1935 Labor Day Hurricane – The Unexpected Guest
The 1935 disaster is characterized by landfalls and came as a surprise to many at the eve of Labor Day celebrations. The category five hurricane and its effects were felt in Bahamas and Florida. There was massive destruction of property especially in the upper Florida Keys where a storm surge of more than 20feet swept through the low lying islands.
(Original Caption) All but the engine of this Florida East Coast Emergency Relief train was blown from the tracks by the hurricane, just below Snake Creek, near Islamorada in the South Florida Keys. The train had been on route to the war veterans camp below Matecumbe. As work of reconstruction begins, bodies of victims, where other means of burial are impossible, are being cremated to prevent the outbreak of pestilence
Almost all structures between Marathon and Tavernier and total loss of 423 lives. More than 100,000 people were left homeless and property worth $100 million destroyed. After this incidence, the United States government intensified its investment in preparedness for hurricanes.