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54
FLORIDA'S GREAT HURRICANE
 

considered in the problem of lowering the lake to a level at which the hazards of overflow might be overcome.

It appears that those who directed the drainage operations paid little attention to the Randolph report though the sum of $40,000 was paid for it. The painstaking calculations Randolph made concerning the action of wind upon the expansive bosom of the lake, might as well have been lost. Indeed it was not necessary for any one familiar with the lake to have any knowledge of the Randolph report to know that a strong wind blowing across the lake for many hours from the north would cause the water to overflow at the south. In July of the current year a storm of much force caused an overflow. At that time water was four feet high in some of the houses, and much damage resulted.

The wind that caused the lake to flood Moore Haven September 18 was from the northeast, and the region southwest of the lake was deluged. Perhaps the consequences would not have been so destructive had the storm struck in daylight, but it came upon the unfortunate town like a thief in the night. At two o'clock of the morning of the 18th the fire whistle was sounded. There was a somewhat general response from the residents, and they began reinforcing the dike with sand bags, and raised it about two feet. Probably this was the worst thing that they could have done, because it had the effect of impounding the water, giving it increased force and volume when eventually the dike broke.

Again at three o'clock the fire whistle was sounded, and the number of frenzied workers at the dike was increased by many who had not responded to the first call. All night these valiant men labored. When grey dawn came they gave up hope. They were exhausted. The water continued to rise, and by 6 o'clock they saw the dike break at several points. Panic seized them, and they fled for their lives, but too late. Some escaped in automobiles, others climbed to places of safety, but hundreds were drowned like rats in a trap.

The Everglades News tells how one J. E. Chestnutt saved his wife and five children and himself by cutting a hole in the roof of his house after the rising water had forced them to seek the attic for safety. They crawled through the hole and from the room swam till they were able to catch hold of taut communication wires, where they clung desperately until the water receded. Others were lost in attempting to escape in a like manner.

Hal Leyshon, who visited the Moore Haven district for the