When the noise became unbearable to our already stressed psyches, we moved into the safety of the hallway. We stayed there from about 5 to 6 a.m., until we fell asleep. When the road died down, I was relieved that the beast was gone and the worst seemed to be over. I moved back to bed and slept, physically exhausted and emotionally drained.

At 11 a.m., I went outside for the first time to the grey, wet and devastating day. I was in shock at the destruction that had occurred: Trees were uprooted and scattered as if they were leaves blown about by an autumn gust of wind. Power lines and traffic lights were down everywhere, or hanging very low. Nothing would ever be the same.

I tried to phone my parents, but the phone lines were still out. I decided to drive home to see what had happened to my parents and to our house.

Miami's thoroughfares were transformed into a series of complex obstacle courses. Often the only way to get through was to drive on the wrong side of the road, or through someone's front yard. Familiar streets were virtually unrecognizable without any of their trees or signs.

Fortunately, my parents were fine and our house escaped with minor damage, although we were without power for 12 days. Relief and clean-up efforts have dominated everyone's lives ever since.

The first week post-Andrew was chaotic as government agencies tried to coordinate with each other. Price gouging was rampant--$5 for a small bag of ice, for example. The national guard moved in to enforce a strict curfew and protect residences and businesses from looting. Spray-painted messages on homes such as "you loot, we'll shoot" were common, as were insurance company names and telephone numbers.

But amid all this, the community has been brought together by the tragedy, and we have all learned to be better neighbors. Volunteerism is at the heart of the relief effort.

Volunteers are directing traffic. Singer Gloria Estefan hosted a benefit concert. Victims of hurricane Hugo, which hit South Carolina in 1989, were among the first to bring supplies. The Red Cross and the army have built tent cities to provide shelter and food for all those left homeless. Everyone is pitching in. Everyone is trying to survive.

Mary E. Rocha '95 has lived in Miami since 1984.