Hurricane Andrew Strikes South Florida August 24,1992.

[windstorm99]

Basically wanted to create this thread as we approach the 15th anniversary of one of the most destructive hurricanes to ever hit the united states.

Hurricane Andrew is the second most destructive hurricane in U.S. history, and the final of three Category 5 hurricanes to make landfall in the United States in the 20th century. Striking as the first named storm of the 1992 Atlantic hurricane season in August 1992, Andrew caused damage in the northwestern Bahamas, southern Florida south of Miami, and south-central Louisiana.



Andrew's damage cost totaled $26 billion in 1992 ($45 billion in 2005 US dollars), with most of the cost concerning damage in south Florida. The storm caused 65 deaths. With a central pressure ranking as the fourth lowest in U.S. landfall records, Andrew remained the most devastating natural disaster in U.S. history until it was surpassed by Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 season.

Andrew started modestly as a tropical wave that emerged from the west coast of Africa on August 14, and passed south of the Cape Verde islands. The wave spawned a tropical depression on August 16, which became Tropical Storm Andrew the next day.

Further development was slow, as the west-northwestward moving Andrew encountered an unfavorable upper-level trough. Indeed, the storm almost dissipated on August 20 due to vertical wind shear. By August 21, Andrew was midway between Bermuda and Puerto Rico and then began turning westward into a more favorable environment. Rapid strengthening occurred, with Andrew reaching hurricane strength (sustained winds greater than 74 mph) on the 22nd and Category 5 status on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale on the 23rd, peaking with 152 knots (175 mph) winds and a minimum pressure of 922 hPa.The storm was extremely small, however, with gale-force (35 mph, 55 km/h) winds extending outwards only 90 miles (150 km) from the center.

(Hurricane Andrew at peak intensity on its way towards south florida.)



Andrew made landfall twice while moving through the Bahamas, crossing Eleuthera with 160 mph (260 km/h) winds and passing through the Berry Islands at Great Harbour Cay with sustained winds of 130 kots (150 mph) The storm weakened after its second landfall, maintaining strong winds but with the pressure rising to 937mb While crossing the Gulf Stream, however, Andrew quickly regained its strength, and briefly regained Category 5 status as it made landfall over south Florida on August 24 with 140 knots (165 mph) winds and pressure of 922mb.

(The last radar image taken of Hurricane Andrew from NHC before the WSR-57 radar was blown off the roof, 0835 UTC August 24, 1992.)



Andrew's catastrophic damage spawned many rumors, including claims that hundreds or even thousands of migrant farm workers in south Dade County (now Miami-Dade County) were killed and their deaths were not reported in official accounts. An investigation by the Miami Herald found no basis for such rumors. These rumors were probably based on the 1928 Okeechobee Hurricane, when the deaths of migrant workers initially went uncounted, and were still debated at the time of Andrew.

In Louisiana, the hurricane knocked down 80% of the trees in part of the Atchafalaya River Basin near the coast. Offshore, the storm killed 9.4 million fish, causing $7.8 million dollars (1992 USD) in lost value, and damaged large area of marshland along the Louisiana coast.

Source

Here are some youtube videos to take you back into time...


1- Hurricane Andrew Landfall
2- 1992 Atlantic Hurricane Season
3- Hurricane Andrew in Southeast Florida

[Category 5]

Before 3:45am tuesday morning it was the last Atlantic storm to make a cat 5 landfall.

Truely a devestating Hurricane, an absolute monster.

[Jinkers]

This is one I'll never forget. Was living in homstead at the time, don't need to say much more, and we rode it out at home, I can't watch the videos, not even after all these years.

[TheShrimper]

I have conversed with many reputable people in the Florida City/ Homestead/ Redland area over the years. They are not BS'ers. If you listen to the uncollaborated stories of what went on on Palm Dr, west of Krome Ave., you will easily come to realize that MANY more were killed, than what was reported. One source was a funeral director, that I knew. It doen't get any more reliable than that, does it?

