Heritage, Episode 10: Hurricane Of 1928

Heritage, Thursdays at 5:30 PM. Hosted by Alan Gerstel and Laurel Sauer, “Heritage” is a showcase of programming that features local South Florida history on a wide range of topics. These award-winning half hour programs were written and produced by our partners at The Education Network (T.E.N.). WXEL is proud to bring you this series for your enjoyment and your enlightenment.
Episode 10, Hurricane of 1928
This episode of Heritage looks back on the Hurricane of 1928, the one which no other hurricane has compared too. With a death toll of 1,836 in Florida alone and 1,575 in the Caribbean the storm would never be forgotten. During Florida's economical and population boom the state was blind sided by this blow. Much like its predesser the Great Miami Hurricane Florida's southern edges of Lake Okeechobee were hit with ever lasting damage. To better understand the severity this episode features footage and interviews of survivors and witness's to the now called Great Okeechobee flood.

[@mikeyoungblood1706]

My Father survived the 1928 Hurricane in Pahokee High School Building.

[@12yearssober]

I was in Mexico Beach Florida visiting friends when Michael hit in 2018. We were a few miles inland so decided to ride it out. It was my first hurricane. We survived but I gained a new sense of respect for Mother Nature that day.

[@sly7390]

We lived to the right of Tallahassee and traveled towards Jacksonville during the storm. Coming back home…horrible. So much destruction on I-10 West. You can see it traveling westward. Luckily we in Monticello Florida only lost power overnight. Storms make you realize there is only so much you can prepare for../it it decides to bloom open…nothing no one can do.

[@SmilingNautilus-eq1tl]

Laurel and alan pioneers of local news. Thanks for the memories.

[@DukeMitchell.223]

I was in Country Walk when Andrew hit us, that storm stripped the grass off my lawn, destroyed every home and erased the trailer park from planet earth. Nothing left but concrete pads many of those were ripped up too. I saw devastation I couldn't describe . This 28 storm was probably similar

[@julialaw6471]

Andrew was crazy! Like a buzzsaw, never saw anything like it. As a deputy to the north of you we took turns for months to help Homestead 😢

[@GeoHvl]

I lived in Clewiston during my childhood. My parents friend who was born and raised in Pahokee told the story of the ‘28 hurricane. He was 10 and survived on a concrete pump platform. He lost his entire family. Never found one member of 6.

[@BadWeatherfreak]

Oh man. That is terrible.

[@luv2luv720]

Heartbreaking!

[@mikemoffitt8645]

I Remember,The Stories,My Mom.Was Told By My Grandmother, About The 1828 Hurricane. My GrandParents,Harold Anthony &Angela Enrich Moffitt,Had Rented Joe Jefferson's Home,3 Story home,Down Clamatis Stfeet (Joe Jefferson' Was Very Popular In Bodville, My Grandparents Were on 3 Floor of Mr.Jefferson's Home,The Sky Turned Purple, They Watched Hurricane 1928 As It Came In to West Palm Beach,as The Atlantic Ocean Meet The Lake worth Intercoastal Water Way. That Hurricane Storm Surge Created The Northwood Hills. Yeah,My Grandfather,,Were Asked To Help Bury Many Afro-Americans That Had Died in The Glades. My grandfather was Raised Long Island My Grandmother Raised In Cumberland MD.My Great Great Grandparents, Taught My grandparents, My Mom &handed This Fact,To Me,Racism Had No Place in Our Lives,By Treating Individuals White,Afro-American, Chinese,Japanes or Native American Indian,You Treat With Respect Of Their Cultures,Then That Will Come back to You,In Friendship

[@myrnamiranda1006]

Very interesting & sad documentary. Thank you for sharing R.I.P. all those souls🙏🙏

[@gregmundo6107]

I just saw your documentary and it’s very powerful, I’m from puerto rico and before Maria hit I knew that it was going to be like her predecesor San felipe2 , that’s how we named the huracaines back then, ironically with catholic saints names ,, I read abt lake okochobee but your documental its very instructive, I wish people come to their senses about how fragile mankind are compare to Mother Nature, greg from Ocala florida

[@deborahkelly1489]

Greg, I couldn't agree more. People who stay seem to have this " I am invincible attude " let's ride it out. Even with all the information and history , of devastating hurricanes we still have people who stay and unfortunately loose thier lives. But, having said that, I can emphasise with those who stay ( especially the older generation) because their entire lives are tied up in that home. Or, they can not bear to leave a beloved pet behind, being their only companion.

[@chiquie3989]

My grandfather was 17 at the time. He rode the hurricane out with his mother, both holding on to a tree stump as their house flew over their heads in pieces.

