Hurricane Andrew (16 Aug 1992 – 28 Aug 1992)

Hurricane Andrew Path

Hurricane Andrew initially formed as a tropical depression in the Atlantic Ocean on August 16, 1992, and quickly intensified into a major hurricane as it moved across the Caribbean Sea. The storm first struck the Bahamas on August 23. Andrew then made landfall near Homestead, Florida in the early morning hours of August 24 with winds of around 165 mph. The hurricane then moved into the Gulf of Mexico. The storm caused significant damage and flooding in both Florida and Louisiana, and continued to produce heavy rainfall as it moved northward. Overall, Hurricane Andrew’s path affected many areas in the Caribbean and southeastern United States, causing significant damage and leaving a lasting impact on many communities in the region.

Hurricane Andrew Category

Hurricane Andrew was a powerful Category 5 hurricane when it first struck the Bahamas and the southern coast of Florida in August 1992. The storm had sustained winds of up to 175 mph and a minimum pressure of 922 millibars, making it one of the most powerful hurricanes on record to hit the United States. When Andrew made landfall near Homestead, Florida, its winds were still around 165 mph, which is well above the threshold for a Category 5 hurricane. While the storm weakened slightly as it moved into the Gulf of Mexico, it was still a major hurricane when it made landfall for a second time near Morgan City, Louisiana, with winds of around 115 mph.

How Many People Died in Hurricane Andrew

The storm caused significant damage and resulted in the loss of many lives. In total, the hurricane was responsible for 65 fatalities across the affected areas, with 26 deaths in Florida, 38 deaths in Louisiana, and 1 death in the Bahamas. The storm also caused significant injuries and left many people without homes or access to essential services.

In the aftermath of the storm, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was reorganized and its director was given cabinet-level status to improve its response capabilities to future disasters. Hurricane Andrew remains one of the most powerful and destructive hurricanes to ever strike the United States.