On this Date in 1989: Hurricane Hugo Reaches Charleston

This Day in Charleston History

Credit: Wikipedia

On this day in Charleston history, Hurricane Hugo first made landfall in Charleston. The storm was a Category 4 hurricane when it arrived in the Holy City and caused extensive damaged throughout the state.

Hugo hit the area around 11:30 pm on September 21st, but made actual landfall in Sullivan’s Island at 11:57 pm. The storm brought winds that exceeded 135 mph.

Twenty-seven South Carolinians died as a result from the storm, while more than 3,300 single family homes, 12,600 mobile homes and 18,000 multi-family houses were either damaged or destroyed. Damage in this state alone was estimated at $5.9 billion.

Notes

• More than 227,8000 residences lost power
• 18,171 homes had major damage, while 56,580 sustained minor impact
• There were 34 fatalities in the Caribbean as a result of the storm.
• At the time It was the costliest storm in U.S. history, but is now the 11th costliest.
• Pictures from The State.
• Pictures from Charleston Daily Photo.
• Pictures from different towns.
• Plenty of Pictures from Google Image Search.
• Father, son remember Hugo (The State).

—

Sources: The Washington Post, Wikipedia,

Share on Facebook

Tweet

Follow us