Home History Hurricane Andrew 33rd Anniversary by Ken Wilde

Hurricane Andrew 33rd Anniversary by Ken Wilde

Special contribution from the Miami Springs Historical Society

August 25, 2025

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Heddy Kuhl sitting on one of the benches that used to be on the ground (Photo courtesy Miami Springs Historical Society and Museum.)

Hurricane Andrew made landfall near Homestead as a Category 5 hurricane on August 24, 1992, 33 years ago this week. No one living in South Florida at the time will ever forget it.

The storm uprooted trees all over South Florida including this giant Ficus tree that stood in front of Miami Springs High School since it was built in 1965. That’s Heddy Kuhl sitting on one of the benches that used to be on the ground.

I remember the day before, after learning that the winds had reached 150 mph, gathering our family & heading north on the turnpike at a snails pace with tens of thousands of others. Emotions were high upon making our way back to our home in Miami Springs the next day over & around the downed trees & debris, finding that we still had our home & realizing how fortunate we were. Then being without electricity for weeks and driving to Palm Beach County, loading up my Suburban with ice and distributing it to neighbors. Power was restored by an FPL crew lead by my new hero Spencer Deno III. What are your memories of Hurricane Andrew?

Visit the Miami Springs Historical Society and Museum The Miami Springs Historical Society is located at 501 East Drive in Miami Springs.

Miami Springs Historical Society Museum

Address:
501 East Drive
Miami Springs, FL 33166

Directions:

From the Palmetto, exit at NW 36th Street and head East on NW 36th Street. Continue East on NW 36th Street and make a left hand turn (North) on East Drive. Continue North until you reach 501 East Drive.

From I-95, take I-95 to State Road 112 Westbound. Exit State Road 112 at NW 36th Street. Continue west on NW 36th Street until you reach East Drive. Make a right hand turn at East Drive (North). Continue North on East Drive until you reach 501 East Drive.

From Hialeah, take Okeechobee Road until you reach East 4th Avenue. Turn south on East 4th Avenue and cross the bridge into Miami Springs. Take the center lane and continue south onto East Drive. You’ll see Stafford Park on your left hand side and then the entrance to the Museum Parking lot at 501 East Drive.