Darrell Davis: The wrath of Andrew and Irma

Hurricane Andrew hit southern Florida mere months before I took my family there for a long-planned vacation.

In our rental car, while en route to the Florida Keys, we drove through the devastated area, a bunch of Saskatchewanians in awe of nature’s destruction. South of Miami and a few miles in-land in Homestead, rows of houses were completely missing. The remaining houses, or parts of the houses, had insurance companies’ claim numbers spray-painted on them. Homeowners had also spray-painted other things: “God help us!” “Thank you, Lord. He has taken our home but spared our lives.” “Andrew, go away!”

There were also warnings to looters: “Owner has guns. Lots of guns.” Or, “We’re still here, ready to protect what we have left.”

Andrew has been called the costliest disaster in U.S. history. Hurricane Harvey may surpass it as Irma, more dangerous than Andrew, moves toward the Florida coast. God help them!