[KWT]

How strong was Andrew on its second US landfall?
Certainly was an utter beast and while Dean is now the last cat-5 landfalling hurricane Andrew is still a legend of a storm.

[Frank2]

If you look at windstorm99's radar display graphic of Andrew (the one with the big red circle), I lived just two blocks west of SW 117 Avenue, between SW 88 and SW 152 Street, so, no surprise that my bedroom became part of the back yard...

My late sister, God bless her, prayed for my safety, and, at the last moment (before sunset on August 23) my handicapped roommate was able to make arrangements to leave for a relative's house, so, I didn't need to remain at home with him - which perhaps saved our lives, since I was also able to evacuate for my sister's house, two counties away...

My sister's sister-in-law and family lived just two miles northwest of me, and, also evacuated for her parent's house in the next county - when we all returned two days later (we had to literally drive across front lawns to reach their street, which featured a two story ranch house before Andrew, but was reduced a one-story ranch house during Andrew), their neighbors described to us the impossible sight of seeing my sister's In-laws very large natuzzi sectional couch get sucked out of one shattered pane of a sliding glass door into their backyard during the height of the storm...

Now that's a strong wind...

Ah - you have to love hurricane season (haw)...

Frank

[HeatherAKC]

And there I sat....if you look at the Miami NWS radar that Adrian (AKA Windstorm99) provided....between SW 88 Street and SW 152 Street and 147 Avenue. Truely frightening. I think I've said this on this board before, but this was one night I really, really thought I was going to die. I was just scared to death, on the floor, in the fetal position, with my fingers in my ears. Why the fingers in the ears? For one thing, the noise is terrible and the low pressure was almost unbearable for me. I'll also never forget the fact that I was home alone as my parents had taken a road trip to NY to take my sister for her first semester of college. Thankfully, I had a great boyfriend (NOW husband!) who stayed with me and secured my family home. When I finally peeked outside around 6am, I could not believe the destruction around me. The damage in my neighborhood went from devestation to homes appearing untouched. Mine was the latter. We were very lucky. Anyway, I've told some of my story here before so sorry if I've bored you, but it was a very significant event of my life.

Also, to piggyback the migrant death rumours....I've also heard from a reliable source details of these migrant deaths. I don't really know if it was true as I think it would have been next to impossible to cover that huge loss of life up and I've yet to see any really concrete evidence.

[HURAKAN]

After 27 years of happy times in South Florida with little hurricane activity over the area, Andrew brought back the fear of hurricanes to Floridians.

South Florida can be described in history as the period before Andrew and after Andrew. It changed a lot the way people think about hurricanes, construction codes, evacuation patterns, politics, and more.

I believe Miami is due for another Andrew at anytime considering the period we are living. Nonetheless, Andrew will always be "the storm."

[Frank2]

Per both your posts - as you said, it was a happy 27 years without anything, but, now we all say "before Andrew" or "after Andrew" - interesting...

I recall that news story of the large Dade County Park and Recreation sign for Fairchild Tropical Gardens (probably about 100 pounds - it was a sign I'd often see by the bicycle path I used to frequent) that was found in West Kendall, 10 miles away - the person said they found it in their backyard, split down the middle...

Can you imagine the force it took to fling a 100-pound sign 10 miles through the air, only to have it split like the 2 stone tablets in The Ten Commandments upon landing on the ground - incredible...

Per what you mentioned about the noise - some did say that the wind made some peculiar sounds - from a crying sound to a constant whistle to a sound that some could not describe...

What was also awesome was the confirmed radar report of that one large cell which moved from Key Biscayne to Homestead (about 25 miles) in 8 minutes - yipes...

Frank

[gatorcane]

After 27 years of happy times in South Florida with little hurricane activity over the area, Andrew brought back the fear of hurricanes to Floridians.

South Florida can be described in history as the period before Andrew and after Andrew. It changed a lot the way people think about hurricanes, construction codes, evacuation patterns, politics, and more.

I believe Miami is due for another Andrew at anytime considering the period we are living. Nonetheless, Andrew will always be "the storm."

