by Marcus Brooks

Created on: September 29, 2008

Before there was a Katrina, there was Hurricane Andrew.

On August 24, 1992, a Category 5 storm rampaged its way to Florida's coast. Prior to landing, it left a wake of destruction unparalleled and unmatched by any storm until 2005. Advance warning couldn't save everyone. However, the advanced warning had saved thousands of lives from being lost. The storm's devestation had far outweighed the total number of deaths.

The historic hurricane was called Andrew.

Andrew must've been an angry man. He had torn into the West Indies in a violent rage. He destroyed the white beaches of the Bahamas. He had waylaid the peoples of Cuba, Aruba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada. The 700-plus islands in the region all felt his wrath.

Andrew was so feared that even Iowa's Super Doppler storm scan tracked his approach. He was to take down a multi-billion dollar a year, tourism industry. He succeeded in his goal and much more.

Approximately, 65 people had died during the storm. Thousands more became homeless. The once pristine, white beaches were littered with battered vehicles, beaten-down ships, vessels, trees and other debris. Resorts were closed for long periods of time. Over $30 billion of damage was caused. Billions more were lost in the coming years.

America's southeast was pummelled by winds exceeding 164 miles per hour. Age-old trees were uprooted. Bark was ripped off. Gusts had sent splinters through the air, like murderous daggers. Homes were flattened in merciless fashion. Florida and Georgia residents had fled in utter fear. Athletic contests, college functions and special engagements were cancelled by Andrew.

The hurricane became a permanent reminder of Mother Nature's power. Regardless of man's ability to construct architecture marvels, Nature had the power and the will to destroy at will. Mammoth structures had buckled from the gall force winds. Trucks, cars and boats were jettisoned all along highways and parking lots. Street lights and telephone poles had bent until being broken. Andrew was the "Superman" of all hurricanes before him.

His devestation had adverse affects on island tourism. Aruba and the Bahamas had endured a decline in travel and hospitality for two years following the disaster. The destruction had cost in the billions. Hurricane Andrew had become the most destructive, natural disaster in the Western Hemisphere.

For 12 years, all the southeast and the West Indies had known was Andrew. In 2005, paradise was greeted by his sister.

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