Polly, a hurricane is something that can't quite be described. I've been in several hurricanes but fortunately missed Andrew. Andrew had winds so powerful that it pulled steel rebar from concrete in some buildings. I remember seeing people's houses in Homestead/Cutler Ridge area in which every single blade of grass had been blown off the front lawns. The sound of the storm is a terrible roar that goes on for hours.

There are so many new residents of Florida and tourists that simply have no idea of how dangerous these storms can be. Many years ago, I was in south Florida when Hurricane David threatened the Miami area and I well remember the look of concern and fear of the natives who were filling the airports and roads to get out of the storm's way. Unfortunately people just forget too easily about these things.