Pat Shingleton for Sept. 3, 2012

It was a compact and intense hurricane that caused extreme damage in the upper Florida Keys and a storm surge of approximately 18 to 20 feet. Its winds leveled most of the buildings in the Islamorada area as numerous World War I veterans were killed by the storm surge while building the Key West Extension of the Florida East Coast Railroad. Prior to the naming of storms, this was known as the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935. Future Labor Days will hold memories of storms that have pounded Louisiana. Isaac is the newest on the list; Gustav gave us the highest winds ever recorded while Lili and Rita contributed their share of destruction on our state. Today recognizes laborers; many are working through the difficulties of our last storm.

Fastcast: Muggy.