The Hurricane Andrew Story

Sports drink of the Olympic Games with 33% more. Andrew, one premier motion picture inspired by actual events. Andrew is still in the Atlantic, possibly threatening South Florida by the first of the week. You are in a hurricane area. You must evacuate immediately. We will feel the storm. Witness the courage of ordinary people who became heroes in the face of fury. It's aiming right at us. NBC presents a movie event based on the stories of the people who survived the most powerful hurricane in history. We're gonna be okay. The Hurricane Andrew Story, next. Ghost. It was the most costly disaster in United States history. Ed, can you get Kate Hale at Emergency Management? National Hurricane Center. Dr. Sheets, please. Brian Norcross calling. No luck, Brian. It didn't weaken overnight and it could turn west. It's slow now, but you know how quickly that can change. We'll leave the news out with it, Bob. Thanks. Morning, Brian. How's your storm? It's getting stronger. By early next week, this one could really be... Your big one. Maybe. Every 30 years or so... I hope you've warned me more than once. Okay, well, I want to rerun preparedness 92 with the window test today before people leave for the weekend. Get Lopez to preempt something? No way. Who feels there's been too much crying wolf over hurricanes as it is a lot of it by you? That's my job. Lopez decides what your job is. All right. Alright, but you're the news director. At least let me do a live shot. Maybe from Fire and Rescue so people know we're serious. Has Dr. Sheets put up a watch yet? Let me know when he does. Until then, we are playing this with minimal wolf. No scare stuff. Just let the public know what the situation is. Cheer up, Brian. Why spoil everybody's weekend when the thing may not land until next week? Thank you. It's doing it. Watches me soon. Don't get too excited. Dad got a phone call. Yeah, Justin, Carolyn. You guys are my troopers, right? Now the Chief's put the whole fire department on alert. A big storm might be coming. Didn't he look up? Now, whether computers can see things, we can't. It may clear up by tomorrow, but I can't be sure. We never get to sleep on the boat. It can't help it. Hey. Oh, man! No golf. I'm sorry, girl. I gotta get to the station. So I'll study for my real estate exam. I know this is about the thousandth time. I really thought when we bought that second hat, Tuffy would be able to... Doc, that boat was the best birthday present I ever got. Yeah? Really is your turn, you know? We're not going. Don't use that tone with me, man. Hey, I am just talking. You're screaming. I have to be heard around here. When you have something to say... Guys, you are not setting much of an example for the younger kids. He's not setting an example when he never keeps his promise. No, Robin, he has to work. Don't stay shut up. Kids, now just keep it down to size. Your father didn't make this story. I know you got the next one. Hey, Mom, shut it off! Shut it off! I'm telling you, I'm on a team! I'm on a team. Mom, don't destroy me, okay? I'm not going to destroy you. I'm going to destroy you. I'm going to destroy you. I'm going to destroy you. I'm going to destroy you. I'm going to destroy you. How's your cholesterol? Don't ask. Blame it on the storm. What storm? In the Atlantic. I'm on security alert in case it becomes a hurricane. How come they didn't tell the civilian staff? No big deal, Paulette. Happens every time. A hurricane's even remotely possible. I was a kid in Mississippi when Hurricane Camille hit. Nothing was left of my grandmother's house. Well, you can't overcome that irrational fear like I do. Loads of cargo in 1992, up from 150,000 loads in 1986. Kelly said now more than half the freight leaving the U.S. for Latin America passes through Miami. Brian House, Tropical Storm, and we're looking this news. Andrew is still in the Atlantic with sustained winds of 60 miles per hour, but could build to hurricane strength as it moves in east of the Bahamas, possibly threatening South Florida by the first of the week. But, hurricanes can change speed and direction without warning. Be sure and stay in touch with us over the weekend. So now, since it's our first potential hurricane of the season, let's do a little homework. Right now, Andrew is a tropical storm. That means winds of less than 74 miles per hour. Over 74, we've got a category 1 hurricane. Rose, get Mark Cross and Channing in here. It's a matter of how big and where it's headed. A Cleo in 64 was a category 2 with winds of 110 miles per hour. Hugo, category 4, ripped South Carolina in 1989 with winds of 135 miles per hour. That could happen here. Hurricanes are gauged on a scale of 1 to 5. Fives, we don't even want to think about. Well, that's it. Stay tuned this weekend. Thank you, Brian. Well, area sportsmen have something to look forward to besides the usual great weather. The Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau announced the American Association of Sporting Goods. It's not her fault. She told me minimal wolf, but this feels maximal. Based on what? The last time you saw her, wind chimes never moved. Ed, you hired me because I'm a meteorologist. Conditions are perfect for a major hurricane. And what if they're going away for the weekend and the storm builds faster and it's too late for them to prepare? Are you willing to take the heat if they're not warmed in time? Give him what he wants, but tell him I'm not doing anything else until his pal Sheets puts up the watch. Okay. But, uh, there is one other little thing. How about a staff meeting? Just so our people are prepared. Brian, we have the best prepared staff in the history of South. You've done how many hurricane specialists? Eight? Ten? We have brochures. We have panels. We have special call-in numbers. We have crashing window panes. You're breaking me, my friend. Understood. Here, Ruth. Apartments need to be ready just like houses. How about your house? Or is it immune? Ah. Here, Leslie. One for you and one for your parents. They've got one, Brian. Maybe they lost it. Give it to them anyway. Ted. Take this home and read it. Brian, I read it. I'm prepared. I'm very prepared. Can't be too prepared. This is not for you. This is for your wife. Carmen is a sensible woman. Channing said she turned down your live shot. Go ahead and do something for the six. Minimal wolf. Ruth. Send me on a wild goose chase. I hope you got the goose. Not a cop or a bad guy in sight. Not that the rookie photographer you assigned me would have caught it anyway. Why don't you send me out with Nick Wrigley? Huh? His footage is amazing. Well, you gotta pay your dues, babe. He was carrying a camera in Nam when you were in play school. Let's, uh, keep the babe stuff down, okay? And be professional. I don't think you're being silly. Nobody's gonna be unprofessional just because we're... Bright or nice? Sure. Bright or not. She should distract me, you know, then. Look, here's Simon, editor. Sign me. Hang on. Norcross has got the last news van for a piece from South Day. Hurricane preparation and stuff. Norcross is doing the news? That means Andrew's turning into something that could be a national story. It's WeatherCalm. Plenty of great careers were started on weather. Maybe. You gotta help me out. I'm just asking you to go to bat for me with Channing. I mean, since I got here, what? Eight months and two days ago, she's given me nothing but the police beat. The woman is keeping me down. There'll be plenty of police stories if this thing happens. But I want to do the feature pieces. Not right in the thick of it. Brian, I'm telling you, if I have to stand in front of one more manacle drug dealer hiding his face from his mother, this is Cal Kessler from the Department of Corrections. Oh! All right? What do you know about hurricanes? They're big blowhards, which I can relate to. What can I say? I'm from the Midwest. It would be my first hurricane. But just think what a fresh-faced neophyte would bring to a routine situation. Cal, there is nothing routine about a hurricane. And innocence is not a selling point. Here. Bone up on these, then we'll talk. Hey, thanks, man. See you. It stays like this to make me look like a fool or a liar. I'm not going to touch that line in recess. Hey, your job's more secure than mine. Brian, I don't trust this story. Let the viewers know you're on standby. It'll have an impact. What else are you doing? Well, we're setting up transmission points. Three widely spaced locations. In our experience, a hurricane never knocks out all three. Even if it goes as high as a Category 3 or higher? Hugo gusted to 155. We can withstand that. What we can't withstand is apathy. Most people just don't want to know that South Florida was totally flattened in 1926. Their whole lives have been blue sky and chlorophyll. Okay, Brian, we're ready. I'm speaking with Chief Ramon Menendez of the Metro-Dade Fire Department. Chief, it's too soon to know exactly where this storm is going, but are you ready? Yes, Brian. All 1,400 members of the fire and rescue team are on standby, urging their loved ones to stay very close to their TVs and radios this weekend. Dr. Sheets, Brian Orcroft on three. Thanks. Brian. Andrew's looking stronger. It may be picking up speed. Any chance at all it'll miss us? I would bet my major medical on it. I'm going to go to the store and buy a new one. I'm going to go to the store and buy a new one. I'm going to go to the store and buy a new one. I'm going to go to the store and buy a new one. I'm going to go to the store and buy a new one. I'm going to go to the store and buy a new one. I'm going to go to the store and buy a new one. I got a new baby suit, just three bucks. Mrs. What's-her-name with the hair? She's at the store. Good, but always leave me a note, okay? Okay. There's a storm named Andrew that might turn into a hurricane. Andrew? How come they don't ever use the back of the office bed? There's never gonna be a Hurricane Tricia. Well, there's gonna be a Hurricane Paulette if you don't quit blabbing in my ear. But do stay tuned to your sets throughout the weekend. Mister, if somebody finally puts that dude on, it's never good news. Chief, it's too soon to know exactly where this storm is going, but are you ready? Yes, Brian. All 1,400 members of the fire and rescue team are on standby. Honey, we're probably not gonna go, so why don't you go get dressed? I love this. You could play in this rain course. No. No TV during dinner. Oh, it's alright. We'll watch you in the store. Wally, there's chicken. Wally. The activity is still a good 700 miles east of the Bahamas, which would put landfall into next week. Right. So we're going. I don't understand. The dad expects to be on standby all weekend. Well, let's go without him. It's your boat. I don't know the first thing about that boat yet. And I'm darn sure not going to try it out on stormy seas. Hello? It's coming next week. This is Friday. You just don't want to do it. Robin? You've been home by nine. Sure, Mom. So while we may have some storm activity next week, go ahead and enjoy your weekend. But all in all, it should be one of the prettiest weekends of the summer. These storms are crazy and unpredictable. Be prepared. Don't dare leave home without checking with us. