Broward County June Brown Bag Historical Lunch ProgramThe Big Blow: Remembering the 1926 Hurricane
Contact: Helen LandersBroward County Historical CommissionPhone: 954-765-4670E-Mail: hlanders@broward.org
The Broward County Historical Commission will host a Brown Bag Historical Lunch Program on Thursday, June 18, at noon in the Historical Commission Museum, 151 S.W. Second Street, Second Floor, Fort Lauderdale.
The 1926 Hurricane is said to have been the most powerful ever experienced by Broward County in terms of the devastation and affect on the lives of residents. The County was just 11 years old, and the storm ripped through the County from Hallandale Beach to Pompano Beach. There were 15 deaths in Fort Lauderdale, 25 in Hollywood and nine in Dania. Broward County claimed 1,500 injured.
An account of this monster storm will be related by Verlon Burwell, made in a 1987 taped interview by Dr. Cooper Kirk, then Broward County Historian. Never before seen photos of the hurricane�s damage will be viewed through a PowerPoint presentation.
According to R. A. Gray, official in charge of the United States Weather Bureau�s Miami Office, the wind velocity was between 140-150 miles per hour. For years after, time and events were referred to as before and after the 26 Storm.
Participants are encouraged to bring their personal and family recollections, as well as mementos to share with the audience. The program is free and coffee and cold drinks will be provided. For further information, contact Helen Landers, Broward County Historian, 954-765-4670.
![Dr. W. H. Cotton’s ode: “Oh, My Lake Worth, Florida!” [circa 1920].](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yhHyCn84ZIQ/WezjlEL-0tI/AAAAAAAAPZ4/CzkhriK6zpEJJ3d9Je1495d49gIhnMlxACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/LakeWorthPioneers.JPG)
