Hurricane Andrew From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia For the 1986 storm, see Tropical Storm Andrew (1986). This is a good article. Click here for more information. Hurricane Andrew Category 5 major hurricane (SSHWS/NWS) Andrew 23 aug 1992 1231Z.jpg Hurricane Andrew at peak intensity Formed August 16, 1992 Dissipated August 28, 1992 Highest winds 1-minute sustained: 175 mph (280 km/h) Lowest pressure 922 mbar (hPa); 27.23 inHg Fatalities 26 direct, 39 indirect Damage $26.5 billion (1992 USD) (Fifth costliest tropical cyclone in U.S. history) Areas affected The Bahamas; South Florida, Louisiana, and other areas of the Southern United States Part of the 1992 Atlantic hurricane season History Meteorological history Effects The Bahamas Florida Other wikis commons:Category:Hurricane Andrew Hurricane Andrew was, at the time of its occurrence in August 1992, the costliest hurricane in United States history. The fourth tropical cyclone and the first hurricane of the 1992 Atlantic hurricane season, Andrew originated from a tropical wave over the central Atlantic. Initially, strong wind shear prevented much intensification, though increasingly favorable conditions allowed the system to become a tropical storm on August 17 and a minimal hurricane six days later. After turning westward, Andrew entered a stage of rapid intensification, strengthening into a Category 5 hurricane near the Bahamas on August 23. It briefly weakened to a Category 4 hurricane over the island nation, but regained Category 5 intensity on August 24 before making landfall on Elliott Key and later in Homestead, Florida. Several hours later, the hurricane emerged into the Gulf of Mexico at Category 4 strength as it curved toward the Gulf Coast of the United States. After weakening to a low-end Category 3 hurricane, Andrew moved ashore near Morgan City, Louisiana. Interaction with land hastened the weakening process, and Andrew was downgraded to a tropical depression by August 27 while crossing Mississippi. The next day, the storm merged with a frontal system over the southern Appalachian Mountains. In the Bahamas, Andrew brought high tides,[clarification needed] hurricane force winds, and tornadoes, which caused considerable damage in the archipelago, especially on Cat Cays. At least 800 houses were destroyed and there was substantial damage to the transport, communications, water, sanitation, agriculture, and fishing sectors. Overall, Andrew caused four deaths and $250 million (1992 USD)[nb 1] in damage in the Bahamas. Throughout the southern portions of Florida, Andrew brought very high winds; a wind gust of 177 mph (282 km/h) was reported at a house in Perrine. Strong winds caused catastrophic damage in Florida, with Miami-Dade County cities of Florida City, Homestead, and Kendall receiving the brunt of the storm. About 63,000 homes were destroyed and over 101,000 others were damaged. This left roughly 175,000 people homeless. As many as 1.4 million people were left without electricity at the height of the storm. In the Everglades, 70,000 acres (280 km2) of trees were knocked down. Additionally, rainfall in Florida was substantial, peaking at 13.98 in (355 mm) in western Miami-Dade County. About $25 billion in damage and 44 fatalities were reported in Florida. Considerable damage to oil platforms was reported, with one company reporting 13 platforms lost, 104 structures damaged, and five drilling wells blown off course. Total losses to oil companies reached approximately $500 million. In Louisiana, Andrew produced hurricane force winds along its path, which left about 152,000 without electricity, downed 80% of trees in the Atchafalaya River Basin, and caused significant agricultural damage. Also in the Atchafalaya River Basin and Bayou Lafourche, about 187 million freshwater fish were killed. An F3 tornado in St. John the Baptist Parish damaged or destroyed 163 structures. Seventeen deaths were reported in Louisiana, six of which were drowning victims offshore. With 23,000 homes damaged, and 985 homes and 1,951 mobile homes destroyed, property losses in the state exceeded $1.5 billion. Elsewhere, the storm spawned at least 28 tornadoes, especially in Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi. Overall, Andrew caused 65 fatalities and $26 billion in damage (1992 USD, $43.7 billion 2014 USD), and it is currently the fifth costliest hurricane in Atlantic hurricane history, behind only Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma in 2005, Ike in 2008, and Sandy in 2012. Other sources state that damage from Andrew reached as high as $34 billion (1992 USD, $57.1 billion 2014 USD).[1][2] Due to the destruction, the name was retired in the spring of 1993. Contents [hide] 1 Meteorological history 2 Preparations 2.1 Bahamas 2.2 Florida 2.3 Gulf Coast of the United States 3 Impact 3.1 Bahamas 3.2 Florida 3.3 Louisiana 3.4 Remainder of United States 4 Aftermath 5 See also 6 Notes 7 References 8 External links
Posted on: Fri, 24 Oct 2014 02:40:21 +0000
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