EDITORIAL: The day that changed the face of South Florida | Editorial
The Category 5 monster, which slammed into southern
Whether those strong codes last is another story. This year, the state Legislature passed a law that, among other things, required fewer votes for the
"I don't think builders are inherently evil people, but you've got to look at what their business model is," Fugate told
Andrew caused changes in
Andrew caused dramatic changes in the insurance industry as well, as insurance claims payout for Andrew totaled
Hurricane Andrew also caused dramatic technological changes, shifting the way hurricanes are tracked and predicted.
But maybe the biggest change brought on by Andrew can't be shown with numbers. Andrew and its 150 miles-per-hour winds caused a change in attitudes -- in the way South Floridians view hurricanes.
Twenty five years ago, most South Floridians had no idea what a hurricane felt like, since the previous direct hit to the area was in 1950. Many homes in
Andrew changed all of that.
"It's like an air bomb went off," then-Gov.
"Complete devastation. . .
Over the years,
Today, most homeowners not only have installed shutters, but many have hurricane-proof windows. They have hurricane-resistant garage doors.
Television stations cover the formation of storms off the coast of
As the storm treks across the
Homeowners nowadays make checklists before a storm approaches, documenting their property. They know what is and isn't included in their insurance policy. If they've done their homework, they know if their roof is in good shape.
But 25 years after Andrew, there is concern that complacency could be setting in. We haven't had a direct hit since Hurricane Wilma in 2005, and our luck has held up through quite a few close calls as hurricanes have swept past the area. South Floridians will still empty the grocery store shelves of water and bread and other necessities if a storm closes in, but you have to wonder if everyone is truly prepared.
Just remember that Andrew was actually the first named storm in 1992, and that year was a very light one as far as hurricanes go.
But Andrew reminded all of us that it only takes one.
Editorials are the opinion of the Sun Sentinel Editorial Board and written by one of its members or a designee. The Editorial Board consists of Editorial Page Editor
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