Hurricane Andrew Research Paper
Chanélle Shaw
Professor Erickson
Meteorology
April 29, 2012
Hurricane Andrew
It was a warm day in Florida; the August sun was kissing the beach in Homestead. Florida had been experiencing its usual climate when there was an alert. On August 12th, off the coast of Africa; a warm front blew into the sea. Along with some interference with the high pressure coming from the north, the front blew westward toward the Bahamas. On its path it turned into a Tropical Depression. From what we all learned in science class, this meant a hurricane was brewing. By August 16th now a full on Hurricane; Andrew had just left Barbados. It had garnered convection and had estimated winds of 50 mph. While it was dying down, and relatively small there …show more content…
The evacuations ordered were hectic; a total of 1.5 million were evacuated in all of Florida. Another 27,000 military personnel were dispatched, in addition to tornado warnings. Andrew caused $26.5 billion with most of the damage being felt in southern Florida. Hitting the keys and Dade County at category F5 strength. As the hurricane crossed the end of southern Florida it weakened and fell into the Gulf of Mexico; holding 135 mph winds. The barometric pressure reading was at 922 MB, at the time the highest hurricane pressure to reach the United States. Dying down the storm merged with a warm front and rose up again, this time headed to …show more content…
As it touched land, the hurricane produced storm tides and flooding. The affected land spanned from Vermilion Bay to Lake Borgne. The river flooding affected the Tangipahoa River making the waters rise to 3.8 ft. above normal height. Andrew held over water and spawned out a level 3 tornado. The tornado claimed two lives. In the process it left 60 families homeless from its duration of 10 minutes. The high winds brought 150,000 power outages. In addition to electricity a huge stump in agriculture was claimed; along with $7.8 million in the fish market. In its wake, there were 17 deaths, with 9 directly associated with Andrew. In total there was $1 billion in damage.
As the storm blew over the rest of the states belaying the Gulf the damage was not as severe. Though the damage toll was indifferent. There were far less casualties. The reasons for prevention was because of the warnings issued and the storms coverage by those directly affected. There was about $500 million in damage, but several storm warnings, sandbags and tornado watches at hand. Due to the topographic conditions, the storm dropped in rainfall and
Professor Erickson
Meteorology
April 29, 2012
Hurricane Andrew
It was a warm day in Florida; the August sun was kissing the beach in Homestead. Florida had been experiencing its usual climate when there was an alert. On August 12th, off the coast of Africa; a warm front blew into the sea. Along with some interference with the high pressure coming from the north, the front blew westward toward the Bahamas. On its path it turned into a Tropical Depression. From what we all learned in science class, this meant a hurricane was brewing. By August 16th now a full on Hurricane; Andrew had just left Barbados. It had garnered convection and had estimated winds of 50 mph. While it was dying down, and relatively small there …show more content…
The evacuations ordered were hectic; a total of 1.5 million were evacuated in all of Florida. Another 27,000 military personnel were dispatched, in addition to tornado warnings. Andrew caused $26.5 billion with most of the damage being felt in southern Florida. Hitting the keys and Dade County at category F5 strength. As the hurricane crossed the end of southern Florida it weakened and fell into the Gulf of Mexico; holding 135 mph winds. The barometric pressure reading was at 922 MB, at the time the highest hurricane pressure to reach the United States. Dying down the storm merged with a warm front and rose up again, this time headed to …show more content…
As it touched land, the hurricane produced storm tides and flooding. The affected land spanned from Vermilion Bay to Lake Borgne. The river flooding affected the Tangipahoa River making the waters rise to 3.8 ft. above normal height. Andrew held over water and spawned out a level 3 tornado. The tornado claimed two lives. In the process it left 60 families homeless from its duration of 10 minutes. The high winds brought 150,000 power outages. In addition to electricity a huge stump in agriculture was claimed; along with $7.8 million in the fish market. In its wake, there were 17 deaths, with 9 directly associated with Andrew. In total there was $1 billion in damage.
As the storm blew over the rest of the states belaying the Gulf the damage was not as severe. Though the damage toll was indifferent. There were far less casualties. The reasons for prevention was because of the warnings issued and the storms coverage by those directly affected. There was about $500 million in damage, but several storm warnings, sandbags and tornado watches at hand. Due to the topographic conditions, the storm dropped in rainfall and