ABSTRACT
The relationships between journalists and public relations practitioners were never clearer, or more chaotic, than during and in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Hurricane Rita. Public relations professionals had their hands full as they sought to address the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, a crisis situation that threatened the viability and reputation of local and state government and related agencies, businesses, and nonprofits. Using the contingency theory of public relations, the researchers sought to understand the extent to which public relations professionals balanced accommodating their publics and advocating on behalf of their organizations in the days following the storms. The public relations professionals, in the aftermath of the storms, affirm to prepare for the next story, to be ready, to make clear who is responsible for what, to have the assignments made, and to know whom to contact. Kendall Hebert mentioned incorporating advocacy into media relations by expressing the needs of the organization.
