Hurricane Andrew

Hurricane Andrew was a destructive tropical cyclone that was, at the time, the costliest hurricane in United States history. The fourth tropical cyclone, first named storm, and first hurricane of the 1992 Atlantic hurricane season, Andrew developed from a tropical wave over the central Atlantic on August 16. Initially, strong wind shear prevented much intensification. A decrease in shear the following day permitted the depression to strengthen, subsequently becoming Tropical Storm Andrew by 1200 UTC on August 17. However, increased wind shear late on August 18 diminished convection associated with the storm. Over the next two days, wind shear significantly decreased, and Andrew became a minimal hurricane on August 23. Thereafter, Andrew turned westward under the influence of a high-pressure system and began to rapidly intensify later that day. Shortly before crossing through the Bahamas, Andrew strengthened into a Category 5 hurricane on August 23. The system weakened slightly over the Bahamas to a Category 4 hurricane, but briefly re-intensified into a Category 5 hurricane on August 24 before making landfall on Elliott Key, and later in Homestead, Florida.

The hurricane emerged into the Gulf of Mexico as a Category 4 hurricane, and gradually curved northward toward the Gulf Coast of the United States. Shortly before landfall near Morgan City, Louisiana, Andrew quickly weakened to a minimal Category 3 hurricane. After moving inland, Andrew continued rapidly to weaken, and was downgraded to a tropical storm and ultimately a tropical depression while crossing over Mississippi. By 1200 UTC on August 28, Andrew merged with a frontal system while centered over the southern Appalachian Mountains. In the Bahamas, Andrew brought high tides, hurricane force winds, and tornadoes, which caused considerable damage in the archipelago, especially on Cat Cays. At least 800 houses were destroyed and the cyclone left substantial damage to the transport, communications, water, sanitation, agriculture, and fishing sectors. Overall, Andrew caused four deaths and $250 million (1992 USD) 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. High winds caused catastrophic damage in Florida, especially in Miami-Dade County, where approximately 117,000 houses were either severely damaged or destroyed. In the Everglades, 70,000 acres (280 km2) of trees were knocked down and about 182 million fish were killed. Rainfall in Florida was substantial, peaking at 13.98 in (355 mm) in western Miami-Dade County.

Considerable damage to oil platforms was reported, with one company losing 13 platforms, had 104 structures damaged, and five drilling wells blown off course. Total losses to oil companies reached approximately $500 million (1992 USD). 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. 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 (1992 USD). Elsewhere, the storm spawned at least 28 tornadoes, especially in Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi. Overall, Andrew caused 65 fatalities and $26 billion (1992 USD) in damage, and it is currently the fourth costliest hurricane in U.S. history, behind only Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Hurricane Ike in 2008 and Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Due to the destruction, the name was retired in the spring of 1993.