Hurricane Andrew Facts


Hurricane Andrew
Hurricane Andrew was the 3rd category 5 hurricane to hit the U.S. on record. Originally it was classified as a strong category 4. After additional evaluations and research it was upgraded to a category 5. It caused catastrophic damage to south Florida near Homestead. After spending only a few hours over south Florida, Hurricane Andrew restrengthened in the Gulf of Mexico turned north and made a second landfall in Louisiana as a category 3. Hurricane Andrew at the time was the costliest hurricane on record with 26.5 billion dollars in damage. Andrew also had the fourth lowest pressure of any U.S. hurricane at landfall at 922 millibars. A Hurricane Hunter aircraft measured a 10,000 foot flight level wind of 196 mph just before landfall in south Florida.




Hurricane Andrew Satellite Picture


Hurricane Andrew Facts Summary

• Hurricane Andrew Fact: Lowest pressure: 922 millibars / 27.23 inches
• Hurricane Andrew Fact: Lowest pressure at landfall: 922 millibars / 27.23 inches - 4th lowest of a U.S. hurricane
• Hurricane Andrew Fact: Pressure and sustained wind at landfall, Florida: 922 millibars / 175 mph
• Hurricane Andrew Fact: Maximum sustained winds at peak: 175 mph
• Hurricane Andrew Fact: Fatalities: 26 total, 23 mainland U.S.
• Hurricane Andrew Fact: U.S. Damage: $26.5 billion
• Hurricane Andrew Fact: Maximum storm tide height Florida: 16.9 feet, Biscayne Bay, FL