Hurricane Andrew was a Category 5 Atlantic hurricane that struck South Florida in August 1992. Andrew caused major damage in the Bahamas and Louisiana as well, but it was the most destructive hurricane in Florida’s history.
Andrew passed directly through Homestead, Florida and completely disseminated several blocks of houses, stripping them down to their foundations. In Miami-Dade County, the fierce winds destroyed 25,500 houses and damaged more than 101,000 others. The strongest winds produced by Hurricane Andrew were extended gusts of 175 mph. The hurricane produced almost 14 inches of rainfall in western Miami-Dade County.
President George H.W. Bush initially proposed a $7.1 billion aid package to provide disaster benefits, small-business loans, agricultural recovery, food stamps, and public housing for victims. The House of Representatives included aid to victims of Hurricane Iniki in Hawaii and Typhoon Omar in Guam and the package was increased to $11.1 billion with Florida receiving $9 billion through the disaster relief bill.
As many as 1.4 million people lost power at the height of the storm. In the Everglades, 70,000 acres of trees were drowned and invasive Burmese pythons began inhabiting the region after a nearby facility housing them was destroyed.
The hurricane left 65 people dead and created $26.5 billion ($46.07 billion) in damage across its path.
MIAMI, FL – AUGUST 26: A sign in front of a house in the Cutler Ridge area damaged by Hurricane Andrew reads ‘We will survive’ 26 August 1992. Hurricane Andrew left more than 50,000 people homeless and caused billions of dollars of damage. ANDREW ITKOFF/AFP/Getty ImagesMIAMI, FL – AUGUST 25: A resident (bottom right) looks out of his apartment 25 August 1992 that had its walls blown away by Hurricane Andrew. About 50,000 Dade county residents are without their homes due to Hurricane Andrew, which struck the area 24 August 1992. ROBERT SULLIVAN/AFP/Getty ImagesSome of the extensive Damage to homes in Miami. Huffington PostFLORIDA CITY, UNITED STATES: Mexican immigrants who lost their homes to Hurricane Andrew stand outside their tents 06 September 1992 as repairmen work on damaged roofs at Centro Campesino in Florida. Many migrant workers, some who do not have green cards, are afraid to come to the camp to seek help. ROBERT SULLIVAN/AFP/Getty ImagesHOMESTEAD, FL – SEPTEMBER 4: Hurricane Andrew victim Sonda Marshall (R) of Homestead, Florida, applies makeup 04 September 1992. Marshall and her son, Leo (L), were left homeless by the storm and are now living in the Homestead tent city. ANDREW ITKOFF/AFP/Getty ImagesAUGUST 25: A looter carries goods from a grocery store in the Cutler Ridge area 25 August 1992 as sporadic looting continues following the devastation of Hurricane Andrew. Local officials have instituted a dusk-to-dawn curfew for Dade County to curb looting. Huffington PostHOMESTEAD, FL – AUGUST 25: Susanne Miller (R) and Cheryl Winchester of Homestead clear the rubble from their pet supply store in Homestead, Florida 25 August 1992 as Floridians began cleaning up after Hurricane Andrew. Twelve people were killed by the storm, which left more than 50,000 homeless. BOB PEARSON/AFP/Getty ImagesA two by four lodged through a palm tree. Hurrican Andrew’s winds hit Florida with a speed of 165 mph. NOAA Photo LibraryBuildings on the Deering Estate. Still-water marks from storm surge measured at 16.5 feet. ZoohouseNational Guardsman Donald Kirby helps Hurricane Andrew victim Mary Beckford of Cutler Ridge, Florida 27 August 1992 get fresh drinking water from a tanker brought in for disaster relief. AFP PHOTO: Andrew ITKOFFThe force of the storm left entire towns decimated. Hurrican Andrew left 65 people dead and cost $26.5 billion ($45.67 billion) in damages. Huffington PostHOMESTEAD, FL – AUGUST 25: An unidentified woman grabs goods from the shelves of a convenience store 25 August 1992 as looters continued to rob stores damaged by Hurricane Andrew. Andrew is expected to hit New Orleans later 25 August. ANDREW ITKOFF/AFP/Getty