Hurakan, I think of South Florida Hurricane activity not just before and after Andrew. The 1920s through 1940s were an awful time for South Florida with a major hurricane hitting the state on the average of once every 2 years. Then from 1960 through Andrew, South Florida was largely spared. Coincidentally that is when the population exploded here. Since Andrew we have had another quiet period with no major hitting South Florida still. Wilma came close but only brought CAT 1-2 sustained winds. Jeanne and Frances were not technically "South Florida" strikes as they hit farther up the coast.

This area is on borrowed time. Once we hit a period of activity like we saw in the 1920s through 1940s not many will want to live here. It's only a matter of time until we hit that period of activity again.

[PhillyWX]

How strong was Andrew on its second US landfall?
Certainly was an utter beast and while Dean is now the last cat-5 landfalling hurricane Andrew is still a legend of a storm.

http://weather.unisys.com/hurricane/atl ... /track.dat

Cat 4 with 140 mph winds.

[HURAKAN]

After 27 years of happy times in South Florida with little hurricane activity over the area, Andrew brought back the fear of hurricanes to Floridians.

South Florida can be described in history as the period before Andrew and after Andrew. It changed a lot the way people think about hurricanes, construction codes, evacuation patterns, politics, and more.

I believe Miami is due for another Andrew at anytime considering the period we are living. Nonetheless, Andrew will always be "the storm."

Hurakan, I think of South Florida Hurricane activity not just before and after Andrew. The 1920s through 1940s were an awful time for South Florida with a major hurricane hitting the state on the average of once every 2 years. Then from 1960 through Andrew, South Florida was largely spared. Coincidentally that is when the population exploded here. Since Andrew we have had another quiet period with no major hitting South Florida still. Wilma came close but only brought CAT 1-2 sustained winds. Jeanne and Frances were not technically "South Florida" strikes as they hit farther up the coast.

This area is on borrowed time. Once we hit a period of activity like we saw in the 1920s through 1940s not many will want to live here. It's only a matter of time until we hit that period of activity again.

When we talk about the general population, there is a 0.00001% of them that knows how active were the 20s through the 40s for South Florida. I know about that period very well. In my statement I meant that for the people of South Florida Andrew was a major turning point in their understanding and awareness of hurricanes. I know people that came from Cuba in the early 80s and they had experinced hurricanes in Cuba, but before Andrew they say all the storms forecasted to possibly impact the area turned away from Miami. They felt kind of protected, which now sounds weird. Therefore, for many people their awareness of Miami's vulnerability to hurricanes came with Andrew.

Even local politics had kind of relaxed the construction codes even thought experts knew what had happened to Miami in its infancy. That's why I say that everything in South Florida changed after Andrew.

[Frank2]

I have conversed with many reputable people in the Florida City/Homestead/Redland area over the years....If you listen to the uncollaborated stories of what went on [at] Palm Dr., west of Krome Ave., you will easily come to realize that MANY more were killed, than what was reported. One source was a funeral director, that I knew. It doen't get any more reliable than that, does it?

We heard many stories like that when I returned to my Federal employer a week later - some even saying that the old Eastern Airlines hangar was used to store these vicitms, but, per the 32,000 Multi-National troops (American, British, Canadian, Austrailian, and several other countries) deployed to the area after Andrew (a greater number than in Iraq at this time), none reported ever seeing anything like this - the bigger problem was logistics, such as adequate healthcare and sanitary facilities, clean drinking water and edible food.

Another even more serious problem was lawlessness - there was a very serious problem in almost all of Southern Dade County for many weeks after Andrew - one supervisor told me that at night, he or his wife could hear unidentified individuals walking through their neighborhood, so, that was perhaps the source of some of the stories that started to emerge from the disaster zone.

Apparently, the number of casulaties became an urban legend of sorts, which to this date still cannot be refuted, but, as someone who knew that very area well (I spent almost every weekend for 15 years in the Redland), I can tell you that the area was only sparsely populated, and, the migrant camps in Florida City and west of Homestead were all accounted for, though they did sustain serious damage.