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Marco. Hey Robin. Hey, um, you ever take out a 26 footer? Yeah, I could. They're all pretty much the same. Why? You got a boat. Yeah. It's not a hot one or a drug one, because my dad, he'll go crazy. No, it's my mother's. All day tomorrow, we could head for the Keys, but my parents didn't know. Okay, you tell your parents that you're spending the night with the family, and I'll do the same like that, but won't tell them which family. Yes! Yeah! Woo! Is Dr. Feets there? It's Brian Norcross calling. Feets. I guess it didn't go away. No, it's officially a hurricane now. Heading west and picking up speed. Could come in sooner than expected. We'll probably put up a watch late today. Thanks, Bob. I think I'll watch as him and then I'm in for the long haul. Put some stuff in the bag for me. I'm going to drop the storm shutters. Well, I'll be robbing him to help. That'll be good for him. Life is too short. Oh, you know, this may be really bad timing, but you could try a little harder with him. I do try. Don't I? Something goes on between you two. I don't know. Didn't you get under your father's fingernails when you were 13? Yes, yeah, but I have a little respect. You know, not that this isn't fun, but I've got to go. Robin can help you get the boat out of the marina. I'll hitch up the trailer. Dylan. Yeah? You know something I know? That's just one and four, and the storm will hit us. Keep that until tomorrow morning. That's the only chance I'll get. Okay. It's aiming right at us. I want to go on hourly updates. I want to rerun the specials, put more reporters out in the field, and I want to get the helpline up and running. Hold it, hold it, Brian. Are we on official watch yet? By late today. Please, go with me now. You won't be sorry. You know Ed's policy. Alright, alright, let me think about it while you're on the air. Go on, get going. Yeah. Oh, uh, Cal Kessler's interested in working on this. Hello? Carmen, hi, it's Sandra. Is Ed around? No, he's playing tennis. Should I try and reach him? I'll catch up with him later, thanks. Sure. Ruth, how's your headache? I don't have one. Get ready, it's hurricane time. Cal Kessler, you're working with Norcross. Track down Ty Elliott and Leslie Ames. No weekends for reporters or cameramen. The Bahamas are under a watch, which means parts of Florida could be within 12 hours. What does a watch mean to you? Time to check out your own storm shutters. Make sure the bolts haven't rusted since last season. And check your flashlight and radio batteries. Speaking of radio, we're beginning our special radio link with Y100, so keep your car radio tuned. And I hope you're going to enjoy this special radio link. Ah, let's see. And now the latest weather update from our sister station, WTDJ. Next, a plaque is A, a contract, B, a map, C, a gully, or D, none of the above. Uh, B. Oh, Lord, we've got to go get that boat. Carolyn, did you get Robin out? No, he isn't home. This was on his pillow. Mom, don't worry. I'm spending a night with a nice family. Don't worry, Robin. What family? Itty-twitty, son of a... Ben, I'm right here. Your fever went up again, but you're all right. Do you need anything? Um, water. You really ought to force fluids. How about your pillows? Don't be nice to him. He'll get used to it. You spoil him. You know, Ben, if I were your wife... You'd be so neglected, you'd get well faster. Oh, she doesn't like it when I pick on you. Will you just remember this, Ben? When you deal with those pushy doctors, remind them you have a purple heart and they don't. See? Now, Ben, I hope you'll keep the noise down. Because my older sister and I are listening to you at a tea party. Older? Who's older? I even brought fresh lemon. Oh, what a good idea, Shelly. I really needed that. But I thought you were coming tomorrow. Well, I was until I heard old... What's his name? You know, that weatherman on Channel 4. Some hoopla about a storm. Who? Oh, Elsa, don't turn that television on. I have lived down here. For six years, they're always giving us warnings. Nothing ever comes of it. Now, no one is yet predicting a South Florida landfall, but as you see, Andrew is in a position that could conceivably affect Miami. It's coming right for us. It's always coming right for us. I think they use old pictures. Fiddlesticks. Come stay with us at our apartment. Because it's farther from the water there. My dogs would never speak to me again. All right, Elsie. If it's absolutely necessary, I will go to their silly shelter. Shelly, please, please don't go back down to Cutler Ridge. I couldn't stand it if I lost you, too. What are you talking about? Ben has another good ten years in him. How many times have you made this hospital trek? At least a half dozen. I'm afraid this time it's different. His spirit isn't there. I see it in his eyes. You're cooped up too much all day. I want you to go for a walk. Go on, go on, it'll clear your head. Go for a walk. I'll hover over him, okay? Emergency operations center tells me that right now it enters a category 2 but it could go to a 3. Now if that happens we're going to have to evacuate. Staff meeting at 3. Hey. Y'all moving the jets? It's getting more likely by the minute. My boss won't let me off, and I've got to secure my trailer. Your trailer will be fine. The government's just very cautious. I understand we're even leaving a couple of jets here for national security reasons. Would Uncle Sam just blow those off? Listen, he didn't have to save up for a down payment like I did. This is the first thing I've ever owned that's all mine. I've got to do something. Sit tight, huh? But if this goes national, maybe I can retire from those drug dealers who hide their faces from their mothers. You know, we could do something really creative. I'm sure Channing just wants the facts. No, no, no. These rescue types actually do good for a living. Think about that. We have a chance here to plumb their soft underbellies. Find out what makes them men's men, women's women for that matter. Don't want to be sexist this year and not get caught at it. Doug, is the train your home yet? Yeah, I'm all set. Also, I spoke too soon. Vince, how about you? Storm shut us up? Skipped it. I'm two miles inland. I just have to drag in a welcome mat and one spindly friend. You're righty here. Menendez is ordered. Get back as soon as you can. What time did he leave? Could have been any time after 10 o'clock last night. Damn that kid. Except we both don't have enough to think about. Have you reached his friends'parents? Well, I'm still trying the Keefers and the Santiago's, but his closest friends haven't a clue. Still have time to get the boat in the morning. Wouldn't have gone off alone. Not with a storm coming. Oh, here, here, get some of that. It's funny, he didn't look like a drug dealer. How you doing? We were just shooting around the building. I wonder if you'd be willing to share with us on camera some of the emotional experiences that drew you into rescue work. Union wages. That's it? I mean, don't you feel some calling, some sense of destiny? No, but I bet you do. Cal, these guys are just doing their jobs. They don't want to hear questions about destiny, just the facts. All right, I can be as dull as the next man. We get an average of 400 calls a day in Dade County, about 25 to 30 at this station. About 75% of those are medical emergencies. The rest, fire calls. Our emergency vehicles are on standby 24 hours a day. And we also supply the area's 213 shelters with medical supplies. Our storehouses hold 600,000 gauze bandages, 42,000 rubber gloves, 6,000 IV bags, 6,000 oxygen masks. That's just for starters. Tell me, Mel, what is it that draws people like you into rescue work? Is it some sense of destiny? Beats me, but I'd sure be interested in knowing if you find out. Don't start. I've just been informed we're now under a watch, and the Bahamas are up to a warning. By 6 a.m. tomorrow, we'll know if evacuation is going to be necessary. All right, so this is it, folks. We will feel this storm. Just a question. Now, Hart. So if you haven't prepared your family yet, now's the time. All right, good luck. Let's go. And take everything that's not nailed down inside. A projectile and break your windows, or even worse. Brian, why did it take you so long to call a staff meeting? I've been begging you for days. So I brought along my wife, Carmen, as a peace offering. She'll work the helpline. Hi, how are you? Category 2, huh? Yeah. I'm afraid it could go as high as a three or even a four. Well, you said you wanted to be in news, right? This is why we all got in, so... Maybe you never intended to be a combat reporter. Certainly wasn't my first choice, but it looks like we've all been drafted, so... Since it's the weekend, we're already downstaffed as far as I'd like to go. Everybody is needed, here and in the field. We go on to continuous coverage at 5 a.m. tomorrow morning, Sunday. Now, considering the gravity of the storm, I wouldn't blame anybody who wanted to hunker down with their family. You're invited to do that here at the station. Bring along your kids, your parents, your Doberman pinchers, whatever you hold dear. As far as I'm concerned, this is my family. So I hope you'll decide to stay. Could Brian tell us what a Category 4 would do? Well, you have to expect massive destruction, damage to virtually every building, and if it really gets that high, and that's a big if, everything is secondary to loss of life. You can expect winds of 140 miles per hour to push a 20-foot storm surge onshore, causing danger of drowning. And even inland, away from the water, people are knocked out of danger. Everything is a potential missile. If you can look out your window and see a tree, imagine it coming right at you. And after the storm, no power, no water, no communication, no way to get around. I hope I'm scaring you. Um, twisted street signs, overturned cars and boats. Forget him. The Hurricane Andrew story continues. Starring Ted Wass and Bryn Thayer. Morning. Hey. You know, on a normal day, I think after college I'll open a Walmart or something. But on days like this, I'm positive I want to join the Merchant Marines. What do you think about them? Eating. All my stuff's gone. Think clear thoughts and you'll never go hungry. The diet's here for my mom. Great. We are evacuating everybody to a safer hospital. There's no room for me in the ambulance, but I'll come as soon as I can. This is the Hewlin home. Please leave a message after the beep. And if this is Robin, get yourself home immediately. We'll be back by noon. All right. Let's haul it. We'll be stuck in traffic. Carolyn! Oh, honey, we're not going in the water. I'm just going to brush my teeth. Step it up, Teresa. We got to go. Mommy, can I run one later with the hair? I should have the FTV. Uh-huh. Girls, what did you not know? Masking tape doesn't do anything to protect your windows. You must cover them with shutters. So, hopefully your windows are good and ready. More in. The Emergency Operations Center wants to remind pet owners that shelters are not equipped to take pets. So, be sure to leave your animals a two to three day supply of food and water and confine them to an inside room. Oh, no way, North Cross. What do you say, Bud-Bitch? Shall we report him to the SPCA? Sock in at least a week's supply of food, drinking water, and check the batteries for your flashlights and radios. What? It's... ...charm. I don't know what I'm doing. I don't know what I'm doing. I don't know what I'm doing. I don't know what I'm doing. I don't know what I'm doing. I don't know what I'm doing. Well, it's better, but five or six flips of masking tape across the window all the way to the edge helps keep people from rattling around too much in a good wind. That's what Marie and I do. Miss Oaken, preparing for the storm? Yeah. Vince, could you and Marco come over and tape my windows? I'm afraid young Marco is AWOL. He took off early yesterday, even before we woke up. I never had kids for that very reason. So... Come on. George? Yeah? George? Yeah? Could you help us with, uh, Carla's turn? Slip 24? Yeah, in a minute. Well, where's our boat? I don't know. About four or five stations to be evacuated. Chief, pick up line three. Menendez. Oh, my Lord, Carla. Listen, I'll get the Coast Guard on it for you. You get a hold of yourself. Hold up, I need to talk to him personally. Listen to me, Carla. You go on hold now, and drop a fine, when you get there. Must evacuate immediately. All people must evacuate. You are in an evacuation area. You are in a hurricane area. You must evacuate immediately. You are in an evacuation area. Attention! This is an evacuation area of a hurricane. You must evacuate immediately. You are in an evacuation area. You are in a hurricane area. You must evacuate immediately. You are in an evacuation area. You are in a hurricane evacuation area. You must evacuate immediately. All persons must evacuate immediately. This is a hurricane evacuation area. All persons must evacuate immediately. But get where you're going as quickly as possible. I-95 and the Turnpike are parking lots, as one billion people in South Florida head away from the coast in sinking