 After emerging into the Straits of Florida on September 21 , the storm resumed intensification , before striking near Boca Chica Key , Florida with winds of 120 mph ( 195 km / h ) . By early on September 22 , the system peaked as a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph ( 215 km / h ) . Shortly thereafter , another landfall occurred near Chokoloskee , Florida at the same intensity . Severe damage was reported in the state due to strong winds . The storm was considered the worst in Key West since the 1919 Florida Keys hurricane . Throughout the state , 1 @,@ 200 homes were severely damage or destroyed , while 40 businesses were demolished and 237 suffered impact . Throughout Florida , there were three fatalities and approximately $ 12 million ( 1948 USD ) in damage , over half of which was inflicted on crops . The storm rapidly weakened while crossing the state and emerged into the Atlantic Ocean as only a Category 1 hurricane later on September 22 . Slight fluctuations in intensity occurred before the hurricane became extratropical early on September 24 , while located northwest of Bermuda . 
