Hurricane Labor Day

Summary

The Labor Day Hurricane of 1935, which struck the Florida Keys on the evening of September 2, is remembered as one of the most intense hurricanes to make landfall in the United States. Initially identified as a tropical storm south of the Bahamas, it rapidly intensified into a Category 5 hurricane as it approached the Florida Keys, becoming the most intense hurricane to strike the United States at that time, with a minimum pressure of 892 millibars.

The hurricane's impact was devastating due to its extreme intensity and the lack of sufficient warning and preparedness at the time. When it made landfall near Craig Key, the storm brought winds estimated to be up to 185 mph, causing catastrophic damage across the small islands. The infrastructure was largely obliterated; train tracks were washed away, and the Overseas Highway was severely damaged, isolating the Keys from the mainland.

One of the most tragic outcomes of the hurricane was the loss of life among World War I veterans who were in the Keys working on a federal labor project. They were caught in the open with insufficient shelter options. The official death toll was approximately 408 people, though the actual number may have been higher.

The 1935 Labor Day Hurricane underscored the need for improved hurricane forecasting and led to better storm preparedness measures in vulnerable areas. Its memory prompted changes in infrastructure and emergency response strategies, which have continued to evolve to better protect communities from the threat of hurricanes.

This hurricane remains a powerful example of nature’s force and the critical importance of disaster preparedness and timely response.

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