10/15/2026
History Comes Alive!
On this day 72 years ago, the Twin Beaches faced one of the most devastating natural disasters in our region's history: Hurricane Hazel.
Screaming into Maryland with hurricane-force winds gusting over 100 mph and a massive 6-foot storm surge, Hazel pushed the Chesapeake Bay straight inland and changed our waterfront forever.
The destruction was immense:
💥 Waterfront landmarks lost: The heavy waves and wind destroyed Twin Beach fishing piers, the North Beach waterfront ballroom at the town’s pier and concession stands associated with the Chesapeake Beach Amusement Park.
🌾 Agricultural disaster: Across Calvert County, the ferocious winds flattened hundreds of to***co barns, striking a massive blow to our local economy.
🚤 Marina devastation: Local docks and wharves crumbled under the battering waves, destroying numerous marinas and tossing fishing boats – also impacting the local economy.
🏡 Severe flooding & damage: Coastal streets swallowed by the surge left homes flooded and roofs ripped away.
This historic disaster triggered a grueling, multi-day emergency response for the members of the North Beach Volunteer Fire Department. Operating out of our old station at 4th Street and Dayton Avenue, our volunteers worked tirelessly around the clock—clearing blocked roads, mitigating hazards, and protecting lives.
Today, we honor the incredible resilience of our community and the dedication of the NBVFD crews who stepped up when the Twin Beaches and Calvert County needed them most.
The 1949 aerial photo below shows the North Beach Pier and Amusements intact five years before Hurricane Hazel destroyed or heavily damaged the structures. Photo from Maryland Department of Planning website.
