Records on Tropical Weather including Tropical Storm Hugo, Hurricane Andrew, and Hurricane Iniki

The materials in FOIA 1999-0727-F [1], 1999-0727-F [2], and 1999-0727-F [3] are a selective, not necessarily all inclusive, body of documents responsive to the topic of the FOIA. Researchers should consult the archivist about related materials. FOIA 1999-0727-F [1] contains materials concerning Tropical Storm Hugo. On September 13, 1989, the storm, the sixth one of the 1989 Atlantic season, developed into a hurricane and struck the French Caribbean islands of Montserrat and Guadeloupe on September 16. Increasing in speed, it slammed into the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on September 17-18, 1989 with sustained winds over 130 mph and gusting up to 220 mph. The storm caused extensive property damage, especially on the island of St. Croix, and then proceeded to come ashore on the United States mainland at Charleston, South Carolina on September 21-22, 1989. The storm continued inland into North Carolina leaving widespread destruction. President Bush declared the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, South Carolina and parts of North Carolina federal disaster areas. This FOIA documents White House response to the natural disaster. Included are letters, memoranda, and reports providing information about all aspects of federal coordination of disaster relief efforts. Of particular importance are weekly situation reports outlining all emergency and relief activities undertaken by the federal authorities in the weeks after the storm. Much of the material in this FOIA was created by or for the Federal Emergency Management Agency. FOIA 1999-0727-F [2] contains material related to Hurricane Andrew. The storm slammed into the Florida coast just south of Miami, Florida on August 24-25, 1992, causing massive amounts of damage especially in Homestead, Florida. Thousands of homes and businesses were destroyed leaving the area crippled and without electricity or water. The storm blew across the Florida peninsula and remained a hurricane as it moved north in the Gulf of Mexico. It then moved ashore in Southern Louisiana and passed just east of Lafayette, causing severe damage in the area, though not as widespread as in South Florida. At the time, Hurricane Andrew proved the most costly and damaging storm in modern history. This FOIA documents all aspects of executive branch reaction to the storm. Included are reports, letters, memos, agenda, lists, and printed materials providing detailed information about the activities of the Bush Administration leading up to and after the storm made landfall in Florida and Louisiana. The storm situation reports provide extensive information about relief efforts and damage assessments. Much material in the FOIA documents the coordination of volunteer efforts to provide relief to the storm's victims. The Office of National Service, in particular, interacted with volunteer agencies and with We Will Rebuild, the primary volunteer and relief clearinghouse for the effected areas. Correspondence documents the appointment of Alvah Chapman to head We Will Rebuild and provides detailed information about the focus of relief efforts and activities in South Florida. FOIA 1999-0727-F [3] contains material related to Hurricane Iniki. The hurricane struck the Hawaiian Islands on September 11, 1992 with sustained winds of 145 miles per hour and gusts up to 175 miles per hour. The storm caused extensive damage along low-lying coastal areas, especially on the island of Kauai, where most of the island's 50,000 residents were evacuated to higher ground. The President declared parts of Hawaii a disaster area on September 12, 1992. This small FOIA documents executive branch reaction to the hurricane. Included are letters, memos, and reports providing information about storm damage and federal reaction to the situation. The FOIA also includes some information about Typhoon Omar which struck Guam on August 28, 1992. Read less