About the Book

Hurricane Andrew struck South Florida in August 1992. At the time, it was the most destructive hurricane in U.S. history. Nancy Pelletier was one of many Red Cross volunteers who felt called to do whatever they could to ease the suffering. This is the moving story of the horrendous destruction she witnessed, the grateful people she aided, and the lifelong friends she made.

From the Text

For the next three days, I could not tear myself away from the TV. The reports were horrifying. I was overwhelmed by Andrew's destruction. I found myself watching the news reports every chance I could. I couldn't sleep at night. Thoughts of what the citizens of South Florida must have been going through consumed me. Two hundred thousand homes had been destroyed. A 20-mile radius had literally been wiped off the face of the earth. Homestead was gone. Florida City was leveled. Twenty-two dead and more were yet to be found. I cried every time I watched the reports. All I could think was: What if it had happened to us?

About the Author

After working for two months with the American Red Cross on Hurricane Andrew, Nancy Pelletier continued working National Disaster Response whenever time allowed. She received the Clara Barton Award from her local chapter in St. Augustine, Florida. She also did volunteer work at a battered women's shelter, counseling victims of domestic violence. Now semi-retired, she has returned to St. Augustine, Florida and is enjoying the warm weather, sandy beaches, and fun-filled events in the beautiful, historic, oldest city in the U.S.

Contact Nancy

Email: ndpcapecod@gmail.com
Phone: 508-274-0667

Praise from Readers

I just finished reading Andrew's Angels...... and thoroughly enjoyed it. It sure gave me a better picture of all that the organizations and volunteers do during a national disaster. I don't know how you were able to stay for two months in those conditions, especially with the heat and humidity. A job well done by all, a real learning experience, and quite an adventure.
— Anne Rivard, Leominster, MA

I loved it.
— Diane Malkoski, So. Dartmouth, MA

I really enjoyed this book very much. I found it to be very interesting and informative and have a better understanding of all the hard work the volunteers do on a disaster and how grateful the victims are for their help.
— Deb Fuch, Falmouth, MA

Prior to reading Andrew's Angels: A Common Thread, I had no idea that Hurricane Andrew was the most destructive hurricane in U.S. history before Katrina. Nor did I have any idea what it was like to be a Red Cross volunteer serving in a disaster area. The author's descriptions of the damage are simply heartbreaking. And after reading about the very difficult physical conditions that both the survivors and the Red Cross workers had to endure, I know that I would never have the patience and fortitude to do what the author and so many others did to aid the suffering, traumatized residents of Homestead, Florida.

In short, this book is extremely informative about both the hurricane and the Red Cross. However, it's also deeply personal. Nancy Pelletier is obviously a very caring and generous person, whose best reward for her months of hard work and tremendous stress were a deep sense of accomplishment and the lifelong friendships she made.

I'm glad that photos were included with the text. Ms. Pelletier's descriptions of her fellow workers, their work places, and some of the damage they witnessed were precise and good, but the photos certainly add to the impact of the book. Note that they are in color in the e-book and in black and white in the print version.

— Leonore H. Dvorkin, Denver, CO

"A beautiful story that is beautifully written. Definitely worth the read."
— Marilyn Nofal, St. Augustine, FL

"Beautiful."
— Cheryl Shaw, Leominster, MA

Nancy's Top Ten Tips — When a Hurricane Is Heading Your Way

1. If at all possible, leave immediately.
2. Make copies of your driver's license and other important documents (such as your house insurance agent, his or her phone number, and your policy number) and send those copies to a friend or relative in another state. In order to obtain assistance from government and local agencies, you need to verify that you were living at the pre- disaster address. You will need Social Security numbers and/or birth certificates to identify all persons living at that address.
3. For insurance claims, you will never remember everything you had in the house. Videotape its contents and place the videotape in a safety deposit box or email it to a relative.
4. Most everything is replaceable but family photos. You can scan your photos and save them on a USB drive (a thumb drive or flash drive), which can also be placed in a safety deposit box.
5. If you have to remain in your home during the storm, prepare an interior room, like a bathroom with no windows or a hallway or closet. A mattress is good protection from flying debris.
6. Medicines: Have an adequate supply of prescription medications, as pharmacies may be closed for days or weeks. Have extra supplies of oxygen for elderly folks who rely on it.
7. Stock up on enough supplies to get you through at least three days. Have three gallons of water per person, snacks, peanut butter, bread, and other staples and place these in a large cooler.
8. A battery-operated radio could be your only connection with the outside world. Stock up on batteries, flashlights, etc.
9. Pack an emergency survival kit with bandages, antiseptics, towels, soap, blankets, and cooking kits.
10. LISTEN to your local warnings and HEED THOSE WARNINGS.

For more information on Emergency Preparedness, visit this website: redcross.org/prepare.

Editing and Publishing Services from David and Leonore H. Dvorkin

Andrew's Angels was edited by Leonore H. Dvorkin. David Dvorkin designed the cover and did all the technical work necessary for the publication of the book.

For more information about their services, click here.