ImagesHomestead Air Force Base after Hurricane Andrew severely damaged the base on 27 August 1992. Bwmoll3MIAMI, FL – AUGUST 24: Wrecked boats sit on the sea wall 24 August 1992 at the docks at Dinner Key in the Coconut Grove area of the city after Hurricane Andrew passed through southern Florida. Andrew was the strongest hurricane to hit southern Florida in 40 years. ROBERT SULLIVAN/AFP/Getty ImagesKENDALL, FL – AUGUST 24: Vidal Martinez holds his head 24 August 1992 while viewing the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew in front of what is left of his trailer at the Flowers Trailer Park, Florida. Hurricane Andrew smashed ashore before dawn 24 August devastating southern Florida. ANDY ITKOFF/AFP/Getty Images
MIAMI, FL – AUGUST 24: A sailboat sits on its side 24 August 1992 at the Dinner Key Marina in Florida after it was lifted out of the water by Hurricane Andrew. The hurricane smashed ashore before dawn 24 August 1992 with 160-mph winds. At least 12 people were killed. AFP PHOTO Andy ITKOFF/AFP/Getty ImagesThis Aug. 25, 1992, file photo shows the water tower, a landmark in Florida City, still standing over the ruins of the Florida coastal community that was hit by the force of Hurricane Andrew. Two decades later, Homestead and Florida City have doubled in size into a demographically different community, better prepared to deal with hurricanes. (AP Photo)Dade County, FL, August 24, 1992 – An Army tent serving as a State Disaster Assistance Center after Hurricane Andrew Huffington PostHurricane Andrew did extensive damage to homes in Miami, including here at the Silver Palm mobile home park. Huffington PostNOVEMBER 24: Volunteers hand out food to victims of Hurricane Andrew in Homestead, FL 24 November 1992. Charities donated 900 take-home Thanksgiving meals to area residents who had signed up to receive the dinners. ANDREW ITKOFF/AFP/Getty ImagesHurricane Andrew, FL, August 24, 1992 – FEMA provides food, water, clothing, and temporary housing for those people who were displaced. Huffington PostWith the local McDonalds closed, the company opened a food truck in its parking lot. The lines for the familiar foods were huge. Huffington PostHOMESTEAD, FL – SEPTEMBER 1: U.S. President George Bush (L) examines a cot, with the help of Eddie Mosqueda, 01 September 1999 at a tent city for victims of Hurricane Andrew in Homestead, FL. Bush toured military sites and met with local and national officials aiding South Florida hurricane victims. J. DAVID AKE/AFP/Getty ImagesHOMESTEAD, UNITED STATES: Tents are erected 31 August 1992 to house those who were left homeless by Hurricane Andrew. The tents, which are the first of many to be built by the U.S. Armed Forces, are expected to be ready for occupancy as early as 01 September. BRUCE WEAVER/AFP/Getty ImagesHOMESTEAD, FL – AUGUST 30: Victims of Hurricane Andrew eat breakfast 30 August 1992 in front of a military mobile kitchen in Homestead, FL. The military is providing victims of the hurricane with three hot meals a day. ROBERT SULLIVAN/AFP/Getty ImagesA palm tree ripped out of the ground by the strong winds smashed the trunk of the car in the driveway. Huffington PostThe hurricane winds ripped off the entire side of the house, exposing the insides as if it were a doll house. Huffington PostThe storm left many homes completely devastated, and towns unrecognizable. Huffington PostThis May 17, 2012, photo shows a site for a mobile home at what used to be a trailer park before Hurricane Andrew struck Homestead, Fla. The havoc wreaked by Hurricane Andrew two decades earlier still serves as a warning about the devastation even a slow tropical storm season can bring. Homestead was ground zero when Andrew plowed ashore in late August 1992, surprising South Florida residents who hadn’t experienced a a major hurricane landfall in a quarter of a century and forecasters who hadn’t anticipated the storm’s rapid intensification to Category 5 strength. AP Photo/J Pat CarterA woman with her dog in a tent admits hurricane rubble. BBC
