They are the trouble in paradise covering up to 600 miles bearing winds of up to 155 miles per hour and likely to spawn tornadoes. They can put islands underwater level cities and kill thousands of people. Only one or two hurricanes hit U.S. soil each year but when they do the repercussions are enormous. Widespread panic and staggering loss of life and property come with them often made worse when people foolishly think that the calm of the eye of the storm indicates that danger has passed. HURRICANES reveals how scientists have made great strides understanding and predicting these storms in the 20th century. But as the population in America"s coastal areas increases their threat remains undiminished. By profiling three awesome storms the "big one" in Miami in 1926 the New England Hurricane of 1938 and Hurricane Andrew in Florida in 1992 a chilling portrait of nature"s destructive power emerges.