Hurricane Andrew, August 16-27, 1992

This is a three-part article in remembrance of the devastation caused by Hurricane Andrew in August 1992.

• The Aftermath 1992
  a story based on real events.

• Hurricane Memories,
  by the topic editor

• Hurricance Andrew Links
  pictures, news stories, and climatological details.

Summer in the Louisiana, always in the back of your mind the concern for a hurricane. June 20th marks the opening of hurricane season. Daddy always says he can tell whether or not we'll have a rough summer of storms by how hard or mild the winter has been. He said he thought this year would be pretty mild. But here we were with Andrew barreling down upon us. Andrew passed through Homestead, Florida and wiped them out. The damage was extensive. Daddy came home early from work to board up windows and tie down anything in the yard that could possibly become a projectile. It was the first time I had seen him so concerned. We'd sat out a few storms in my life. But I could tell by Daddy's fervent work that he was a little more concerned about Andrew.

Mom was busy in the house packing up things and drawing water in the tub. That way when we got home we'd still have fresh water, if, Andrew didn't break the window over the tub and whip contaminated water in through the window. She packed a few days clothes in suitcases and gathered three gallons of water and some can goods and some crackers. She packed tooth brushes and towels and washcloths. We were going to leave for Lake Charles as soon as we got everything packed.

I had already packed a few things in a suit case for the two girls and Tom and myself. We nailed plywood over the windows of our 15 year old mobile home and pick up every thing that was lying around in the yard. I was so scared as we drove away I imagined that would be the last time I saw our home standing.

We followwed Moma and Daddy to Lake Charles and we pulled into a Motel 6, signed in and got keys to two rooms. Daddy and Moma went to their room and put away their things. Moma told me to get the girls settled in our room and she would make some sandwiches and she and Daddy would join us in our room.

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