Train became lifeline for Moore Haven residents during devastating 1926 hurricane

MOORE HAVEN, Fla. (WINK) — One hundred years ago, the 1926 hurricane devastated the community of Moore Haven.

 

In the 1920s, air travel was primitive, the interstate was just beginning and having a train come to your town was huge. Moore Haven got the rail line in 1921.

 

"It'll just it pulls at your heartstrings because you know, in in the modern era that we live in, we're so blessed because we have so many availabilities to us," Scott Ogle said.

 

Five years later, a wall of water 10 to 15 feet high hit Moore Haven and swept away just about everything. It would be called the Great Miami Hurricane, as it first came ashore on the east coast.

 

In Moore Haven, the train became a lifeline. Ogle is now the railroad superintendent for U.S. Sugar

 

"Back then, you know, moms, you know, dads were trying to rush their families to the rail spur to to get on the train," Ogle said.

 

Trains came from Sebring with supplies and provided a way out.

 

"Hundreds of people rode out on the train, and in cars like this one we're on right now, which would be considered an observation parlor car, it didn't matter," Ogle said. "This would be an uppity uppity kind of car, you know, back then still is today. But back then, you know, is get as many people on that train as we can. Let's get them to safety."

 

Much of the community would remain under water for weeks. The storm claimed around 300 lives in Glades County.

 

Today the train runs supplies and sugar cane. They also have a seasonal passenger train with excursions on the Sugar Express, from Clewiston to Avon Park and Sebring.