[@model-man7802]

This is called the "Okeechobee" storm in many books and magazines I've read over the years so that's what the name of the storm is to me anyway.

[@tiraccoon75]

In Guadeloupe islands , we called it in créole language" siklon 28 or siklon ventyit and in french "Le cyclone de 1928 ¨"

[@taragragg400]

We are waiting for Irma. This is our history. Now it is our present.

[@jen-a-purr]

She was a doozy wasn’t she??

[@cocotaveras8975]

Jen- A-Purr And so was Michael, I mean like man why was he so angry?

[@cocotaveras8975]

Jen- A-Purr Lets not forget Dorian either!

[@BadWeatherfreak]

My grandfather told me that his that was alive in PR when this hurricane hit and it literally took all vegetation. They had to dig up the root ball of banana trees and boil then to eat something.

[@ritamoore8346]

Here we are in 2019 and so many still won't get away from the coast when warned.

[@mariekatherine5238]

rita moore Because people refuse to learn from history, and people are stupid, not bothering to learn history.

[@sahaynam6470]

Ever tried to evacuate? Some people can’t... too poor, too sick... no vehicles. Traffic is a nightmare. Sheltering in place is sometimes a better option... often times the only option.

[@SarahWestTheNyammyXanaduQueen]

Oh no, this hurricane back in 1928 has devastated southern Florida without warnings.

[@lindaeasley5606]

All hurricanes before the era of modernized forecasting and satellite tracking were devastating.

[@carmelitatiti7046]

My mom’s Grandpa had the same thing but instead it was a banana plant!

[@nicholasrobertson4687]

Hurricane 🌀 season is here. Who's ready?

[@Slappap]

Well this was a nice watch thanks. Not sure if I really heard much about this storm. Shame it took so long to get a memorial up for those buried in the mass grave.

[@traveanguyton1112]

19:59 Rip to my hometown💖 very sad story💔🙏

[@anikajain571]

Sad & disgraceful it took so many decades, to acknowledge & memorialise the mass grave/s of those poor black peoples, shame USA, shame. Otherwise a great short doco & touching first hand accounts.

[@653j521]

Anika Jain You expected differently in a former slave state with segregation as long as they could get away with it?

[@hannah1428]

None of this in history books! They atrocities they put those poor people through after they had already gone through so much! Young Black kids need to learn about this and many other things in their textbooks

[@pauljohn6546]

Hkgkjyg , really? History Is ALL fake...

[@moniquecambero9207]

@@pauljohn6546 yes..many was whitewashed. So sad but true

[@2hood2street81]

Oh trust me we know if you’re from palm beach you should their is a big ass mass grave on tamarind and 25th st as a reminder!!

[@stormisuedonym4599]

... You say that like our history books aren't stuffed so full of the suffering of black people that it's hard to find much else being taught of American history after World War II until you get to the college level.

[@653j521]

Hannah It is in history books. They mentioned one by name, Black Cloud.

[@pinkrose5796]

Where are people with limited funds, no cars, disabled, elderly supposed to go when a hurricane hits?

[@stormisuedonym4599]

The trick is to not wait until the hurricane hits.

[@KHH595]

You’re supposed to plan for that before hurricane season even starts.

[@mousetreehouse6833]

I was always under the impression that it was the 1926 Hurricane that caused the Florida land bust. The tragedy of that storm was all the Northern transplants not knowing about a hurricanes eye. They thought the storm was over without knowing they were just in the middle of it.

[@earldominguez3541]

TANK GOD FOR THE ITERNAT.

[@areguapiri]

It should NEVER be called a "killer". Hurricanes are part of the nature of the world.

[@leftylou6070]

PBS is pretty good at throwin' that race card out and around when things don't go their way. Just listen to this story.

[@htos1av]

We dodged a bullet called Dorian in 2019.

[@lowcountryantiques3696]

We are waiting on Dorian now Outer Banks North Carolina Carolina

[@robertcipriano214]

buckle up FLA

[@Callhermsross]

Black folks can't even ride out a hurricane just seeing how environmental racism works. Things haven't really changed. Rest in peace to my ancestors. ✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿

[@KHH595]

These storms don’t care what color you are. They kill everyone just the same.

[@johnathoncastro]

so hurricanes are racist now? lmao.... I cant imagine living life with this victimhood mentality. must be a horrible way to live.

[@fredfleming8905]

The Bible mentions a wind storm on a lake not a hurricane/cyclone typically over a gulf, sea or ocean. If there is mention of one please specify where.

[@tommeredith7079]

She said I hope you enjoyed today's documentary. How does one enjoy hearing about dead bodies floating around the water?

