Hurricane Andrew

Where did Hurricane Andrew Start and end?

When Hurricane Andrew occurred in August 1991, it was the worst hurricanes witnessed by the United States. It originated in the central Atlantic Ocean as a regular tropical wave and cyclone. It reduced the intensity when it met with the high winds but on changing its course to the west, the cyclone intensified and reached the Category 5 classification at the Bahamas. It reached the Bahamas as a hurricane on August 23 and quickly reduced intensity while passing over the island nation. On reaching South Florida it got back the Category 5 strength and made the downfall on Elliott Key and Homestead. It resurfaced at the Gulf of Mexico along the coast and reduced in intensity over Louisiana, and the intensity went down further over the land and by August 27 it settled down into a ridge in the Mississippi River.

How long did Hurricane Andrew last?

Hurricane Andrew started as a tropical depression in the Atlantic on August 16  and reached the maximum strength on August 22 becoming a hurricane. It landed in South Florida on August 24. It moved westward on increased intensity and made a landfall again on August 26 in central Louisiana which subsided in 24 hours as depression. It had in all lasted for about eight days.

Where did Hurricane Andrew hit?

It made its first downfall in Florida devastating several homes with profound property loss in Miami-Dade County. It had reached its top power over the Bahamas with tornadoes and strong winds mostly in the Cat Cays region. The second downfall was in the southern Florida region and Louisiana.

When did Hurricane Andrew hit?

It had started as an average tropical wind on August 16 and later developed into a hurricane while moving across the Bahamas and making the downfall on August 24, 1992.

What caused Hurricane Andrew?

The reason for the hurricane was later evaluated by the experts and was found to have bought on from the ocean near Africa in the form of a Tropical wave. In the North Atlantic Ocean, it met with intense pressure variations and the hot waters caused unusual cloud rotation with the tropical wave. At the Bermuda, it met with another low-pressure area which increased the rotation and the sudden high-pressure system quickly increased its speed while in the United States and thus it was signaled out like a hurricane. It was one of the most devastating hurricanes of 1992.

What was the wind speed of Hurricane Andrew?

The top speed of Hurricane Andrew was noted to be 282 kph which is 175 mph.

What were the responses to Hurricane Andrew?

The local emergency organizations were not prepared or equipped to face the calamity immediately. Within a few days of the hurricane Andrew, the bodies within the country were not able to handle the situation on its own such that within 24 hours of the strike of the disaster, Florida was put down as Federal Disaster Area.  

• Even though 5700 National Guards were arranged for recovery, it took three days for the emergency management team to reach Florida, and this has been noted to be due to political snarls within the Federal government at that time.
• The responsibility of recovery and management was split among 26 Federal Agencies, American Red Cross Society and also the Task Force on Hurricane Andrew, which was created by President George W Bush. With so many arrangements, it led to increased confusion situation rather than making it easier to handle.
• The military forces took up the humanitarian services like shelter, medicines, food water, and construction services. The National Guards looked to the law side of matters during the calamity.
• American Red Cross had provided quick back up with shelters for the homeless, providing volunteers and monetary help.
• The government of UK provided essential supplies with operational guard ships doing the job of relief operations.
• Help pooled in from Canada, Japan, and the United States even though the Bahamas had thought that they could face the situation on their own.
• Disaster aid of $7.1 billion was proposed by President Bush, which was later increased to 11.1 billion to include the help for Hurricane Iniki and Typhoon Omar.

What category was Hurricane Andrew?

With favorable wind shear on 22nd August, the wind developed into Hurricane with a rating of Category 5 at its peak intensity. It weakened to Category 3 on moving over Florida and restrengthened to Category 4 over the Gulf of Mexico.

Why was Hurricane Andrew so devastating?

The impact of the storm was defined to a small area of South Florida as the storm was not of comprehensive nature. But along its path it wrecked enough havoc. It had started off as a small ridge, and the wave started moving westward. The thunderstorm followed it. It was initially met with a moderate wind shear which reduced the intensity, but the next movement led the decrease in shear to increase the power of the Andrew Storm. Andrew then turned west, and an eye developed instantly making it a hurricane.

What were the effects of Hurricane Andrew?

Andrew missed affecting the businesses of Miami but got its surge in the residential areas of Florida. The power supply was instantly cut down which plunged the city into darkness making it impossible for people to find their homes with the street lights turned off. The total death count was 65, but the impact was realized as people over 2,00,000 people were left homeless. There were over 6 lakh homes and businesses destroyed by the strong winds in the Florida area.The damage caused to the boats was estimated to be about half a billion. The power outages, utility loss, water sewage systems, etc. were destroyed immensely.

What was the death toll of Hurricane Andrew?

The death toll in the Bahamas was low, and this has been due to the warning message sent out. There was only four death of which three was direct. There was 44 reported deaths in Florida with 15 straight ones and 29 indirect ones. If the wind had moved further north, it would have increased the death toll with several in Miami.

Any other interesting facts found during research?

• It was the first named hurricane of the year 1992.
• The loss of utilities and power has created significant problems throughout the country that lasted for a long time.
• People were left without power for about six months.