousands of followers as iCyclone, said he’s been soaking in the Bay life. He prefers to bike rather than drive and loves listening to live music at the local bars while dining at beachfront restaurants.
“It’s got a real downtown. It’s got this strong, beating heart,” he said of Old Town Bay St. Louis, one of the trendiest areas on the Coast. ”I really dig that.”
The storm chaser has grown so fond of the bay, in fact, that the Los Angeles thrill seeker is building a home of his own here.
Morgerman began living in Bay St. Louis for half the year in 2020. With airline travel limited because of the COVID pandemic, the Coast was a good midway point between Texas and Florida. Morgerman could easily pack up and get across the Gulf South to chase storms during a particularly active year for hurricanes.
This year, Morgerman bought land about a block from the beach in Old Town Bay St. Louis and is building “Hurricane House 2.0,” a shotgun-style home that will be reinforced to withstand severe weather.
The house, designed by Connie Dobrowski of Dixie Home Designs, will look like the other traditional New Orleans-inspired cottages that line the streets and neighborhoods of Old Town.
“My house should look like a refurbished old house,” Morgerman said. “I’m building in the historic district, and I want to respect that.”
Morgerman is taking extra steps to protect the home from hurricanes. He’s using Hardie siding.
“It withstands rain, hail, high winds, storms, snow, ice, harsh humidity, and temperature changes,” according to Stateline Exteriors. “It resists moisture penetration, saving homeowners the hassles involved in repairs due to rotting, swelling or warping.”
Morgerman is also adding real, custom shutters so he’ll never have to board the windows. He chose a metal roof, and it will be specially braced and reinforced.
The builder is Beau Ladner of Paramount Contracting. Structural and forensic engineer Tim Marshall is reviewing the plans and making recommendations to ensure wind resistance, Morgerman said.
Morgerman’s property sits at 19 feet above sea level, and he’s raising the house an additional 4 feet, he said. The only time water ever reached it was during Katrina.
The land is ready and construction should start on the home soon, Morgerman said in late August.
“I’ve really fallen in love with Bay St. Louis and Coastal Mississippi,” he said. “It’s just like home for me.”
This story was originally published September 7, 2022 at 5:50 AM.
