Part 3/9:
Compounding the situation was a severe hurricane that struck Miami in 1926, which led to widespread panic and economic downturn. This formidable storm not only devastated urban areas but also heightened concerns over how to protect the growing agricultural communities surrounding Lake Okeechobee. Farmers continually issued warnings to state and federal officials regarding the threat posed by the lake during storm events. Their advocacy ultimately resulted in attempts to construct better protective measures.
Despite efforts to build a mere six-foot-dike made from local muck, the structure was inadequate. This weakness was fully realized when another hurricane struck just two years later.