shelter. Alright, since you guys are here, we're gonna miss the network. Come on! North Miami Beach High Street, 1474 East 967th Street. Greek Orthodox Church, 12501.67. Believe me, Tricia, I wouldn't be taking us to Glenna's house if you weren't really far inland, out of the evacuation zone. They're not waiting their turn. World's full of them, honey. Oh, right. The cops got them. To facilitate a full evacuation, the police have now mobilized units to escort the homeless to various shelters. If you have a hurricane question, our helpline volunteers are standing by at 555-6363. That's 555-6360. I've seen stupid and I've been stupid, but this dude's all... They're collecting toys. Excuse me! Excuse me! May I use your phone, please? Thanks. But the Red Cross will advise us of new shelter openings so we can keep you posted. Could someone with the state please get a hold of Tallahassee and get the toll taken off the turnpike? Thanks for calling, Paulette. And now to continue with the news. We've just received word that an air force reconnaissance tells us the eye is tightening and wind speed is increasing. This means Andrew is moving faster and could reach Miami sooner. Leslie, I've got a story for you. 30 problem pregnancies dropping barometric pressure may induce labor. What is it? My son is just two. I mean, Ron's great with him, but he's not a mother. You know, I should be with him. I honestly don't know what I'd do. Better take a little time to think about it. Reports from the Bahamas of 145 mph sustained winds means that Hurricane Andrew, as feared, has been upgraded to Category 4. And a tornado watch now goes into effect for Central and South Florida through 11 a.m. tomorrow. By sundown, it is expected over 1,000 residents will crowd this shelter to receive food and medical attention from the Red Cross and solace from each other as they wait and wonder if Andrew is tearing their world apart. It's so cool to see you. It's a show and it takes store. And your voice, it'll be giant. You said you knew how. Hey, the engine won't start. Maybe it's just shy. Why don't you look the other way? Hey, it's not funny Marco. That damn hurricane probably... Alright, alright, chill out, chill out. Well, radio the Coast Guard. The battery's dead. Damn it, Marco. Hey, fella, calm down, all right? Well, signal with a flare or a flashlight or something. You got one? I know many of you are out there trying to make preparations you couldn't get to earlier. But please, you must take shelter as soon as possible. Leave the highways open for emergency vehicles. This is going to be a major storm for South Florida. We can't predict the exact time and place of landfall, but we can safely say that none of us have seen anything of this magnitude in our lifetime. If you're in an evacuation zone and still at home, build mountains of furniture. Something your family can climb onto in case water floods your head. Grounding is a danger. Pile chairs on top of beds or sofa as high as you can. If you have any flotation devices around, have them handy. Light jackets, children's water waves, an old inner tube could pop off. Some mattresses float and sticky-pump mattresses. Whether or not you're in an evacuation zone, it's important to have a mattress you can get under to protect your family from falling debris. Marta? Good point, Brian. Now, if you haven't dragged a mattress into your safe space, please take care of it now. In the Kendall area, another shelter has opened at Southwest Elementary School. You're on break for at least 30 minutes. Don't talk to anyone. You're getting scratchy. We'll be updating you on the shelter situation as they open. Dammit, Cal. I don't care how good that footage is. Just get your butt into a shelter. All right. I'll be there soon. Soon nothing. People are going to die tonight, Cal, and you're a good candidate. Brian? The roof looks bad. I think I can go out and clear the gutters again though. Hey, don't talk. I wouldn't go out Emilio. If I don't, the roof might go. I need to take a look at their arm. I'm going to have to leave. Ah. You all are going to die. Emergency generator must have kicked in. For now, Metro-Dade Fire Department is responding to an increasing number of emergency calls, 50% more than normal, amid worries about how long they can continue to send their finest into harm's way. Back to you at the studio. Alright, we're clear. Come on, let's go back out there. Hey, hey, hey, where do you think you're going? There's scale force winds out there. Don't worry about it, we'll take cover soon. He was in there. For God's sake, Scal, that doesn't make me immune. Just give me another hand, okay? And then I'll buy you the towel so you can throw it at me. We're looking at the latest radar graphic. God, so this is Camille all over again. I will come ashore just south of Miami. Maybe we should go to a shelter now before it's too late. Protect yourself as best you can now. There is extreme danger of flying debris. Do not try to navigate the roads. Let's go. No music. No. A lull in the storm probably means the storm is only half through, so stay tight in your bathroom or closet. Now, the WTVJ staff, for its own safety, is moving into a reinforced concrete bunker. We feel it's the safest room in the building. Now is the time for you to go to the safest room in your home. Yes, ma'am. Emilio, make sure those families downstairs are all away from the doors and the windows, all right? All right. We're protected in a windowless room which is where you should be too. You should be protected by a bathroom. I'm going to the bathroom. Like Brian Northcott said. How is Robin right there? He likes noises. Don't be scared, Carol. Don't be scared. We're safe. I suppose. Is that possible, Dad? No. No, it will not. I'd like to go out. There's a flashlight just for you, alright? The National Hurricane Center is bracing itself against the first lands of a high wind... ...with gusting from 50 to 80 miles an hour, slam against the Florida coast. Andrew passed over the Bahamas several hours ago, packing winds of 150 miles an hour and claiming at least four. For God's sakes, Bruce, would you get yourself in the bunker downstairs? I lost Cal on the teletrack after Cutler Ridge. I'm gonna kill him. No, I'll fire him. Now, come on, let's go. Emilio wants this whole area shut down. No, please. I couldn't live with myself if he called here and there was no one to guide him. All right, I'll tell you what. We'll take turns till he calls in. I'll take the first 20 minutes right now. Come on, let's go. You take a break. You're Shelly from Cutler Ridge. How can I help? My husband is killing me. It's the pressure. I can't stand it. Is it all right if I open the window just to crack? No. Don't you dare open a door or a window. Are you in a windowless room or a closet now? No, I have to get out of the closet. My dogs are driving me crazy. Shelly, get back into that closet now, with or without your dogs. I guess. Thank you. Shelley brings up an important point. Don't leave your safe space. Just go. The camera's jury rigged. It might get us one more live shot on a shelter. Can we try a piece now? Maybe me, supported by a punk network, would love it. You know what your problem is? Too young to realize you can die young. Here, I forget. Stairlocks. We gotta get to a shelter. Where the hell are we? Gotta get that cellular call to order. We're gonna have to pick up that post. Together. Our guys aren't safe out there another minute. Okay, attention please. We cannot respond to any call for help for at least three or four hours, all right? We have a child. Possible concussion in country walk. Sorry, too dangerous out there. Sorry, Doug. Nothing on Robin from the Coast Guard yet. I'm not with a kid now. Listen, if there's anything I can do... Not. I'll hang with you. Thanks. That's very good. Carla? Carla? Carla? Carla? Carla? Carla? Carla? Carla? Carla? Carla? Carla? Carla? Carla? Carla? Carla? Carla? Carla? Carla? Carla? Carla? Carla? Carla? Carla? Carla? I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry Nurse! All everyone to the insertion portal. We will be back in a minute. The world changes in the space that we live in. So, please, let us know about your future success. This is the only way to make a difference. I love you. I love you so much. I really love you all. I miss you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. Okay. What you're hearing is roof tiles coming off. Get your family under the mattress now. Hello? Good work, Brian. I get some rest. Good job. Gotcha. Southwest 152nd Avenue. He's nowhere near a shelter. There's even nowhere he lives. Yes. Cal! Maybe you've got to get us to a shelter. We can't even see. Okay. Okay, look, you're, um, you're coming up to the turnpike overpass. You're going great. We can't see the road. You're on it. Just go. Ruth, if anything happens to Nick and me, it's my fault, okay? Listen to me. Hey. I want to tell you I'm sorry for everything I put you through. Sure. Bye, Al. I really love you. You deserve way better than me. Shut up, Carol. You need to shut up! Ruth! Ruth, wait! It's at it. There! It's gonna get a lot worse before it gets better. Got to hold that door. Worse before it gets better. All right. Do you have a family? No. My wife left me a long time ago with this kind of stupidity. I'm sorry. With winds of 164 miles an hour, our radar on the roof has gone out and we are on backup generators. So we intend to keep you informed throughout the duration of this storm. Dr. Sheets, I can see West Palm Beach radar from here, and you're right on the northern edge of the eyewall. It's just us now. The other station's lesser signal. Hang in there. We got a live feed from Cal. From under an overpass at SW 152nd Avenue, my photographer Dick Freakley has rigged his camera over the back seat so that we can continue broadcasting and avoid flying debris driven by fierce winds. Even with the shelter of the overpass, I'm sure you can see the shaking of the van. I hear the howling of the wind, and I can only wonder, Brian, at how the rest of Miami is faring through this nonstop onslaught. As roofing and ceilings are likely to be loose. We really don't know what the area looks like, but our crews will be on the road soon to let you know how we survive the night. All right, sweetie. The wind is gone. We're going out now. Did Robin come back? No. No, he couldn't. But I'm sure he found shelter. Oh, and let Mommy go first. Oh, some of our things are probably broken. But whatever they are, we can fix them, right? Not this day. Oh, I'm just going to pop your meter, ma'am, in case the electricity comes back on. Right. Did Daddy die? Did Robin die? We have to believe that they're all gone. I mean, we're alive, right? They have to be, too. Who's going to clean up this mess? I don't know. I don't know, God. Benno? Benno, come on. The new neighbors, come on. Wait, Carolyn, you stay right here. Will you watch her? Good. Help! I need help here. Even now, I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do it. I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do it. I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do it. I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do it. oh he's alive but we got to help next Station 34, QSK. For the rescue, respond to a 341, Chess Paines, 10750 SW 211th Street, 10750 SW 211th Street. Station 34, QSL 10750 SW 211 Street. Rescue 34 is responding. Doesn't look as bad as I thought. A couple of downed trees, those doors look pretty good beatin'. Did you get your wife? Yeah. Right there? Mel, if you go near my house! With all this trash, you can bet there'll be some roofs missing as I come. I might be able to get the audio to work. Not sure about the video. He nearly died last night. All I can think about is audio and video. What kind of warp mentality is that? Hey, he didn't die. We're just hearing from our reporter Leslie Ames at the federal courthouse. From here it looks like we got off pretty light. I mean this isn't at all what we'd expect from category four winds. I see only one tree knocked down and some pounds... This just doesn't add up. Balls coming in and nothing like what we're seeing out there. Get that chopper back in here. ASAP please. Sorry, ma'am. We can't