It was a storm for the record books. A hurricane survivors will never forget.
Many of the people who lived through Hurricane Andrew 20 years ago came to the Deering Estate at Cutler to hear Local 10's Hurricane Specialist Max Mayfield explain the lessons learned. The special event was held on the site many considered ground zero for the storm.
PHOTOS: Deering Estate after Hurricane Andrew
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The Richmond Cottage, built at the turn of the century, was nearly destroyed by a storm surge of 16 feet and wind gusts more than 150 mph.
The windows of the stone house on the property were plastered with seaweed, dead fish were found on the second floor and outside, Royal Palm trees were ripped from the earth.
Max was one of the first to arrive to assess the damage and he had to hop over a wall because debris and canoes blocked the main gated entrance.
He was a meteorologists with the National Hurricane Center at the time.
During Wednesday's special event reflecting on the 20th anniversary of the storm, Max reminded the more than 100 people who came that Andrew hit during a season that was below average for storm activity.
It was a reminder that you never know when the next one, will be the big one, which is why we must always be prepared.
A message many in attendance said they would be taking home to their families.