[@tommeredith7079]

@mark rylander Reminds me of a horror movie I watched during my youth. "Let's scare Jessica to death" have all the popcorn and refreshments you like, so disturbing you'll be sleeping in the fetal position.

[@npcdd1652]

People learn through experience

[@SadisticSenpai61]

Well, we're here, aren't we?

[@msbrowngault]

But I can't find a documentary on The Galveston Storm of 1900 ... 😧

[@disoriented1]

+MsG. Try "Isaac's Storm" on KZbin..

[@sifridbassoon]

don't know if you're around and still interested, but there are a bunch of short videos here on youtube. Look for "Galveston hurricane 1900" and you should get several good hits. Also "Isaac's Storm" is the "go to" book on the subject. There's probably a copy at your library. Check Amazon as well. There are several good books out there. Have fun.

[@model-man7802]

Yes lots on KZbin,keep looking.👍

[@osirisandilio]

Lol, 12:20. 2nd largest freshwater lake in America. I live in Michigan and we have the top 5 largest, you can have 9th place though.

[@jzmoro8752]

I think it’s because only 1 Great Lake is in only in the US and the other 4 are on the borders and Lake Okeechobee is also one that is only in the US and is salt water Don’t quote me, idk if it’s right lol Also, lucky you live in Michigan, it doesn’t get cold enough here in New Jersey

[@npcdd1652]

Largest man made

[@stormisuedonym4599]

@@jzmoro8752 You're right; Okeechobee only squeaks in second because only one of the Great Lakes is entirely within the Lower 48. To a Michigander, Okeechobee is a jumped-up puddle with delusions of grandeur.

[@eugenehosack5294]

@@jzmoro8752 salt water ?? Lol

[@eugenehosack5294]

@@npcdd1652 man made ? Lol

[@jen-a-purr]

Devastation for any time period/era..

[@nicholasrobertson6409]

Ninety two years ago today

[@WickedlyMe328]

Through researching ancestry, we found out we had family killed in this storm.

[@futuremillionaire3316]

whos here because of dorian 🤔

[@0dietz0]

Me

[@cocotaveras8975]

Cha chi Catastrophic, truly devastating. Dorian was historic!

[@coreymadden3650]

Rode out ian I'll never leave

[@roddiemc91]

The music is louder than the people talking.

[@winstonledford5438]

build steel buildings waterproof them they build them back with cheap wood with ins money. need restriction Dorian sep =2019. put stell plates around homes

[@swampfizz]

at 12:25 they say lake okochobee is the 2nd largest fresh water lake in America?that may be true after the GREAT LAKES?

[@357pancakeman]

Lake Michigan is the only one of the Great Lakes fully enclosed by American land, so the others don't count for this record. Also, Lake Okochobee is the largest lake fully enclosed within a single state.

[@turtleprincess55]

It is a man made lake, not a natural lake. same as the lake behind the Hoover Dam. Lake Michigan may be fresh water, but it is not man made.

[@jeffjenkins575]

Lake Okeechobee is "not" man made!

[@robertwatford6420]

turtleprincess55. you're a moron!

[@joshct9426]

357pancakeman good answer!!

[@lburns7952]

Second class citizens a step above livestock. This gets so old....

[@TheDoctor1225]

You're getting worked up over a situation that existed some (now in 2020) 70+ years ago. Things have changed a lot since then.

[@maryshoemaker1437]

I wonder... if been on a bad storms kick.. I want to ask... wasn’t the weather telling you what’s coming..doesn’t the local folks aware of what was coming.. I realize there was no tracking info...but ppl just won’t leave he area when warned.. bless all victims of the natural disasters..❤️❤️❤️🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🌴🌴🌴

[@genliz4074]

Coming from the panhandle of Florida, no, theres not much of a "warning" until about 24-36 hours before, unless tracked and televised. Baramoters may have read lower then normal, but without tracking, even if they suspected a hurricane, they probably couldn't tell if it would hit on coast near them, 100 miles away, or it could "ride" the coast for a bit and hit 300 miles away. The only for sure natural warnings I've noticed in my lifetime are the water in the gulf pushing in or sucking out, depending on which coast of Florida it hits, that's only about a day before and the wind kicks up about 24 hours prior, also.

[@kirkgriffin3336]

September is a bad month!

[@howardty2733]

!

[@ScoriacTears]

2:30 A thousand miles east of Guadalupe Island puts you in Coahuila Mexico! just south of the border of Texas, what on earth (literally dry land) is the S.S.Commack doing so far from the sea? . . Ahh I get it, they mean Guadeloupe Island not Guadalupe Island, yeah sorry, thats right don't mind Me lol.

[@one4allall4one91]

2nd class citizens had it worst. The 1st class citizens were the white. I guess. 3rd class citizens were the indians. What happen to them?

