Hurricane Ian makes Andrew kind of Puny

Hurricane Andrew is in my rearview mirror, but I remember businesses closing for good in the South Dade Area and large areas where people once lived having many destroyed homes and few residents. I also remember tent cities that lasted for months. I remember FEMA cars, blue roofs, MREs.

Traffic signals were down, and I remember vividly trying to direct traffic on US1 and Red Road. It was both an epic failure and a major life lesson.  I was woefully unprepared and undertrained and was thrilled when the Florida Highway Patrol relieved me and said they would need two experienced traffic officers to direct traffic.  I wasn't even given a whistle or any indication I might be held responsible if there were to be a crash at the intersection. (I'm relieved no one ran me over).

I retreated to my apartment which was really warm. The cooler still had ice and a couple of silver bullets left from a sweaty night.  Having replaced some fluids, I called the traffic and transportation folks and asked for a less challenging assignment.  I took SW 80th St. and Red Road for a while and was relieved again, this time by some fresh volunteers.  They asked if I would be returning for the morning shift.  said I didn't know but thought I might have to return to my county job.

Kate Hale the County Emergency Manager asked when the Cavalry was going to arrive.

And things really got interesting.