let you go in there. No, they're not separating me from him again. They're not. This has to be 143rd Street. Man, it's got to be around here someplace. I'm going to be a little bit more of this. I'm going to be a little bit more of this. I'm going to be a little bit more of this. I'm going to be a little bit more of this. Hey, stop! You're out to play farther inland. Besides, Karma's a pistol! No. Nothing. Channel 4 News. Help! Oh, baby. Oh, baby, I love you. Are you all right? Oh, thank God. I'm going to flatten you when I see you. You put us... They're both fine. What's it like? It's all Brian said a four would do. Maybe worse. I'm going back on. After 22 hours on the air, the hell you are. Tell Cal I want his audio right now. All right, Cal, I'm going to put you up to the control room and get you on the air. All right. Ed, no, no. Ed. Brian, you've done more than could be expected. Now let somebody else carry the load. Come on. I don't remember, Ed. Was it you or me who hired him? This is Cal Kessler at a shopping center where walls and windows are blown out as though there's been a war. In fact, a war zone is the first thing that comes to mind as the National Guard arrive in force to preserve order. We have no word of loss of lives yet, but loss of everything else is painfully apparent in the eyes of the survivor. ...Demonstration. Who will handle our lives? Chief Wallington, I'm gonna start the coast and work inland. We'll get a better idea once we're up. Hey! What are you doing? I can't believe that. Broad daylight. I guess a few tears will be spilled over those. A lot of roof damage. I don't know. It's okay. We didn't do that bad. Oh, my God. Menendez to base. Got a major catastrophe here. Major. It's going to take a while. And listen, Doug still doesn't know about his family. Has Mel come back in? Uh, Spence, Tuck's neighborhood was so torn up, he couldn't even tell what street was his. But no Hewlin's on the fatality list so far. That's good. Thanks. Remember I took obedience, not word of guidance. I'm going to play a song called The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The What's the rest of the damn number? 112-149-what? 112's not even an exchange. For God's sake, 112-149-what? It's 11-21-49. It's her birthday. It's Carla's birthday. Oh, she must not know what number she's dialing from. I don't think so. Please, girls. What do you need, Doug? Robin's birthday. Just received word that Red Cross is opening additional shelters at Southwest 107th Avenue in Killian with 10 boats. Where did your family come from? Homestead. Everything's gone. It's all gone. My house, my car, my mother's house, school, all gone. Stories like this are all too common. This morning after the winds let up, hundreds of survivors like these sought refuge in this already crowded shelter. But while the Red Cross is unable to accommodate everyone on the outside trying to get in, they are directing people to other emergency shelters and discouraging people from returning to dangerous exposed conditions. Incidentally, this shelter was rumored to have collapsed last night. As you can see, it weathered the furies intact. Excuse me, may I talk with you? Will somebody please help me move my car? Hey, hey you, I need a lift. Where are you going? Home today. That's on our list. Do you mind if we film you going back into your home? If that's what it takes. The first aerial view of the county shows widespread devastation of Homestead Air Force Base and the area nearby. That doesn't necessarily mean you're home, Wend. I worked at the base. North Miami Beach High School, 1247 North... It's not worth it. You work all your life for what? I try. You tell me that. Why try at all? Tell me! Because you're nothing else we can be. You know we're just too small to do anything for you. Yeah, I guess so. I, uh... Do you want us to give you a lift back? Here you go everybody, Sherry, Paul, and Rob. We'll upgrade it tomorrow. The next 48 hours will be critical as Andrew heads into the Gulf of Mexico, where a hurricane watch is posted from northern Florida to Texas. We got President Bush coming in at Opelika Airport. Who's close? Cal. No, not Cal. He's overextended and not that politically savvy. Oh, he's closest and we got blocked highways everywhere. Alright, I guess he deserves a break. I'm gonna interview the president. That's Nash. Oh, God. I look awful, man. I think there's a shaver in there. Yes, yes, yes, yes. Tell Mary Kay and the kids not to worry. She can't call me back. I'm going back out to search for victims. I can hardly hear you. Bye. Bye-bye. Bye. Bad connection. Why doesn't Daddy rescue us? He will soon, but I'm sure soon. After we eat, we're going to read our stories. See? The books are drying out over there. If you have a missing loved one, be sure to contact... Shouldn't we make extra? I'll pass them out. Sure. Anybody knows something about Marco Lieli, please let your station know. Marco Lieli, your parents need to hear from you. Faster, faster! They've got razors at the airport, I'm not going on without a shave. Look at me, I look like a pumper. Do you think they've got irons at the airport? As President Bush prepares to survey the devastated areas around Miami, Florida, we'll go live to Cal Kessler of our station WTVJ. How's it looking down there, Cal? Well, the President is in for a shock. There are parts of this area that have been ravaged perhaps beyond anything we've seen this century, and ironically, there are areas that are virtually untouched. Here's the President now. Sorry! Oh, honey, I'll fix it. Right? Let's go fix it. When's it going to be our turn to be saved? It's not like that, honey. There's other people worse off than we were. They can't be. We are going to save ourselves. We know how. Mrs. Hewlin? Did you find anyone? A couple dead, a few injured. Has anyone been by? The fire department? The police? The National Guard? No. No one. The death toll has mounted to 10 with the discovery of three more bodies in Florida City, still unidentified. We'll have more on that as soon as it's available. Florida Power and Light has been able to restore power to thousands of homes throughout this long day, but as darkness falls, many parts of Dade and Kendall remain without electricity. Please be extremely careful of your conserving batteries by using candles. Telephone service to hardest hit residential areas may take several days to restore, and Southern Bell asks your patience while lines for critical services are restored first. I think you! Runners! Runners in the alley! Watch your step! Runners! Runners! Get out of here! Thank you. It is a nightmare this morning on major thoroughfares serving South Dade and the Keys. Traffic backups as long as nine miles are reported this morning as some 750,000 evacuated residents return to their homes while emergency and humanitarian vehicles try to get through. Please, if you don't absolutely need to be on the road, go home. Sightseers are inhibiting rescue efforts of the police, fire department, and medical units. TVJ Helpline, this is Carmen. I hear you calling out missing persons. My son, he's 13. He was out on a boat missing since Friday. Robin Pulin. Please tell him his family's fine and he can call us on... 555-9814. Let me check our list. Maybe he's called in. I'm sorry, nothing yet. Thank you, Carmen. Robin? Nothing. Carolyn! Carolyn, your daddy's here! Sweetheart, I'm sorry I couldn't be here. Forgive me? I love you very much. Are you going to save us now? I have to go back to work. There are hurt people everywhere. Couldn't you at least save Robin? Well, if I knew where he was, I'd be there. I've got everybody looking for him. Police, the Coast Guard, the Red Cross. We're fine. Okay? I'll be back. I just keep thinking if I talk to him. Oh, would you just check? Check. Okay. The rest of the country can only wait and watch while coastal Louisiana braces itself for Andrew's wins. More than a million are expected to evacuate New Orleans and the coastal lowlands, which were hardest hit by Hurricane Audrey, which claimed 390 lives in 1957. Thank you. For local news, Salvation Army will open a soup kitchen in the Cutler Ridge Mall at noon. Dade County United Way needs volunteers. Please call the Red Cross if you know the whereabouts of Casey Kirkpatrick, Robin Hewlin, Antonio Martinez, or Stephanie Cowell. I'm going to be very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, Your house is around the corner. Might as well get it over with. Not a scratch. Next. We'll have to be quick if you want to make network. Here we go, Nick. Excuse me, Doctor, can we talk about fatalities? Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, Charlie? Charlie, are you in there? Okay, then try and find out what's left of the International House of Pancakes. It's about six blocks south of there. Okay, great. sent their sitters to a memory of violent hours. And as discouraging as the prospect of rebuilding might seem at this post-re- I... I... I'm not gonna play fast and loose with my life again. Yes, you will, Gal. You love it. You're hooked. Go home or you're fired. Please. I want to go up in the chopper, see the horror myself. I don't need a burned-out meteorologist. I need a bright-eyed, spanking clean one tomorrow morning. Brian, are you afraid to see what became of your house? No. Oh, yes. I don't know why I should be luckier than anybody else. Hey, if mine's okay, I'll feel guilty, too. But, boy, I want it to be. Come on, Carmen and I will give you a ride, all right? It's all right. I have my car. No, you don't. Actually, the news appropriated your car. I didn't want to wake you. I'll meet you up front, alright? Alright, fine. Give me a Sprout. Don't say why me. Say thanks. We made it. That boat is a terrible laugh. Oh shh, tell the boat we can get another boat. Here are the maps. Governor Childs said National Guard troops strength was increased to 4,500, both as a protection against lawlessness and to provide as much humanitarian assistance as possible in the affected streets and neighborhoods. Area hospitals are receiving welcome support with volunteer doctors and nurses arriving by bus from Palm Beach and Broward counties. Some are coming through the offices of organizations. ...their first relief today when by military airdrop food finally reached rural areas west of Homestead. Where some communities were cut off from ground transportation due to continuing high water from the storm surge. The statistics are mind-boggling with 35,000 homes destroyed, 50,000 damaged leaving more than 200,000 homeless. Many homes were inadequately insured allowing people left homeless by the storm. FEMA is pledging $57 million in immediate assistance, another $10 billion for long-range... The U.S. Department of Agriculture today released figures which put the loss of crops at $500 million... ...with two years required... ...housing camps were destroyed and who FEMA ruled... ...will not soon forget the heart-felt outpouring... of citizens and volunteer organizations across the nation. One of our own received special recognition as Miami's Mayor Xavier Suarez pronounced September 10th Bryan Norcross Day for outstanding services to the community. The National Guard are opening two additional tent cities to accommodate 200,000 whose homes were destroyed by Hurricane Andrew. And the struggle goes on in the southern part of Dade County. The debris, the broken homes, the broken dreams. Andrew's scars will remain for years. The cost in dollars continues to rise, now over $20 billion. The worst natural disaster the United States has ever known. But with the storm came a new spirit. In this community of different cultures and different languages, people met their neighbors for the first time. Neighborhoods faced Andrew together, and these bonds will last a lifetime. In spite of the horrible destruction, Miami is booming with the biggest tourist season ever. Andrew's lesson is there for all of us to learn. Living along the coast means living with hurricanes, just as other parts of the country live with their climates and natural disasters. Homes and buildings that are well prepared survive intact. If every community prepares for the worst, no one should go through the horrors of Hurricane Andrew again.

