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Country Walk Residents Watch Isaac, Remember Hurricane Andrew

SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE (CBS4) - Many in South Dade are preparing for Isaac with another storm in mind. The community of Country Walk marked the 20th Anniversary of Hurricane Andrew Friday with a party. The hurricane devastated that community, but it has since rebuilt.

Organizers called the party a "celebration of survival."

Ory Dawes of the Homeowners Association recalled the days after Andrew.

"There was so much good there really was, neighbors helping each other, strangers helping each other, people that may have lived next to each other and never knew each other were helping and it brought the community together there's no question," said Dawes.

Neighbor Selva Joseph agreed, saying, "Everybody was really wonderful. It brings out the best in people when you go through something like this."

Those who lost their homes in Andrew said they look at storms differently now.

"I don't take a storm for granted, I always prepare," said Dawes.

She said she'd already bought food and water ahead of Isaac.

So has Trish Hyman-Mozealous who lost her home in Andrew. Hyman-Mozealous who moved out of Country Walk after Andrew, came back for the party.

"Today was strange for me," she said, adding, "I remember coming to all the meetings here after the hurricane so today just knowing that I was coming and it was about Andrew it was kind of weird."

But she said she misses the community that came together after the storm. She said it changed all of them.

"It's something you never in your wildest dreams imagine going through and you never ever, ever get over or forget."

 

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