Crime & Public Safety
Moore Haven flood from 1926 hurricane remembered in Glades County
A powerful hurricane pushed a large surge of Lake Okeechobee water into Moore Haven in Glades County, death an estimated 300 people and destroying much of the town. The storm — known historically as the Great Miami Hurricane — struck South Florida on Sept. 18, 1926, made landfall near Miami and then moved west across the state toward Lake Okeechobee, where Moore Haven was inundated by a reported 10- to 15-foot wall of water.
Contemporary accounts indicate the earthen barriers then protecting the town failed under the storm surge; homes and businesses were flooded and much of Moore Haven remained underwater for weeks. Trains from nearby Sebring transported supplies and survivors out of the flooded community, and bodies were recovered from streets and surrounding areas. The death toll is given as an estimate; some victims were never identified and some were buried in mass graves.
Local government and emergency officials marked the 100th anniversary with remembrance and noted the event’s lasting impact on county emergency planning. The Glades County Board of County Commissioners said the anniversary highlights the county’s vulnerability to powerful tropical systems and the importance of preparedness and neighborly assistance.
This report reflects documented historical facts and the county’s commemoration; the event is closed as a historical disaster rather than an active criminal investigation.
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