As a Lauderdale Native since 1991, I've lived through many hurricanes. From my lived experience, storms are becoming more powerful with increased infrastructure damage.
I remember Hurricane Wilma Category 3 hurricane on October 24th, 2005
- High winds left approximately 3,241,000 customers of Florida Power & Light without electricity, including roughly 98% of urban southeast Florida
- Agriculture sustained $1.3 billion or more in damage
- Large trees and power lines down virtually everywhere
- Structural damage was heaviest in Broward and Palm Beach counties where roof damage and downed or split power poles were noted in some areas
- High-rise buildings suffered considerable damage, mainly in the form of broken windows in southeast metro areas and Naples
- Closed Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach county school systems together serve more than 800,000 students, most of whom were expected to go back to class this week
Sources:
National Weather Service National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration
Effects of Hurricane Wilma in Florida from Wikipedia
Hurricane Wilma Forces South Fla. Schools to Close by EdWeek
Learn more about the damage Hurricane Wilma caused South Florida by National Weather Service National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration.