Part 5/9:
As the storm progressed, it wreaked havoc across large stretches of inflated land. The hurricane caused violent wind-driven tides that rushed over the low berm surrounding Lake Okeechobee. In just minutes, water surged out of the lake, enveloping the towns nearby that had little time to react. It is estimated that around 3,000 lives were lost during this disaster, the majority being black migrant workers who lacked housing security and were often dismissed by their employers in times of crisis.