Stepping through Andrew
This coming August 24th marks the 25th anniversary of Hurricane Andrew; the storm that devastated the southern part of Florida.
In 1992, the era pre-dating widespread cellphone and internet service, it was television and transistor radio's that people relied on for 'real-time' information during a weather crisis.
Then, like now, it's the one with the most integrity and robust infrastructure that gets the highest ratings.
Meteorologist Bryan Norcross, in his recent book My Hurricane Andrew Story, tells the story about that storm.
Someone at WTVJ in Miami composed clips of then live TV coverage that was broadcast prior to and during the landfall of Andrew. Below is a copy of that video. "You'll see anchor Tom Randalls, anchor Kelly Craig, reporter Ed O'Dell from the Bahamas, anchor/reporter Gerry Helfman, sports anchor (at the time) Tony Segreto, Jose Diaz Balart, reporter David Bloom, and National Hurricane Center Director Bob Sheets. Included is the time when I got a bit punchy talking about whoever invented the street-numbering system in Hialeah, and the decision to move to the "bunker" at about 3:00 am, which we did at about 3:30 am. There was a large construction crane across the street, which we weren't sure would stay up. Also, the roof on the old WTVJ building was suspect. It's eerie to see the radar in tact and the storm approaching, knowing that it would be destroyed at 4:35 am."
Semper Paratus!
/fl