ABSTRACT
On August 24, 1992, Hurricane Andrew passed directly over the Turkey Point power plant site in Florida, leaving in its wake a true testimony to the behavior of well-designed industrial facilities. The Turkey Point site consists of two fossil-fired units and two nuclear-powered units. The site saw wind speeds of 145 mph, with gusts of over 175 mph. The “class 1” nuclear structures sustained practically no damage. Other structures sustained some damage, although relatively minor in light of the extremely high wind speeds [INPO/NRC]:
The plant lost offsite power for five days. The emergency diesel-generators automatically picked-up the essential loads. Two days after the storm hit, diesel fuel was being delivered to the site by truck.
Offsite communications were lost for four hours.
A 100,000-gallon water tower collapsed, destroying portion of the fire protection piping. The failure of the elevated water tank was attributed to a wind-borne missile that probably struck compression struts or tension rods causing the tank support column to fail.
Part of the plant lighting was made inoperable.
Electrical conduit failed when the containment vent stack lifted 3/8”.
Water pipes were bent and dented when struck by flying debris.
Several sheet metal buildings were damaged.
