AWWA JAW36086

The enormously destructive Hurricane Andrew flattened southern Florida last year and left a quarter of a million people homeless. Its cost is estimated to be $20 billion--an estimated $100 million of that damage to drinking water systems. In this wide-ranging report, the author describes the frustrating range of problems water professionals faced as they began the lengthy process of recovery. The problems were legion, ranging from "uprooted" water mains and debris-laden flood control canals to useless radio communication systems disabled because antennas above the roof line had been knocked out. Bookkeeping became impossible because addresses no longer existed. Some employees were injured; many lost their homes. AWWA's Florida Section offered financial help, and water professionals from unaffected utilities lent their expertise. This inventory of problems faced and solutions discovered will provide helpful ideas to emergency planners for water utilities.