The Okeechobee Hurricane of 1928
Posted by Tonia Ferguson/Jody C. Wells
on Jan 29, 2015
Mr. Wayne Neely, best-selling author, lecturer on hurricanes, and a meteorologist presented to the 'Sunrisers' this past Thursday on the Okeechobee Hurricane (OH) of 1928 and its impact on The Bahamas. Over the years, Mr. Neely has written several articles on hurricanes and other severe weather events for some of the major local and international newspapers and magazines.
The OH or the San Felipe Segundo hurricane was the second deadliest tropical cyclone in the history of the United States. It came from the African coast through the Caribbean from the Bahamas. It was formed September 6th, 1928 and became a category 5. It was the greatest devastation to Florida. During that time, Bahamians were in Florida working on vegetable and citrus farms, and on railroads.
Some 2,500 people died in Florida - 1,400 being Bahamians.
In Nassau, damage was done to the shipping industry. Schooners and mail boats in the Nassau Harbor were pulverized. Other properties that were damaged included churches - Trinity Wesleyan Methodist Church and St. Mary's Church; and to roads and homes throughout the islands. Winds got to a maximum of 140 mph.
Mr. Neely recalled the older generation who would have weathered the storm relating the details with tears in their eyes. The impact of the storm was still vivid in their minds as they recalled the lost and devastation. Many residents were caught out to sea as there was no weather forecast to warn of the storm. Many lives were lost and damage to homes and property was immense.
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