Florida is no stranger to hurricanes — nationwide, it’s the state most often hit by these storms.
But among these hurricanes, some are far worse than others.
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For example, the Okeechobee Hurricane in 1928 is considered the deadliest in Florida’s history, killing nearly 2,000 people during its trek through the state.
However, many of the casualties from that hurricane stemmed from major flooding near Lake Okeechobee (hence the storm’s name). The Okeechobee Hurricane reached Category 4 at its peak, though that’s not the strongest a hurricane can go.
As such, there are several storms that are considered far more powerful.
According to the National Weather Service, there have only been four Category 5 hurricanes that made landfall in the U.S. since 1900:
- The Florida Keys Labor Day Hurricane (1935)
- Hurricane Camille (1969)
- Hurricane Andrew (1992)
- Hurricane Michael (2018)
Of these, the 1935 hurricane is considered the most powerful hurricane to hit Florida — as well the U.S.
As its name suggests, the storm struck late on Labor Day (Sept. 2), making landfall in the Florida Keys with a max wind speed of 185 mph (and gusts possibly exceeding 200 mph).
To put that in perspective: these are wind speeds capable of overturning cars and felling entire buildings.
The NWS reports that the depression was confirmed only a couple of days beforehand, and it strengthened quickly before reaching the Keys.
Accounts at the time say that the storm was strong enough to carry a Danish motorship over Alligator Reef, beaching it around 4 miles away. To the northeast, a steamship was also carried away by the hurricane, but miraculously, no one aboard was killed.
The same can’t be said for others, though.
In the Keys — where the vast majority of the destruction took place — hundreds of World War I veterans were working on the burgeoning Overseas Highway to connect the Keys as part of a federal jobs program, historians explain.
On the day the storm struck, a train was sent in to evacuate these veterans, but it failed to reach the work camps that were located on the Lower Matecumbe Key.
Gusts brought by the hurricane were reported to be nearly as strong as tornadoes, with tons of damage inflicted by the wind alone.
“One observer reported his house partially demolished by a wind-driven beam, 6x8 inches in section and 18 feet long, which was blown 300 yards from another building...” NWS officials said. “The lenses and 3/8-inch protecting glass of Alligator Reef Lighthouse, 135 feet above sea level, were reported to have been completely destroyed by the hurricane, and it is unlikely that this destruction could have been produced by flying debris.”
After over 12 hours, the storm moved on, curving through the Gulf into mainland Florida before ultimately dying out far to the northeast in the Atlantic.
While exact figures are murky, it’s generally agreed that over 400 died during the storm, and property damage estimates were placed at well over $6 million.
But could this strong of a hurricane happen again? News 6 Meteorologist Jonathan Kegges explains:
“This definitely could — unfortunately — happen again. The loss of life will hopefully never be matched because we can see these things coming now. The water is getting warmer and fueling stronger storms. In 2019, Hurricane Dorian tied the Labor Day hurricane for the strongest landfall on record in the Atlantic Basin when it roared ashore in the Bahamas.
Maintaining storms that strong requires a perfect environment, warm water, little shear, lack of dry air, but it has happened before and probably will happen again. There has been an alarming trend over the last half-decade or so where storms are strengthening right up until landfall, which increases the chances of something like this happening. Regardless, it’s still pretty rare for a Category 5 storm to make landfall in the U.S., let alone a 185 mph storm.”
News 6 Meteorologist Jonathan Kegges
For more on what to expect during the 2024 hurricane season in Florida, visit News 6′s hurricane page here.
And for other strange stories about Florida’s history, head to News 6′s Florida Fables page here.