A good example was the mobile home park on the east side of U.S. 1, east of Harris Field - several older friends of mine lived there, and, though it was almost totally destroyed, the area did not see anything but a small number of casualities. The same was true of the Dadeland Mobile Home Park, across from the Country Walk subdivision - it contained 300 mobile homes before Andrew - but had only 2 left standing after the hurricane.

Still, there were not a large number of casualties at that location - it seems that many accept the urban legend, because they cannot accept the fact that it was God's miracle that prevented the urban legend from becoming fact...

If there were many deaths (per your reference to a Funeral Director), rest assured that the Dade County Medical Examiner (who would have received these bodies) would have made this public knowledge. Since the ME's office is at the Jackson complex, that large a number would have been very obvious to the thousands who are in that area every day - however, no one, other than the 15 killed, were ever mentioned by this office...

Frank

[windstorm99]

Thanks so much for those posting in the thread.....Andrew was really a devastating storm in particular for florida city which really took a direct hit from this monster.At the time i used to live in florida city of 312ave and USI and really took it bad as i lost everything from my house to my dogs but quickly grew to realize that material things can always be replaced but life cant be.It was truly a very scary night for me and my family and thousands of folks in south florida.

We have been very lucky here in south florida since andrew and in all honesty that luck will one day run out if not this year it will be the next.

Here's a google video of never before seen footage of hurricane Andrew hitting the Florida coast including aerial footage of a radar airplane, national guard helicopters and soldiers going over the affected area.

Never before seen footage of hurricane Andrew

[ExBailbonds]

One day that i will never forget thats for sure!!! Rode it out in the bathroom with 4 other family members, 2 Great Danes and 3 cats. House mad it thru the first eye wall ok but not the second. Lost good chunk of roof then it was all down hill from there.

Sw 280 st and 162 ave just west of us1

[Frank2]

Golly - I used to bicycle by your house all of the time - we used to stop at Castellow Hammock Park, just up the road from you (SW 223 Street and SW 162 Avenue)...

I liked that park so much, that I wanted it to be my final resting place (if they allowed for that sort of thing)...

LOL

[ExBailbonds]

Golly - I used to bicycle by your house all of the time - we used to stop at Castellow Hammock Park, just up the road from you (SW 223 Street and SW 162 Avenue)...

I liked that park so much, that I wanted it to be my final resting place (if they allowed for that sort of thing)...

LOL

Ya i know the park well as a kid i did summer camp there every summer. That park has now been surounded on three sides by large plant nursury. And they have like a zillion workers. parked all up down the street its a mess. All littered up now. What a shame for it was a very neat place with the nature trails and all.

[Frank2]

Yes, I was there last year and noticed that it was much more built up than 15 or 30 years ago, true...

One time, we stopped in the old nature center (which was eventually rebuilt after Andrew) to see the various small wildlife, and, the Ranger happened to have a 'Glades squirrel (as opposed to urban squirrels) outside it's cage for us to see - well, it was a chilly day, and, it seemed to think my cotton warmup jacket's hood was a good place to live, so...

I was standing there, thinking, "SOS - I have a squirrel in my jacket!" - everyone started laughing, and, the ranger had to pull pretty hard to convince the squirrel that it wasn't going to ride home with me...

LOL

Frank

P.S. So you see, folks, the moral of the story is that even with bad memories, God gives us the good ones to remember, and the bad ones to hopefully forget...

[Frank2]

Just for "old-times sake" - here's a photo of the house I lived in at that time (taken about 30 hours after Andrew):

http://www.geocities.com/floridaweathersummary/andrew

the bandwidth is small on my web site, so, it might not open to more than a few at a time...

by the tranquil sky conditions when the photo was taken, you would have never guessed...

still, by God's grace we all endure (with those good "squirrel" memories mentioned earlier to help us along)...

[Category 5]

How strong was Andrew on its second US landfall?

120mph 956mb I think.