25 years ago today, this was nothing. It’s hard to believe so much time has passed, not that I ever forgot a Hurricane Andrew anniversary. We were lucky — awake with curiosity that night, except for my brother Josh who slept through it — but lucky.
Above was a look to the left after walking out of my parents’ house and below was across the street. Had never seen a tree pulled out from its roots. Seemed like an act of God.
The lack of air conditioning was the worst for me. Only lasted a few days, but I spent a night with an aunt near Fort Lauderdale who had power.
Driving south to help another aunt and uncle, it was as if everything was in black and white. No leaves on trees. Just destruction. And a free-for-all at night, according to news reports.
Hurricane Andrew made lots of people survivors, brought out the best and worst in many, and moved thousands slightly north. Some good that’ll do!
It should’ve taught the importance of preparation — having supplies and enough coverage — but Florida is transient and memories are short, especially there. Plus, the safety tips and technology keep changing.
How long did it take the rest of the state, with the exception of (Miami-) Dade County, to toughen building codes? Even so, who can forget the broken glass from newer skyscrapers in Brickell more than a decade later after the 2004 and 2005 hurricanes like Wilma? It wasn’t supposed to happen.
I worked through all of those storms at WFOR in Miami, right after leaving Philadelphia. It was like one after another. (Andrew happened months after I graduated college. Was still looking for work. WSVN took more than a year later.)
The Sunshine State can be nice to visit (sometimes) but between the constant heat and humidity, sky-high insurance rates, politics and more, those of you there can have it until global warming puts Florida underwater. Then you won’t have a choice.
There’s no perfect place and there will be discomfort at times. Who doesn’t like summer in the winter and winter in the summer?
Millions still live on the coast and earthquake zones and Tornado Alley, but never underestimate the power of Mother Nature. She means business.
Far from paradise. Click here for Miami Herald news reports from this date in 1992 with links, and click here for a special remembrance section from Florida Power & Light.
- Philadelphia feeling what it will from Dorian, next and last major threat will be Canada Friday, Sept. 6, 2019
- Hurricane Dorian off the Carolinas, Tropical Storm Warnings in New England Thurs., Sept. 5, 2019
- Hurricane Dorian off Georgia, Tropical Storm Watch extended to Delaware Wed., Sept. 4, 2019
- More watches, warnings for Florida and up the coast for Hurricane Dorian Tues., Sept. 3, 2019
- Hurricane Dorian to get ‘dangerously close’ to Florida, then other states Mon., Sept. 2, 2019
- Hurricane Dorian’s strength, size means ‘hit or miss’ matters little for Florida Sun, Sept. 1, 2019
- Center of Hurricane Dorian more likely to turn before hitting Florida Sat., Aug. 31, 2019
- Hurricane Warning for part of Bahamas as ‘extremely dangerous’ Dorian heads toward Florida Fri., Aug. 30, 2019
- Hurricane Dorian to intensify, be ‘extremely dangerous’ in Florida Thurs., Aug. 29, 2019
- Hurricane Dorian expected to intensify, threaten Florida as a Category 3 Wed., Aug. 28, 2019
- The latest: Tropical Storm Dorian Tues., Aug. 27, 2019
Comments