You are in a hurricane area. You must evacuate immediately. We will feel the storm. Witness the courage of ordinary people who became heroes in the face of fury.

It's aiming right at us. NBC presents a movie event based on the stories of the people who survived the most powerful hurricane in history. We're gonna be okay.

The Hurricane Andrew Story, next. Ghost. It was the most costly disaster in United States history.

Ed, can you get Kate Hale at Emergency Management? National Hurricane Center. Dr. Sheets, please.

Brian Norcross calling. No luck, Brian. It didn't weaken overnight and it could turn west.

It's slow now, but you know how quickly that can change. We'll leave the news out with it, Bob. Thanks.

Morning, Brian. How's your storm? It's getting stronger. By early next week, this one could really be... Your big one.

Maybe. Every 30 years or so... I hope you've warned me more than once.

Okay, well, I want to rerun preparedness 92 with the window test today before people leave for the weekend. Get Lopez to preempt something? No way.

Who feels there's been too much crying wolf over hurricanes as it is a lot of it by you? That's my job. Lopez decides what your job is.

All right. Alright, but you're the news director. At least let me do a live shot. Maybe from Fire and Rescue so people know we're serious.

Has Dr. Sheets put up a watch yet? Let me know when he does. Until then, we are playing this with minimal wolf.

No scare stuff. Just let the public know what the situation is. Cheer up, Brian.

Why spoil everybody's weekend when the thing may not land until next week? Thank you. It's doing it.

Watches me soon. Don't get too excited. Dad got a phone call.

Yeah, Justin, Carolyn. You guys are my troopers, right? Now the Chief's put the whole fire department on alert.

A big storm might be coming. Didn't he look up? Now, whether computers can see things, we can't. It may clear up by tomorrow, but I can't be sure. We never get to sleep on the boat.

It can't help it. Hey. Oh, man!

No golf. I'm sorry, girl. I gotta get to the station. So I'll study for my real estate exam.

I know this is about the thousandth time. I really thought when we bought that second hat, Tuffy would be able to... Doc, that boat was the best birthday present I ever got. Yeah? Really is your turn, you know?

We're not going. Don't use that tone with me, man. Hey, I am just talking.

You're screaming. I have to be heard around here. When you have something to say...

Guys, you are not setting much of an example for the younger kids. He's not setting an example when he never keeps his promise. No, Robin, he has to work.

Don't stay shut up. Kids, now just keep it down to size. Your father didn't make this story.

I know you got the next one. Hey, Mom, shut it off! Shut it off! I'm telling you, I'm on a team!

I'm on a team. Mom, don't destroy me, okay? I'm not going to destroy you.

I'm going to destroy you. I'm going to destroy you. I'm going to destroy you. I'm going to destroy you.

I'm going to destroy you. How's your cholesterol? Don't ask.

Blame it on the storm. What storm? In the Atlantic.

I'm on security alert in case it becomes a hurricane. How come they didn't tell the civilian staff? No big deal, Paulette.

Happens every time. A hurricane's even remotely possible. I was a kid in Mississippi when Hurricane Camille hit. Nothing was left of my grandmother's house. Well, you can't overcome that irrational fear like I do.

Loads of cargo in 1992, up from 150,000 loads in 1986. Kelly said now more than half the freight leaving the U.S. for Latin America passes through Miami. Brian House, Tropical Storm, and we're looking this news. Andrew is still in the Atlantic with sustained winds of 60 miles per hour, but could build to hurricane strength as it moves in east of the Bahamas, possibly threatening South Florida by the first of the week. But, hurricanes can change speed and direction without warning. Be sure and stay in touch with us over the weekend.

So now, since it's our first potential hurricane of the season, let's do a little homework. Right now, Andrew is a tropical storm. That means winds of less than 74 miles per hour. Over 74, we've got a category 1 hurricane. Rose, get Mark Cross and Channing in here.

It's a matter of how big and where it's headed. A Cleo in 64 was a category 2 with winds of 110 miles per hour. Hugo, category 4, ripped South Carolina in 1989 with winds of 135 miles per hour. That could happen here.

Hurricanes are gauged on a scale of 1 to 5. Fives, we don't even want to think about. Well, that's it. Stay tuned this weekend.

Thank you, Brian. Well, area sportsmen have something to look forward to besides the usual great weather. The Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau announced the American Association of Sporting Goods. It's not her fault. She told me minimal wolf, but this feels maximal.

Based on what? The last time you saw her, wind chimes never moved. Ed, you hired me because I'm a meteorologist. Conditions are perfect for a major hurricane. And what if they're going away for the weekend and the storm builds faster and it's too late for them to prepare?

Are you willing to take the heat if they're not warmed in time? Give him what he wants, but tell him I'm not doing anything else until his pal Sheets puts up the watch. Okay.

But, uh, there is one other little thing. How about a staff meeting? Just so our people are prepared.

Brian, we have the best prepared staff in the history of South. You've done how many hurricane specialists? Eight? Ten? We have brochures.

We have panels. We have special call-in numbers. We have crashing window panes. You're breaking me, my friend.

Understood. Here, Ruth. Apartments need to be ready just like houses. How about your house?

Or is it immune? Ah. Here, Leslie. One for you and one for your parents.

They've got one, Brian. Maybe they lost it. Give it to them anyway. Ted. Take this home and read it.

Brian, I read it. I'm prepared. I'm very prepared.

Can't be too prepared. This is not for you. This is for your wife.

Carmen is a sensible woman. Channing said she turned down your live shot. Go ahead and do something for the six.

Minimal wolf. Ruth. Send me on a wild goose chase.

I hope you got the goose. Not a cop or a bad guy in sight. Not that the rookie photographer you assigned me would have caught it anyway. Why don't you send me out with Nick Wrigley? Huh?

His footage is amazing. Well, you gotta pay your dues, babe. He was carrying a camera in Nam when you were in play school.

Let's, uh, keep the babe stuff down, okay? And be professional. I don't think you're being silly. Nobody's gonna be unprofessional just because we're... Bright or nice?

Sure. Bright or not. She should distract me, you know, then. Look, here's Simon, editor. Sign me.

Hang on. Norcross has got the last news van for a piece from South Day. Hurricane preparation and stuff.

Norcross is doing the news? That means Andrew's turning into something that could be a national story. It's WeatherCalm.

Plenty of great careers were started on weather. Maybe. You gotta help me out. I'm just asking you to go to bat for me with Channing. I mean, since I got here, what?

Eight months and two days ago, she's given me nothing but the police beat. The woman is keeping me down. There'll be plenty of police stories if this thing happens.

But I want to do the feature pieces. Not right in the thick of it. Brian, I'm telling you, if I have to stand in front of one more manacle drug dealer hiding his face from his mother, this is Cal Kessler from the Department of Corrections.

Oh! All right? What do you know about hurricanes? They're big blowhards, which I can relate to.

What can I say? I'm from the Midwest. It would be my first hurricane.

But just think what a fresh-faced neophyte would bring to a routine situation. Cal, there is nothing routine about a hurricane. And innocence is not a selling point.

Here. Bone up on these, then we'll talk. Hey, thanks, man.

See you. It stays like this to make me look like a fool or a liar. I'm not going to touch that line in recess. Hey, your job's more secure than mine. Brian, I don't trust this story.

Let the viewers know you're on standby. It'll have an impact. What else are you doing? Well, we're setting up transmission points.

Three widely spaced locations. In our experience, a hurricane never knocks out all three. Even if it goes as high as a Category 3 or higher?

Hugo gusted to 155. We can withstand that. What we can't withstand is apathy. Most people just don't want to know that South Florida was totally flattened in 1926. Their whole lives have been blue sky and chlorophyll.

Okay, Brian, we're ready. I'm speaking with Chief Ramon Menendez of the Metro-Dade Fire Department. Chief, it's too soon to know exactly where this storm is going, but are you ready?

Yes, Brian. All 1,400 members of the fire and rescue team are on standby, urging their loved ones to stay very close to their TVs and radios this weekend. Dr. Sheets, Brian Orcroft on three. Thanks. Brian.

Andrew's looking stronger. It may be picking up speed. Any chance at all it'll miss us? I would bet my major medical on it.

I'm going to go to the store and buy a new one. I'm going to go to the store and buy a new one. I'm going to go to the store and buy a new one.

I'm going to go to the store and buy a new one. I got a new baby suit, just three bucks. Mrs. What's-her-name with the hair? She's at the store. Good, but always leave me a note, okay?

Okay. There's a storm named Andrew that might turn into a hurricane. Andrew?

How come they don't ever use the back of the office bed? There's never gonna be a Hurricane Tricia. Well, there's gonna be a Hurricane Paulette if you don't quit blabbing in my ear. But do stay tuned to your sets throughout the weekend. Mister, if somebody finally puts that dude on, it's never good news.

Chief, it's too soon to know exactly where this storm is going, but are you ready? Yes, Brian. All 1,400 members of the fire and rescue team are on standby.

Honey, we're probably not gonna go, so why don't you go get dressed? I love this. You could play in this rain course.

No. No TV during dinner. Oh, it's alright. We'll watch you in the store. Wally, there's chicken.

Wally. The activity is still a good 700 miles east of the Bahamas, which would put landfall into next week. Right. So we're going.

I don't understand. The dad expects to be on standby all weekend. Well, let's go without him.

It's your boat. I don't know the first thing about that boat yet. And I'm darn sure not going to try it out on stormy seas.

Hello? It's coming next week. This is Friday. You just don't want to do it.

Robin? You've been home by nine. Sure, Mom. So while we may have some storm activity next week, go ahead and enjoy your weekend.

But all in all, it should be one of the prettiest weekends of the summer. These storms are crazy and unpredictable. Be prepared.

Don't dare leave home without checking with us. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. Marco. Hey Robin. Hey, um, you ever take out a 26 footer?

Yeah, I could. They're all pretty much the same. Why?

You got a boat. Yeah. It's not a hot one or a drug one, because my dad, he'll go crazy.

No, it's my mother's. All day tomorrow, we could head for the Keys, but my parents didn't know. Okay, you tell your parents that you're spending the night with the family, and I'll do the same like that, but won't tell them which family. Yes!

Yeah! Woo! Is Dr. Feets there?

It's Brian Norcross calling. Feets. I guess it didn't go away.

No, it's officially a hurricane now. Heading west and picking up speed. Could come in sooner than expected. We'll probably put up a watch late today. Thanks, Bob.

I think I'll watch as him and then I'm in for the long haul. Put some stuff in the bag for me. I'm going to drop the storm shutters.

Well, I'll be robbing him to help. That'll be good for him. Life is too short.

Oh, you know, this may be really bad timing, but you could try a little harder with him. I do try. Don't I? Something goes on between you two.

I don't know. Didn't you get under your father's fingernails when you were 13? Yes, yeah, but I have a little respect. You know, not that this isn't fun, but I've got to go. Robin can help you get the boat out of the marina.

