Page 9 - Carrollton 1993

For years, the threat of a
hurricane has sent residents
of South Florida rushing to
the grocery stores to stock
up on food, batteries, and
water. But for years the hur­
ricanes have just missed
South Florida. Nineteen
ninety-two proved differ­
ently, when the "Big One'
hit South Florida. On Mon­
day. August 24. at 4:30 am.
Hurricane Andrew swept
through the city of Miami
with winds up to 160mph,
devastating many areas in
the city. The hurricane,
which left an estimated 35
dead. 250.000 homeless,

and about 1million people
without electricity, caused
approximately 30 billion
dollars in damages, and
was considered the
biggest natural disaster in
the history of the United
States. President Bush
deployed 14.000 troops to
help turn chaos back into
order and rebuild the city
of Miami. The troops set up
tent cities that provided
the homeless with a roof
over their heads, and assist­
ed with their basic needs.
Volunteers came together
to help those that were left
with barely anything. Many
donated their time, money,
and supplies. A city so
divided came together to
help those who needed
them. Many people
opened their homes to
strangers. The hurricane
brought about a spirit of
togetherness to the city of
Miami. It has been a very
strenuous time for every­
one. but the people are
recuperating, and one day
wil look back on the hurri­
cane as just an awful mem­
ory of a natural disaster,
and a triumph of the
human spirit.

Marflu Rivas