The Big O

Most communities had short notice of a storm's approach in 1928. A radio message from a ship at sea; reports of devastation where it made windfall in Puerto Rico or elsewhere. That's about it. Thousands of farm hands and residents in south central Florida had no clue of the Category 5 hurricane bearing down on them.

Prime farmland surrounding Lake Okeechobee was the draw that had populated this low lying area in the Sunshine State. The sun was not shining that day in September. Okeechobee, seventh largest fresh water lake in the US is half the size of Rhode Island. Despite is vast acreage, because it is extremely shallow, average depth is only 9 feet, only a small levee protected its southern end.

Although warnings were given early in the day, the storm failed to arrive on schedule and residents returned home. Without warning this monster storm struck the area. People dove for shelter as best they were able. It would prove to be of no avail. Drenching rains overfilled the rivers and tributaries dumping into the lake. A merciless wind surge whipped the vast basin and at once, swept over the inadequate berm. Hundreds of square miles were inundated and everything in its path was swept along.

In some spots the water was 20 feet deep and people and countless animals drowned in the deluge. Many clung to whatever flotation presented. This safety net proved illusionary and often deadly. If a survivor managed to stay afloat and was carried to high ground half drowned and in the stygian darkness, the sense of relief was short lived. Collapsing ashore they soon discovered that snakes and alligators had arrived earlier. More than 2500 perished.