Hurricane Andrew from the Polar Orbiting Satellite Perspective

Abstract

Hurricane Andrew rampaged across Florida and Louisiana causing businesses and homes to be lost and leaving thousands of people homeless. This storm was a category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson scale and generated winds of 145 miles per hour (65ms^-1) with gusts exceeding 175 miles per hour (78ms^-1). Billions of dollars were needed for repairs, shelters, and public utilities. Federal organizations like the National Guard and large corporations provided communities with shelter, food and clothing. Hurricane Andrew. a storm Americans will never forget.

The National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NES-DIS) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) operates the nation's operational environmental satellite systems. The Polar Orbiting Environmental Satellites (POES) provide coverage to meet the needs of users in the government, public, private, and scientific communities for research and development, training, and educational purposes. A description of the POES system is given with example images of Hurricane Andrew, demonstrating the utility of polar orbiting satellites in tracking and anlyzing destructive storms.