Images of 2 devastating Hurricanes ...

[aggiesal]

The one on the left is Hurricane Andrew in 1992
The one on the right is Hurricane Irma today.

[Warren DeMontague]

1. Whoa.

[icymist]

2. Amazing.

This is Katrina size.

[Rhiannon12866]

3. Yikes!!!

[modrepub]

4. Fuel

Both of these storms will or did pass over very warm waters of the Gulf Stream. This caused substantial strengthening before land fall in Andrew's case. Wouldn't be surprised if Irma doesn't get a jolt before it hits Florida. Path will be crucial. If Irma drifts more westward and comes in through the Keys and up the west side of Florida, Miami gets spared. The right side of a Hurricane is typically the worst side of the storm in terms of winds and storm surge.

[titaniumsalute]

9. You want the eye far enough west but not too far

There may be a sweet spot that the eye is right in between Naples and Ft. Lauderdale. The right side could still cause lots of damage in west Dade and Broward but most of the real destructive winds would be over the Everglades. Too far west then Marco and Naples take a direct hit.

[SunSeeker]

5. Wow. I remember Andrew. Irma makes him look like a baby.

[woodsprite]

6. Last night on the news it said Irma is now 630 miles across

That it's the size of Texas!

[argyl]

7. And the length of Florida.

[OnlinePoker]

8. This weather broadcaster does an excellent job

He's from the Gulf coast and really explains things well on the hurricanes, their potential wind, and direction.

[dixiegrrrrl]

10. He IS good. wish there were more like him. n/t

[dalton99a]

11. +1

[aggiesal]

12. He won't stay at that station long ...

I'll be he moves to a more exposure station or some national weather service.

He's very good.