Hurricane+Andrew+(1992)

**Article**: Hurricane Andrew (1992) Patrick Browne

Hurricanes are one of the most powerful forces of nature. The Hurricane can destroy homes, alter lives, and cause economic devastation. Hurricane Andrew was the most powerful Hurricane to hit Florida in almost 30 years. Hurricane Andrew struck the Bahamas, Florida, and Lousiana. It was also the 2nd most expensive hurricanes in the U.S, totaling at 22.231 Billion Dollars in damages behind Hurricane Katrina. media type="youtube" key="ZgoqyumbXLE" width="332" height="271" align="left" Formation On August 14, 1992, Hurricane Andrew was first formed by a Tropical Wave of the coast of the Cape Verde Islands. The Tropical Wave was an area of low pressure with cyclonic activity. . On August 16, Narrow spiral shaped bands of clouds formed over the center of the rotation, making the tropical wave a tropical depression. On August 17 it had been officially ruled as Tropical Storm Andrew, the first Tropical Storm of the season. Between August 17th to the 20th, Andrew passed through a center of high pressure southeast of Bermuda. The currents slowed, which diminished Andrew. on the 20th, Reconnaissance aircrafts took a flight into Andrew finding that the cyclone has broke down to a low level circulation center. Andrews winds were recording 40 kts per hour. It had a shocking center of high pressure measuring at 1015 millibars. on the 22 as the Tropical Storm went towards the west, the evolution of the Hurricane decreased vertical wind motion, which enhanced the outward air flow. The windspeed increased about 16 kts.(totaling about 75 MPH), making it become a minimal Hurricane, the first in two years forming from a tropical storm. at 1800 UTC(Zulu time) the opressure dropped to 922 millibars. The hurrricane weakened as it passed the Western part of the Great Bahamas Bank. Making the Pressure rise to 941 millibars. Hurricane Andrew reintensified as it moved over the Straits of Florida. The winds were originally at 75 mph, and by the evening of the 22, intensified to 135 mph. In Only 40 Hours, Andrew went from a Tropical Storm to a category 4 storm.
 * Hurricane Andrew - Radar Loops off the coast of Miami**

Warnings were set out for Florida and the Bahamas to prepare for a 23ft storm surge which struck the Bahama shores. In Florida, stores overflowed with residents in an effort to get neccesities to prepare for the Hurricane. As the hurricane drew near, approximately 700,000 Florida residents were evacuated from the area. Satellite images showed that Hurricane Andrew had lacked heavy precipitation, but noticed a Eye Wall, which is found in the most intense hurricanes. Here, the most intense rainfall and wind strength is normally found. Hurricane Andrew was one of three category 5 hurricanes to reach U.S. soil. Hurricane Andrew struck South Florida on August 24 with a 17 ft storm surge. Tornadoes formed at Florida, Lousiana and the Bahamas, destroying homes and local businesses. An Anemometer recorded top winds of 145 MPH, but either got maxed out or destroyed. Estimates were about 200+ MPH.
 * Landfall **


 * Aftermath **

Hurricane Andrew caused 15 direct deaths and 25 indirect deaths. costing 22.231 billion dollars in damages, the second most expensive natural disaster in U.S. history. more than 250,000 people were left homeless, and more than 82,000 businesses were destroyed.


 * Hurricane Andrews Affect on The Environment **

Hurricane Andrew was the cause of 90% of destroyed South Dade County pinelands, marshlands etc and 25% of Southern Florida trees. It also was the cause of 33% of damaged coral reefs at Biscayne National Park.

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Works Cited Hurricane Andrew 16-28 August 1992 Preliminary Report, Rappaport, Ed National hurricane center Dec 10 1993. web 29, May, 2012 [] A Synopsis of the history of Hurricane Andrew and how he formed, web 29 May, 2012 []

Hurricane Andrews Wind Speed, Web 29 May 2012 [] Hurricane Andrew: Ten Years Later, Web 29 May 2012