1926 Miami hurricane: Florida's turning point to economic depression
The 1926 Miami hurricane also known as the "Great Miami" hurricane hit the coast of Miami and Miami Beach on September 18,1926. This hurricane caused so much damage and bad press that it put Miami into economic depression.
The hurricane came in as a blistering Category 4 with top speeds of 145 mph with a 15 foot storm surge. The Red Cross reported 373 killed and 6,381 injures. Many of these deaths and injures were because the hurricane was a direct hit on Miami and Miami Beach. When the eye of the hurricane reached Miami and Miami Beach the lull of the storm lasted 35 minutes, most residents thought the storm was over but they were mistaken. In the second phase of the storm only a few building remained intact in Miami/Miami Beach area. The Fulford Speedway was completely destroyed. The storm cost over 100 million in damages. In todays cost this hurricane would have caused 1.32 billion dollars in damages making it the most costly hurricane in history.
The hurricane came in as a blistering Category 4 with top speeds of 145 mph with a 15 foot storm surge. The Red Cross reported 373 killed and 6,381 injures. Many of these deaths and injures were because the hurricane was a direct hit on Miami and Miami Beach. When the eye of the hurricane reached Miami and Miami Beach the lull of the storm lasted 35 minutes, most residents thought the storm was over but they were mistaken. In the second phase of the storm only a few building remained intact in Miami/Miami Beach area. The Fulford Speedway was completely destroyed. The storm cost over 100 million in damages. In todays cost this hurricane would have caused 1.32 billion dollars in damages making it the most costly hurricane in history.