Description
Miami’s Great Hurricane
September 18, 1926
In September, 1926, a horrific Category-4 hurricane ripped across Miami – devastating the young city and reshaping its future. Without modern communication channels, many Miami citizens had no idea that this storm was heading straight for them. My father (a native of Arch Creek) was one of them.
Miami’s Great Hurricane tells the gripping true story of this cataclysmic storm — just in time for the 100th anniversary of this turning-point historical event. The disaster not only helped topple Miami’s early real estate boom, but sent the city spiraling toward the Great Depression three years ahead of the rest of the nation.
Blending history with deeply human experiences, this powerful narrative captures that one devastating day—and reveals how the city’s dogged resilience enabled Miami to tenaciously rebuild. Perfect for history enthusiasts, weather buffs, and anyone drawn to stories of survival and courage, Miami’s Great Hurricane is a must-read for anyone interested in Miami’s past, and a lasting tribute to the survivors and victims of the hurricane as the Centennial of that brutal and pivotal storm approaches.
Reviews:
“Gripping, exciting, and enveloping. . . a masterful job.” – Florida historian Seth H. Bramson.
“Energetically written and loaded with vintage photographs and illustrations, Miami’s Great Hurricane is a thrill ride – fascinating and inspiring.” – reviewer Jerry Sprout.
Filled with true survivor accounts and rare vintage images, this lavishly-illustrated book shares both the heart-breaking human cost of the killer storm and its decades-long economic impact. Grab your copy of the book here!
Fast Facts:
- The hurricane of September, 1926 was a Category 4 Hurricane, just one notch shy of the severest rating. It would become the 12th strongest and 12th deadliest storm of the entire Twentieth Century.
- Winds peaked at approximately 130 miles per hour, plastering heavy automobiles against the sides of buildings in downtown Miami and blowing people off their feet.
- The barometer dropped to an adjusted reading of 27.60, skidding the needle off the bottom of the chart ̶ the lowest ever recorded at the time in the history of the U.S. Weather Bureau.
- Almost no one in Miami was anticipating the “big blow.” Weather forecasting was less-precise than it is today, and without the advantage of digital communications, hurricane warnings circulated much more slowly.
- This single, tragic weather event altered Miami’s future forever, helping to burst its weakening real estate bubble, and propelling the city into decades of economic woe. But thanks to the courage and resilience of her citizens, Miami was able to rebuild ̶ and find new ways to thrive.