I'll hitch up the trailer. Dylan. Yeah? You know something I know?

That's just one and four, and the storm will hit us. Keep that until tomorrow morning. That's the only chance I'll get. Okay. It's aiming right at us.

I want to go on hourly updates. I want to rerun the specials, put more reporters out in the field, and I want to get the helpline up and running. Hold it, hold it, Brian. Are we on official watch yet? By late today.

Please, go with me now. You won't be sorry. You know Ed's policy.

Alright, alright, let me think about it while you're on the air. Go on, get going. Yeah. Oh, uh, Cal Kessler's interested in working on this.

Hello? Carmen, hi, it's Sandra. Is Ed around?

No, he's playing tennis. Should I try and reach him? I'll catch up with him later, thanks.

Sure. Ruth, how's your headache? I don't have one. Get ready, it's hurricane time.

Cal Kessler, you're working with Norcross. Track down Ty Elliott and Leslie Ames. No weekends for reporters or cameramen. The Bahamas are under a watch, which means parts of Florida could be within 12 hours.

What does a watch mean to you? Time to check out your own storm shutters. Make sure the bolts haven't rusted since last season. And check your flashlight and radio batteries. Speaking of radio, we're beginning our special radio link with Y100, so keep your car radio tuned.

And I hope you're going to enjoy this special radio link. Ah, let's see. And now the latest weather update from our sister station, WTDJ. Next, a plaque is A, a contract, B, a map, C, a gully, or D, none of the above. Uh, B. Oh, Lord, we've got to go get that boat.

Carolyn, did you get Robin out? No, he isn't home. This was on his pillow.

Mom, don't worry. I'm spending a night with a nice family. Don't worry, Robin. What family? Itty-twitty, son of a...

Ben, I'm right here. Your fever went up again, but you're all right. Do you need anything?

Um, water. You really ought to force fluids. How about your pillows? Don't be nice to him.

He'll get used to it. You spoil him. You know, Ben, if I were your wife...

You'd be so neglected, you'd get well faster. Oh, she doesn't like it when I pick on you. Will you just remember this, Ben?

When you deal with those pushy doctors, remind them you have a purple heart and they don't. See? Now, Ben, I hope you'll keep the noise down. Because my older sister and I are listening to you at a tea party.

Older? Who's older? I even brought fresh lemon. Oh, what a good idea, Shelly. I really needed that.

But I thought you were coming tomorrow. Well, I was until I heard old... What's his name?

You know, that weatherman on Channel 4. Some hoopla about a storm. Who? Oh, Elsa, don't turn that television on. I have lived down here.

For six years, they're always giving us warnings. Nothing ever comes of it. Now, no one is yet predicting a South Florida landfall, but as you see, Andrew is in a position that could conceivably affect Miami. It's coming right for us.

It's always coming right for us. I think they use old pictures. Fiddlesticks.

Come stay with us at our apartment. Because it's farther from the water there. My dogs would never speak to me again.

All right, Elsie. If it's absolutely necessary, I will go to their silly shelter. Shelly, please, please don't go back down to Cutler Ridge. I couldn't stand it if I lost you, too. What are you talking about?

Ben has another good ten years in him. How many times have you made this hospital trek? At least a half dozen. I'm afraid this time it's different. His spirit isn't there.

I see it in his eyes. You're cooped up too much all day. I want you to go for a walk.

Go on, go on, it'll clear your head. Go for a walk. I'll hover over him, okay? Emergency operations center tells me that right now it enters a category 2 but it could go to a 3. Now if that happens we're going to have to evacuate. Staff meeting at 3. Hey.

Y'all moving the jets? It's getting more likely by the minute. My boss won't let me off, and I've got to secure my trailer.

Your trailer will be fine. The government's just very cautious. I understand we're even leaving a couple of jets here for national security reasons. Would Uncle Sam just blow those off?

Listen, he didn't have to save up for a down payment like I did. This is the first thing I've ever owned that's all mine. I've got to do something. Sit tight, huh? But if this goes national, maybe I can retire from those drug dealers who hide their faces from their mothers.

You know, we could do something really creative. I'm sure Channing just wants the facts. No, no, no. These rescue types actually do good for a living.

Think about that. We have a chance here to plumb their soft underbellies. Find out what makes them men's men, women's women for that matter. Don't want to be sexist this year and not get caught at it. Doug, is the train your home yet?

Yeah, I'm all set. Also, I spoke too soon. Vince, how about you?

Storm shut us up? Skipped it. I'm two miles inland. I just have to drag in a welcome mat and one spindly friend. You're righty here.

Menendez is ordered. Get back as soon as you can. What time did he leave?

Could have been any time after 10 o'clock last night. Damn that kid. Except we both don't have enough to think about. Have you reached his friends'parents?

Well, I'm still trying the Keefers and the Santiago's, but his closest friends haven't a clue. Still have time to get the boat in the morning. Wouldn't have gone off alone. Not with a storm coming. Oh, here, here, get some of that.

It's funny, he didn't look like a drug dealer. How you doing? We were just shooting around the building. I wonder if you'd be willing to share with us on camera some of the emotional experiences that drew you into rescue work.

Union wages. That's it? I mean, don't you feel some calling, some sense of destiny?

No, but I bet you do. Cal, these guys are just doing their jobs. They don't want to hear questions about destiny, just the facts. All right, I can be as dull as the next man.

We get an average of 400 calls a day in Dade County, about 25 to 30 at this station. About 75% of those are medical emergencies. The rest, fire calls. Our emergency vehicles are on standby 24 hours a day. And we also supply the area's 213 shelters with medical supplies.

Our storehouses hold 600,000 gauze bandages, 42,000 rubber gloves, 6,000 IV bags, 6,000 oxygen masks. That's just for starters. Tell me, Mel, what is it that draws people like you into rescue work? Is it some sense of destiny? Beats me, but I'd sure be interested in knowing if you find out.

Don't start. I've just been informed we're now under a watch, and the Bahamas are up to a warning. By 6 a.m. tomorrow, we'll know if evacuation is going to be necessary.

All right, so this is it, folks. We will feel this storm. Just a question. Now, Hart.

So if you haven't prepared your family yet, now's the time. All right, good luck. Let's go.

And take everything that's not nailed down inside. A projectile and break your windows, or even worse. Brian, why did it take you so long to call a staff meeting? I've been begging you for days.

So I brought along my wife, Carmen, as a peace offering. She'll work the helpline. Hi, how are you?

Category 2, huh? Yeah. I'm afraid it could go as high as a three or even a four.

Well, you said you wanted to be in news, right? This is why we all got in, so... Maybe you never intended to be a combat reporter. Certainly wasn't my first choice, but it looks like we've all been drafted, so...

Since it's the weekend, we're already downstaffed as far as I'd like to go. Everybody is needed, here and in the field. We go on to continuous coverage at 5 a.m.

tomorrow morning, Sunday. Now, considering the gravity of the storm, I wouldn't blame anybody who wanted to hunker down with their family. You're invited to do that here at the station. Bring along your kids, your parents, your Doberman pinchers, whatever you hold dear.

As far as I'm concerned, this is my family. So I hope you'll decide to stay. Could Brian tell us what a Category 4 would do? Well, you have to expect massive destruction, damage to virtually every building, and if it really gets that high, and that's a big if, everything is secondary to loss of life.

You can expect winds of 140 miles per hour to push a 20-foot storm surge onshore, causing danger of drowning. And even inland, away from the water, people are knocked out of danger. Everything is a potential missile. If you can look out your window and see a tree, imagine it coming right at you. And after the storm, no power, no water, no communication, no way to get around.

I hope I'm scaring you. Um, twisted street signs, overturned cars and boats. Forget him.

The Hurricane Andrew story continues. Starring Ted Wass and Bryn Thayer. Morning. Hey.

You know, on a normal day, I think after college I'll open a Walmart or something. But on days like this, I'm positive I want to join the Merchant Marines. What do you think about them?

Eating. All my stuff's gone. Think clear thoughts and you'll never go hungry. The diet's here for my mom.

Great. We are evacuating everybody to a safer hospital. There's no room for me in the ambulance, but I'll come as soon as I can. This is the Hewlin home.

Please leave a message after the beep. And if this is Robin, get yourself home immediately. We'll be back by noon. All right.

Let's haul it. We'll be stuck in traffic. Carolyn! Oh, honey, we're not going in the water.

I'm just going to brush my teeth. Step it up, Teresa. We got to go. Mommy, can I run one later with the hair? I should have the FTV.

Uh-huh. Girls, what did you not know? Masking tape doesn't do anything to protect your windows.

You must cover them with shutters. So, hopefully your windows are good and ready. More in.

The Emergency Operations Center wants to remind pet owners that shelters are not equipped to take pets. So, be sure to leave your animals a two to three day supply of food and water and confine them to an inside room. Oh, no way, North Cross. What do you say, Bud-Bitch? Shall we report him to the SPCA?

Sock in at least a week's supply of food, drinking water, and check the batteries for your flashlights and radios. What? It's...

...charm. I don't know what I'm doing. I don't know what I'm doing.

I don't know what I'm doing. I don't know what I'm doing. I don't know what I'm doing.

I don't know what I'm doing. Well, it's better, but five or six flips of masking tape across the window all the way to the edge helps keep people from rattling around too much in a good wind. That's what Marie and I do. Miss Oaken, preparing for the storm? Yeah.

Vince, could you and Marco come over and tape my windows? I'm afraid young Marco is AWOL. He took off early yesterday, even before we woke up. I never had kids for that very reason.

So... Come on. George? Yeah?

George? Yeah? Could you help us with, uh, Carla's turn? Slip 24? Yeah, in a minute.

Well, where's our boat? I don't know. About four or five stations to be evacuated. Chief, pick up line three.

Menendez. Oh, my Lord, Carla. Listen, I'll get the Coast Guard on it for you.

You get a hold of yourself. Hold up, I need to talk to him personally. Listen to me, Carla. You go on hold now, and drop a fine, when you get there.

Must evacuate immediately. All people must evacuate. You are in an evacuation area. You are in a hurricane area.

You must evacuate immediately. You are in an evacuation area. Attention! This is an evacuation area of a hurricane. You must evacuate immediately.

You are in an evacuation area. You are in a hurricane area. You must evacuate immediately.

You are in an evacuation area. You are in a hurricane evacuation area. You must evacuate immediately. All persons must evacuate immediately.

This is a hurricane evacuation area. All persons must evacuate immediately. But get where you're going as quickly as possible. I-95 and the Turnpike are parking lots, as one billion people in South Florida head away from the coast in sinking shelter.

