The Politics of Disaster University Press of Florida Florida A&M University, Tallahassee Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton Florida Gulf Coast University, Ft. Myers Florida International University, Miami Florida State University, Tallahassee New College of Florida, Sarasota University of Central Florida, Orlando University of Florida, Gainesville University of North Florida, Jacksonville University of South Florida, Tampa University of West Florida, Pensacola This page intentionally left blank The Politics of Disaster Tracking the Impact of Hurricane Andrew David K. Twigg University Press of Florida Gainesville · Tallahassee · Tampa · Boca Raton Pensacola · Orlando · Miami · Jacksonville · Ft. Myers · Sarasota Copyright 2012 by David K. Twigg All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. This book is printed on Glatfelter Natures Book, a paper certified under the standards of the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC). It is a recycled stock that contains 30 percent post-consumer waste and is acid-free. 17 16 15 14 13 12 6 5 4 3 2 1 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Twigg, David K. The politics of disaster : tracking the impact of Hurricane Andrew / David K. Twigg. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-8130-4188-9 (alk. paper) 1. Hurricane Andrew, 1992—Political aspects. 2. Hurricanes— Political aspects—Florida. 3. Natural disasters—Political aspects— Florida. 4. Disaster relief—Political aspects—Florida. I. Title. HV6361992.F6 T95 2012 363.34'92209759—dc23 2012009927 University Press of Florida 15 Northwest 15th Street Gainesville, FL 32611-2079 http://www.upf.com This book is dedicated to my wife, Rita, and the rest of my family, who have supported me in this endeavor as well as in my previous undertakings. It is also dedicated to the memories of the victims and to the survivors of hurricanes and other disasters and to the many American heroes who came to their aid. This page intentionally left blank Contents List of Figures ix List of Tables xi Preface and Acknowledgments xiii 1. Disasters as Political Challenges 1 2. Florida Legislators: Locally Elected State Officials 17 3. The Kaleidoscope of Florida Politics 45 4. Executive Branch Effects? 59 5. Andrew’s First Cavalry: State Officials Respond 70 6. In the Eye: Incumbents from Severely Damaged Cities 107 7. On the Edge: Incumbents from Less Severely Damaged Cities 132 8. Out of the Eye: Incumbents from the Least Severely Damaged Cities 144 9. Disasters as Political Challenges and Opportunities 156 Appendix: Methodology 171 Bibliography 181 Index 203 This page intentionally left blank Figures 1. Composite images of Hurricane Andrew, 1992 / 3 2. Andrew’s eye makes landfall, Dade County, Florida / 11 3. Andrew’s eye in relation to Dade municipalities / 12 4. Map of municipalities that suffered damage from Andrew / 13 ix