[@kgbeezr75]

Probably long since killed by white men who stole their land.

[@nicholasrobertson4687]

Another hurricane season is almost here. Who's ready?

[@KLONE72]

27:31

[@venessamaxwell8105]

Their Eyes Were Watching God Zora Neale Hurston

[@jamesbondero9148]

Her legs look glazed

[@tomstclair961]

All new structures should all be mandatory dome shaped structures that are completely sealed and water tight against surge and flooding..Also completely self sustainable systems within to have cool dry air or heat if needed, clean running water, power supply to operate everything as normal and medical supplies as needed in an emergency with high tech communication systems. .They should all have emergency access areas near the top of dome in case all areas at base are blocked or clogged with debris. If not!! At least have one dome structure built to accommodate the people in this section of a town. Like emergency evacuation community centers. All completely stocked with any and all items needed to sustain the saftey, health, and comfort of said amount of people that will be occupying it in said emergency. All utilities should all be below ground from now on in concrete tunnel systems to allow workers to work on or expand new systems. Just like Disney world has built.. It's very simple, and sensible.. This is just common sense people!! Our building codes and our utilities have all been designed to incorporate paying jobs as they will be destroyed and replaced in such events..To live in a town with power lines everywhere overhead in a hurricane prone area is as ridiculous as living in a town prone to tornadoes without tornado cellars below ground. This is not rocket science folks!!! A 3rd grade student could tell you this. So, it's time to start building smart and we can do it cheaper than its been done in our past and also 100 times safer and stronger than ever before seen.. The material technology is beyond your belief today. They wont let it out to the public because they are still trying to use up the old outdated garage that's still making them millions of dollars, and still killing us..These days are over folks. Life for all things should be our #1 priority in any new design, or development .. We need to change our building codes now!! Demand this from our county state and government. It's time to move out of the stone age of fear, and death, and into our new future of life, happiness, and prosperity for all.. Its time to create safe, healthy, well prepared and protected communities, cities, and states. . The days of watching a huge storm blow your home apart and your loved ones drowning in front of your eyes while you're helplessly trying to stay alive should never ever be a reality again. . We can do this folks!! If you can imagine it with your mind, it can be built with your hands

[@pippinbaker8440]

THAT IS A STELLAR IDEA, WHY DON'T PPL DESIGN THEIR NEW PLACES AS A DOME. EXCELLENT.

[@tomstclair961]

@@pippinbaker8440 Thank you!! Yes., they are called geodesic structures. This is the same design they use on a lot of nuclear plants and huge oil and fuel containment systems. They are wind tested to 200+mph. Also really cool interior living designs.

[@tomstclair961]

@@pippinbaker8440 Lol. Even the eskimos build their homes in this design

[@653j521]

Any idea what happens to buried infrastructure when the ground becomes saturated with water? It collapses. as it did in my town.

[@tomstclair961]

@@653j521 It has to be designed, and built correctly.. The military has huge huge boring machines that create tunnels to put a hwy in them. There are complete towns built under our feet in many areas of this country. 2 miles below the surface. They start boring in and the materials that are being cut out, go into a furnace of some sort and it turns everything in it to a molton material that is immediatly applied back onto entire opening. It hardens back up to give a Smooth finish look inside.. We've been lied to for so long that we started believing it ourselves.. Now it's exposure time!!!

[@elisanabria2068]

Huricane name was SAN FELIPE

[@howardty2733]

No

[@j.b.4340]

It’s a bit obnoxious, when a group paints themselves as the only victims. Makes this thing tough to watch.

[@moniejohnson7856]

This is so wrong...and this was 1928...ppl from the era is still alive. Don't tell me racism is dead.

[@lapacker]

People naturally support and uphold their own. When there is such disparity in intelligence between Europeans and Africans, what can you expect? Still, there were and are a lot of White founded and run charities which help minorities.

[@abiolaadedeji1868]

Lol yea infants from this era are still alive

[@justsayin3647]

Monie Johnson, if that is all you take away from this video then, you're part of the problem.

[@MiamiPush2theLimit]

Monie Johnson yep lol at at the retarded racists replying to your comment.

[@johnathoncastro]

Things have changed now it's been almost 100 years

[@mistervacation23]

Proably smelled like somebody 💩 a christmas tree. whewwww eeeeeeeeee.

[@jparker59able]

Shameful aftermath America....As usual.

[@okaybye75]

Global warming caused this one too.

[@johnathoncastro]

lmao yea 100 years ago .... Florida was suppose to be under water 20 years ago too. lol

[@hurricanesam9710]

Yanny Sauer........

[@jimbeekman4863]

13:32 LAME.... I am just saying