Alright, since you guys are here, we're gonna miss the network. Come on! North Miami Beach High Street, 1474 East 967th Street. Greek Orthodox Church, 12501.67. Believe me, Tricia, I wouldn't be taking us to Glenna's house if you weren't really far inland, out of the evacuation zone.

They're not waiting their turn. World's full of them, honey. Oh, right.

The cops got them. To facilitate a full evacuation, the police have now mobilized units to escort the homeless to various shelters. If you have a hurricane question, our helpline volunteers are standing by at 555-6363. That's 555-6360. I've seen stupid and I've been stupid, but this dude's all...

They're collecting toys. Excuse me! Excuse me!

May I use your phone, please? Thanks. But the Red Cross will advise us of new shelter openings so we can keep you posted.

Could someone with the state please get a hold of Tallahassee and get the toll taken off the turnpike? Thanks for calling, Paulette. And now to continue with the news. We've just received word that an air force reconnaissance tells us the eye is tightening and wind speed is increasing. This means Andrew is moving faster and could reach Miami sooner.

Leslie, I've got a story for you. 30 problem pregnancies dropping barometric pressure may induce labor. What is it? My son is just two. I mean, Ron's great with him, but he's not a mother.

You know, I should be with him. I honestly don't know what I'd do. Better take a little time to think about it.

Reports from the Bahamas of 145 mph sustained winds means that Hurricane Andrew, as feared, has been upgraded to Category 4. And a tornado watch now goes into effect for Central and South Florida through 11 a.m. tomorrow. By sundown, it is expected over 1,000 residents will crowd this shelter to receive food and medical attention from the Red Cross and solace from each other as they wait and wonder if Andrew is tearing their world apart.

It's so cool to see you. It's a show and it takes store. And your voice, it'll be giant. You said you knew how.

Hey, the engine won't start. Maybe it's just shy. Why don't you look the other way?

Hey, it's not funny Marco. That damn hurricane probably... Alright, alright, chill out, chill out. Well, radio the Coast Guard. The battery's dead.

Damn it, Marco. Hey, fella, calm down, all right? Well, signal with a flare or a flashlight or something. You got one?

I know many of you are out there trying to make preparations you couldn't get to earlier. But please, you must take shelter as soon as possible. Leave the highways open for emergency vehicles.

This is going to be a major storm for South Florida. We can't predict the exact time and place of landfall, but we can safely say that none of us have seen anything of this magnitude in our lifetime. If you're in an evacuation zone and still at home, build mountains of furniture.

Something your family can climb onto in case water floods your head. Grounding is a danger. Pile chairs on top of beds or sofa as high as you can. If you have any flotation devices around, have them handy. Light jackets, children's water waves, an old inner tube could pop off.

Some mattresses float and sticky-pump mattresses. Whether or not you're in an evacuation zone, it's important to have a mattress you can get under to protect your family from falling debris. Marta?

Good point, Brian. Now, if you haven't dragged a mattress into your safe space, please take care of it now. In the Kendall area, another shelter has opened at Southwest Elementary School. You're on break for at least 30 minutes. Don't talk to anyone.

You're getting scratchy. We'll be updating you on the shelter situation as they open. Dammit, Cal. I don't care how good that footage is. Just get your butt into a shelter.

All right. I'll be there soon. Soon nothing. People are going to die tonight, Cal, and you're a good candidate.

Brian? The roof looks bad. I think I can go out and clear the gutters again though.

Hey, don't talk. I wouldn't go out Emilio. If I don't, the roof might go. I need to take a look at their arm. I'm going to have to leave.

Ah. You all are going to die. Emergency generator must have kicked in. For now, Metro-Dade Fire Department is responding to an increasing number of emergency calls, 50% more than normal, amid worries about how long they can continue to send their finest into harm's way.

Back to you at the studio. Alright, we're clear. Come on, let's go back out there.

Hey, hey, hey, where do you think you're going? There's scale force winds out there. Don't worry about it, we'll take cover soon.

He was in there. For God's sake, Scal, that doesn't make me immune. Just give me another hand, okay? And then I'll buy you the towel so you can throw it at me. We're looking at the latest radar graphic.

God, so this is Camille all over again. I will come ashore just south of Miami. Maybe we should go to a shelter now before it's too late.

Protect yourself as best you can now. There is extreme danger of flying debris. Do not try to navigate the roads.

Let's go. No music. No. A lull in the storm probably means the storm is only half through, so stay tight in your bathroom or closet.

Now, the WTVJ staff, for its own safety, is moving into a reinforced concrete bunker. We feel it's the safest room in the building. Now is the time for you to go to the safest room in your home. Yes, ma'am.

Emilio, make sure those families downstairs are all away from the doors and the windows, all right? All right. We're protected in a windowless room which is where you should be too.

You should be protected by a bathroom. I'm going to the bathroom. Like Brian Northcott said.

How is Robin right there? He likes noises. Don't be scared, Carol. Don't be scared.

We're safe. I suppose. Is that possible, Dad?

No. No, it will not. I'd like to go out.

There's a flashlight just for you, alright? The National Hurricane Center is bracing itself against the first lands of a high wind... ...with gusting from 50 to 80 miles an hour, slam against the Florida coast.

Andrew passed over the Bahamas several hours ago, packing winds of 150 miles an hour and claiming at least four. For God's sakes, Bruce, would you get yourself in the bunker downstairs? I lost Cal on the teletrack after Cutler Ridge. I'm gonna kill him.

No, I'll fire him. Now, come on, let's go. Emilio wants this whole area shut down.

No, please. I couldn't live with myself if he called here and there was no one to guide him. All right, I'll tell you what.

We'll take turns till he calls in. I'll take the first 20 minutes right now. Come on, let's go. You take a break.

You're Shelly from Cutler Ridge. How can I help? My husband is killing me.

It's the pressure. I can't stand it. Is it all right if I open the window just to crack? No. Don't you dare open a door or a window.

Are you in a windowless room or a closet now? No, I have to get out of the closet. My dogs are driving me crazy.

Shelly, get back into that closet now, with or without your dogs. I guess. Thank you.

Shelley brings up an important point. Don't leave your safe space. Just go.

The camera's jury rigged. It might get us one more live shot on a shelter. Can we try a piece now?

Maybe me, supported by a punk network, would love it. You know what your problem is? Too young to realize you can die young.

Here, I forget. Stairlocks. We gotta get to a shelter. Where the hell are we? Gotta get that cellular call to order.

We're gonna have to pick up that post. Together. Our guys aren't safe out there another minute.

Okay, attention please. We cannot respond to any call for help for at least three or four hours, all right? We have a child. Possible concussion in country walk. Sorry, too dangerous out there.

Sorry, Doug. Nothing on Robin from the Coast Guard yet. I'm not with a kid now.

Listen, if there's anything I can do... Not. I'll hang with you. Thanks.

That's very good. Carla? Carla? Carla? Carla?

Carla? Carla? Carla?

Carla? Carla? Carla? Carla? Carla?

Carla? Carla? Carla?

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

I'm sorry Nurse! All everyone to the insertion portal. We will be back in a minute. The world changes in the space that we live in. So, please, let us know about your future success.

This is the only way to make a difference. I love you. I love you so much.

I really love you all. I miss you. I love you.

I love you. I love you. I love you.

I love you. Okay. What you're hearing is roof tiles coming off.

Get your family under the mattress now. Hello? Good work, Brian.

I get some rest. Good job. Gotcha. Southwest 152nd Avenue.

He's nowhere near a shelter. There's even nowhere he lives. Yes.

Cal! Maybe you've got to get us to a shelter. We can't even see. Okay.

Okay, look, you're, um, you're coming up to the turnpike overpass. You're going great. We can't see the road. You're on it. Just go.

Ruth, if anything happens to Nick and me, it's my fault, okay? Listen to me. Hey. I want to tell you I'm sorry for everything I put you through.

Sure. Bye, Al. I really love you.

You deserve way better than me. Shut up, Carol. You need to shut up! Ruth!

Ruth, wait! It's at it. There!

It's gonna get a lot worse before it gets better. Got to hold that door. Worse before it gets better.

All right. Do you have a family? No. My wife left me a long time ago with this kind of stupidity. I'm sorry.

With winds of 164 miles an hour, our radar on the roof has gone out and we are on backup generators. So we intend to keep you informed throughout the duration of this storm. Dr. Sheets, I can see West Palm Beach radar from here, and you're right on the northern edge of the eyewall.

It's just us now. The other station's lesser signal. Hang in there. We got a live feed from Cal. From under an overpass at SW 152nd Avenue, my photographer Dick Freakley has rigged his camera over the back seat so that we can continue broadcasting and avoid flying debris driven by fierce winds.

Even with the shelter of the overpass, I'm sure you can see the shaking of the van. I hear the howling of the wind, and I can only wonder, Brian, at how the rest of Miami is faring through this nonstop onslaught. As roofing and ceilings are likely to be loose.

We really don't know what the area looks like, but our crews will be on the road soon to let you know how we survive the night. All right, sweetie. The wind is gone. We're going out now. Did Robin come back?

No. No, he couldn't. But I'm sure he found shelter. Oh, and let Mommy go first.

Oh, some of our things are probably broken. But whatever they are, we can fix them, right? Not this day. Oh, I'm just going to pop your meter, ma'am, in case the electricity comes back on.

Right. Did Daddy die? Did Robin die?

We have to believe that they're all gone. I mean, we're alive, right? They have to be, too. Who's going to clean up this mess?

I don't know. I don't know, God. Benno? Benno, come on. The new neighbors, come on.

Wait, Carolyn, you stay right here. Will you watch her? Good.

Help! I need help here. Even now, I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do it.

I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do it. I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do it. I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do it.

oh he's alive but we got to help next Station 34, QSK. For the rescue, respond to a 341, Chess Paines, 10750 SW 211th Street, 10750 SW 211th Street. Station 34, QSL 10750 SW 211 Street.

Rescue 34 is responding. Doesn't look as bad as I thought. A couple of downed trees, those doors look pretty good beatin'. Did you get your wife?

Yeah. Right there? Mel, if you go near my house!

With all this trash, you can bet there'll be some roofs missing as I come. I might be able to get the audio to work. Not sure about the video.

He nearly died last night. All I can think about is audio and video. What kind of warp mentality is that? Hey, he didn't die.

We're just hearing from our reporter Leslie Ames at the federal courthouse. From here it looks like we got off pretty light. I mean this isn't at all what we'd expect from category four winds. I see only one tree knocked down and some pounds...

This just doesn't add up. Balls coming in and nothing like what we're seeing out there. Get that chopper back in here.

ASAP please. Sorry, ma'am. We can't let you go in there.

No, they're not separating me from him again. They're not. This has to be 143rd Street.

