On August 24, 1933, the Crescent Limited train, operated by the Southern Railway, derailed in Washington, D.C., amidst the aftermath of the Chesapeake-Potomac hurricane. The hurricane wreaked havoc along the East Coast of the United States, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds, and leading to severe flooding. As the storm progressed, the Potomac River swelled, causing significant erosion and ultimately washing out a vital bridge that the Crescent Limited was crossing at the time of the incident.

When the train reached the location of the collapsed bridge, it faced an immediate peril. The locomotive and several passenger cars fell into the water below, while others remained precariously on the damaged bridge structure. Rescue efforts were quickly initiated, and first responders arrived on the scene to assist passengers trapped in the train cars. Fortunately, while many were injured, there were no recorded fatalities, thanks to the prompt response and the relatively low speed at which the train was traveling as it approached the bridge.

The incident called attention to the infrastructure challenges arising during extreme weather events and led to increased scrutiny regarding the safety of rail bridges. The Southern Railway company worked to restore services swiftly, yet the derailment had left an indelible mark on public perceptions of train travel safety during extreme weather conditions. In a time when rail was a primary mode of transportation, such incidents raised significant public concern over the reliability of rail infrastructure and emergency preparedness.