By Catherine Peper

The Shane family was relatively new to Florida when Hurricane Dora hit on September 10th, 1964 with a 10 ft storm surge and 110 MPH winds.  We moved from Canada in 1959.  Neither we, nor NE Florida had any experience with a direct hit by a Cat 2 storm.  On 8/28/64 we rode out tropical storm Cleo (downgraded from a Cat 3 hurricane) at our Beachcomber motel on the ocean between 4th and 5th avenue South.  That would not be the case with Dora.  We evacuated to the Hotel Mayflower downtown Jacksonville.  With 7 kids, a dog named Rags and a cat, it was no small feat.

Our dog Rags, my brother Neil and sister Nancy.  Rags, the wonder dog, got to be on TV and shake Lyndon B. Johnson’s hand in the same week of hurricane Dora. 

At the final moment, we could not find the cat or the dog (Rags) but we had to go and get settled as the storm was already approaching.  The kids cried about the animals so our dad returned to the beach to rescue them.  He got Rags easily enough, but the cat fought him and ran off.  The news cameras were airing an interview with him as he was one of the few people remaining on the Beach.  We were visiting other Beaches residents in the hotel and saw dad on TV – more tears.   Our mother, was watching a TV without sound in the next room and started screaming “he’s dead!” until someone turned the sound on. 

We rode the storm out with little problems.  Only a picture window exploding above a bed – glass everywhere.  After the storm, we made our way back to the beach (power lines down and all).  We were allowed early reentry to inspect our business. Had to park at the Homestead due to standing water.  Watching for downed lines in murky sand water wasn’t possible.  So we just had lots of strenuous reminders. Had to swim the final blocks as it was too deep for little kids. With the parents in the center, and a string of kids all holding hands, we made it to our house at 412 2nd street.  All was good.  We had water in the yard up to the top of the gas tank (a new diving platform). 

September 1964, after Hurricane Dora – Len Shane (Cathy Peper’s father) stands outside of the Beachcomber Motel on 411 First Street South, Jacksonville Beach.

The Beachcomber didn’t do as well.  The pool was full of lawn furniture and tons of sand.  The covered patio was in the pool.  The rear motel wall had significant damage and 2 upper rooms collapsed.  Sand, water, broken fencing and debris/appliances sunk on the beach everywhere. The best news?  Our seawall was intact and did its job.  Our neighboring motels (Silver Sea and Killis’s) lost most of their seawall. Killi’s Grocer never reopened.  My dad said it was because the Beachcomber was “on holy ground” as it is where the original St. Paul’s Chapel stood before moving twice.  I later confirmed this with Father Kelly at St. Paul’s catholic church.

Recovery

As with any natural disaster, you start out on your own for water, food, securing shelter.  The escapee cat also made it home. We also found glasses everywhere from a bar down the street. Everyone remembers the loud helicopters all over the Beach taking pictures.  The massive amount of sand lost on the beach and the demolished seawall was breathtaking. The pier was seriously damaged.  Before, you could walk on the Seawall from at least 16th avenue South past the boardwalk was all but gone. Soon to be replaced by huge boulders.

 President Lyndon B. Johnson and his entourage surveyed the damage.  When he got out of his convertible on 1st street around 16th Avenue, Rags took it as an invitation and walked right up to him, sat and put his paw up for a shake, which LBJ obliged.  LBJ even asked Rag’s name.  What a sight!  The Beatles did a concert in Jacksonville shortly after the hurricane and had the audacity to complain of sour milk at their hotel.

Recovery was slow – weeks and months, a little patch of normal at a time. The first responders and support organizations like the Red Cross were amazing.  We were lucky to have our gas back on early.  It helped our neighbors who came over to heat meals. Neighbors helping neighbors.  That’s a Beach thing!  We moved to Rhode Island after Dora due to the loss of accreditation for Duval County schools and returned in 1967 so we missed most of the recovery.