Man, it's got to be around here someplace. I'm going to be a little bit more of this. I'm going to be a little bit more of this. I'm going to be a little bit more of this.

I'm going to be a little bit more of this. Hey, stop! You're out to play farther inland.

Besides, Karma's a pistol! No. Nothing.

Channel 4 News. Help! Oh, baby.

Oh, baby, I love you. Are you all right? Oh, thank God. I'm going to flatten you when I see you.

You put us... They're both fine. What's it like?

It's all Brian said a four would do. Maybe worse. I'm going back on.

After 22 hours on the air, the hell you are. Tell Cal I want his audio right now. All right, Cal, I'm going to put you up to the control room and get you on the air. All right.

Ed, no, no. Ed. Brian, you've done more than could be expected.

Now let somebody else carry the load. Come on. I don't remember, Ed. Was it you or me who hired him?

This is Cal Kessler at a shopping center where walls and windows are blown out as though there's been a war. In fact, a war zone is the first thing that comes to mind as the National Guard arrive in force to preserve order. We have no word of loss of lives yet, but loss of everything else is painfully apparent in the eyes of the survivor.

...Demonstration. Who will handle our lives? Chief Wallington, I'm gonna start the coast and work inland. We'll get a better idea once we're up.

Hey! What are you doing? I can't believe that.

Broad daylight. I guess a few tears will be spilled over those. A lot of roof damage.

I don't know. It's okay. We didn't do that bad.

Oh, my God. Menendez to base. Got a major catastrophe here. Major.

It's going to take a while. And listen, Doug still doesn't know about his family. Has Mel come back in? Uh, Spence, Tuck's neighborhood was so torn up, he couldn't even tell what street was his.

But no Hewlin's on the fatality list so far. That's good. Thanks.

Remember I took obedience, not word of guidance. I'm going to play a song called The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The What's the rest of the damn number? 112-149-what?

112's not even an exchange. For God's sake, 112-149-what? It's 11-21-49. It's her birthday.

It's Carla's birthday. Oh, she must not know what number she's dialing from. I don't think so.

Please, girls. What do you need, Doug? Robin's birthday.

Just received word that Red Cross is opening additional shelters at Southwest 107th Avenue in Killian with 10 boats. Where did your family come from? Homestead.

Everything's gone. It's all gone. My house, my car, my mother's house, school, all gone.

Stories like this are all too common. This morning after the winds let up, hundreds of survivors like these sought refuge in this already crowded shelter. But while the Red Cross is unable to accommodate everyone on the outside trying to get in, they are directing people to other emergency shelters and discouraging people from returning to dangerous exposed conditions. Incidentally, this shelter was rumored to have collapsed last night.

As you can see, it weathered the furies intact. Excuse me, may I talk with you? Will somebody please help me move my car?

Hey, hey you, I need a lift. Where are you going? Home today. That's on our list.

Do you mind if we film you going back into your home? If that's what it takes. The first aerial view of the county shows widespread devastation of Homestead Air Force Base and the area nearby.

That doesn't necessarily mean you're home, Wend. I worked at the base. North Miami Beach High School, 1247 North...

It's not worth it. You work all your life for what? I try.

You tell me that. Why try at all? Tell me! Because you're nothing else we can be. You know we're just too small to do anything for you.

Yeah, I guess so. I, uh... Do you want us to give you a lift back? Here you go everybody, Sherry, Paul, and Rob. We'll upgrade it tomorrow.

The next 48 hours will be critical as Andrew heads into the Gulf of Mexico, where a hurricane watch is posted from northern Florida to Texas. We got President Bush coming in at Opelika Airport. Who's close? Cal. No, not Cal.

He's overextended and not that politically savvy. Oh, he's closest and we got blocked highways everywhere. Alright, I guess he deserves a break.

I'm gonna interview the president. That's Nash. Oh, God.

I look awful, man. I think there's a shaver in there. Yes, yes, yes, yes.

Tell Mary Kay and the kids not to worry. She can't call me back. I'm going back out to search for victims.

I can hardly hear you. Bye. Bye-bye.

Bye. Bad connection. Why doesn't Daddy rescue us? He will soon, but I'm sure soon.

After we eat, we're going to read our stories. See? The books are drying out over there.

If you have a missing loved one, be sure to contact... Shouldn't we make extra? I'll pass them out. Sure.

Anybody knows something about Marco Lieli, please let your station know. Marco Lieli, your parents need to hear from you. Faster, faster!

They've got razors at the airport, I'm not going on without a shave. Look at me, I look like a pumper. Do you think they've got irons at the airport?

As President Bush prepares to survey the devastated areas around Miami, Florida, we'll go live to Cal Kessler of our station WTVJ. How's it looking down there, Cal? Well, the President is in for a shock. There are parts of this area that have been ravaged perhaps beyond anything we've seen this century, and ironically, there are areas that are virtually untouched. Here's the President now.

Sorry! Oh, honey, I'll fix it. Right?

Let's go fix it. When's it going to be our turn to be saved? It's not like that, honey. There's other people worse off than we were. They can't be.

We are going to save ourselves. We know how. Mrs. Hewlin? Did you find anyone?

A couple dead, a few injured. Has anyone been by? The fire department? The police?

The National Guard? No. No one. The death toll has mounted to 10 with the discovery of three more bodies in Florida City, still unidentified.

We'll have more on that as soon as it's available. Florida Power and Light has been able to restore power to thousands of homes throughout this long day, but as darkness falls, many parts of Dade and Kendall remain without electricity. Please be extremely careful of your conserving batteries by using candles. Telephone service to hardest hit residential areas may take several days to restore, and Southern Bell asks your patience while lines for critical services are restored first.

I think you! Runners! Runners in the alley!

Watch your step! Runners! Runners!

Get out of here! Thank you. It is a nightmare this morning on major thoroughfares serving South Dade and the Keys.

Traffic backups as long as nine miles are reported this morning as some 750,000 evacuated residents return to their homes while emergency and humanitarian vehicles try to get through. Please, if you don't absolutely need to be on the road, go home. Sightseers are inhibiting rescue efforts of the police, fire department, and medical units. TVJ Helpline, this is Carmen. I hear you calling out missing persons.

My son, he's 13. He was out on a boat missing since Friday. Robin Pulin. Please tell him his family's fine and he can call us on...

555-9814. Let me check our list. Maybe he's called in.

I'm sorry, nothing yet. Thank you, Carmen. Robin? Nothing.

Carolyn! Carolyn, your daddy's here! Sweetheart, I'm sorry I couldn't be here.

Forgive me? I love you very much. Are you going to save us now?

I have to go back to work. There are hurt people everywhere. Couldn't you at least save Robin? Well, if I knew where he was, I'd be there.

I've got everybody looking for him. Police, the Coast Guard, the Red Cross. We're fine. Okay?

I'll be back. I just keep thinking if I talk to him. Oh, would you just check? Check. Okay.

The rest of the country can only wait and watch while coastal Louisiana braces itself for Andrew's wins. More than a million are expected to evacuate New Orleans and the coastal lowlands, which were hardest hit by Hurricane Audrey, which claimed 390 lives in 1957. Thank you. For local news, Salvation Army will open a soup kitchen in the Cutler Ridge Mall at noon. Dade County United Way needs volunteers.

Please call the Red Cross if you know the whereabouts of Casey Kirkpatrick, Robin Hewlin, Antonio Martinez, or Stephanie Cowell. I'm going to be very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, Your house is around the corner. Might as well get it over with. Not a scratch.

Next. We'll have to be quick if you want to make network. Here we go, Nick.

Excuse me, Doctor, can we talk about fatalities? Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, Charlie? Charlie, are you in there?

Okay, then try and find out what's left of the International House of Pancakes. It's about six blocks south of there. Okay, great.

sent their sitters to a memory of violent hours. And as discouraging as the prospect of rebuilding might seem at this post-re- I... I... I'm not gonna play fast and loose with my life again.

Yes, you will, Gal. You love it. You're hooked.

Go home or you're fired. Please. I want to go up in the chopper, see the horror myself. I don't need a burned-out meteorologist. I need a bright-eyed, spanking clean one tomorrow morning.

Brian, are you afraid to see what became of your house? No. Oh, yes.

I don't know why I should be luckier than anybody else. Hey, if mine's okay, I'll feel guilty, too. But, boy, I want it to be. Come on, Carmen and I will give you a ride, all right?

It's all right. I have my car. No, you don't. Actually, the news appropriated your car.

I didn't want to wake you. I'll meet you up front, alright? Alright, fine. Give me a Sprout.

Don't say why me. Say thanks. We made it.

That boat is a terrible laugh. Oh shh, tell the boat we can get another boat. Here are the maps.

Governor Childs said National Guard troops strength was increased to 4,500, both as a protection against lawlessness and to provide as much humanitarian assistance as possible in the affected streets and neighborhoods. Area hospitals are receiving welcome support with volunteer doctors and nurses arriving by bus from Palm Beach and Broward counties. Some are coming through the offices of organizations. ...their first relief today when by military airdrop food finally reached rural areas west of Homestead.

Where some communities were cut off from ground transportation due to continuing high water from the storm surge. The statistics are mind-boggling with 35,000 homes destroyed, 50,000 damaged leaving more than 200,000 homeless. Many homes were inadequately insured allowing people left homeless by the storm.

FEMA is pledging $57 million in immediate assistance, another $10 billion for long-range... The U.S. Department of Agriculture today released figures which put the loss of crops at $500 million... ...with two years required... ...housing camps were destroyed and who FEMA ruled...

...will not soon forget the heart-felt outpouring... of citizens and volunteer organizations across the nation. One of our own received special recognition as Miami's Mayor Xavier Suarez pronounced September 10th Bryan Norcross Day for outstanding services to the community.

The National Guard are opening two additional tent cities to accommodate 200,000 whose homes were destroyed by Hurricane Andrew. And the struggle goes on in the southern part of Dade County. The debris, the broken homes, the broken dreams.

Andrew's scars will remain for years. The cost in dollars continues to rise, now over $20 billion. The worst natural disaster the United States has ever known. But with the storm came a new spirit.

In this community of different cultures and different languages, people met their neighbors for the first time. Neighborhoods faced Andrew together, and these bonds will last a lifetime. In spite of the horrible destruction, Miami is booming with the biggest tourist season ever.

Andrew's lesson is there for all of us to learn. Living along the coast means living with hurricanes, just as other parts of the country live with their climates and natural disasters. Homes and buildings that are well prepared survive intact.

If every community prepares for the worst, no one should go through the horrors of Hurricane Andrew again.

Transcript for:The Hurricane Andrew Story

Transcript for:
The Hurricane Andrew Story