Hurricane Andrew emerged from a tropical wave in the Atlantic on August 16, 1992, quickly strengthening in the warm waters of the Bahamas before making landfall in Florida. On August 24, it struck Homestead as a Category 5 hurricane, the strongest classification on the Saffir-Simpson scale, with recorded winds of 165 mph. The hurricane and its aftermath led to unprecedented destruction across neighborhoods in South Florida, especially in the city of Homestead and the nearby areas of Key Largo and Miami. The hurricane's eye passed directly over Homestead, unleashing torrential rains and storm surges that devastated the landscape. Homes were obliterated, leaving nearly 180,000 households damaged or destroyed. In the wake of the storm, local infrastructure suffered extensive damage, with critical facilities rendered inoperable, including hospitals and shelters. Thousands of people were left homeless, highlighting the vulnerability of the region to such natural disasters. Recovery efforts commenced immediately, but the sheer scale of damages meant long-term rebuilding was necessary, leading to significant changes in building codes and emergency management policies in Florida.

The storm was characterized by its rapid intensification and the localized impact it had on communities, which led to widespread awareness of hurricane preparedness and response. Andrew’s devastating impact led to the largest displacement of people due to a natural disaster in U.S. history at that time. The aftermath saw an outcry for better urban planning and stricter building regulations, as many homes built before the hurricane were not equipped to withstand such powerful winds. Consequently, Florida developed more stringent construction standards to enhance future storm resilience. The recovery process took years, with federal assistance and community rebuilding efforts playing a significant role in restoring the affected regions. The disaster fundamentally reshaped hurricane response strategies nationwide and led to advancements in meteorological forecasting, improving overall safety and awareness for future hurricanes.