Hurricane Hugo’s Impact and Legacy
The Lowcountry is observing the 37th anniversary of Hurricane Hugo, a Category 4 storm that made landfall near Sullivan’s Island on the night of September 21, 1989. Hugo’s eye passed over the Charleston area shortly after midnight, bringing winds of approximately 140 mph to South Carolina.
The hurricane caused significant storm surge in McClellanville and Awendaw, and produced a storm surge of about 20 feet in Bulls Bay. This event resulted in the highest storm tides recorded along the East Coast at that time. The storm’s destructive path extended well inland, damaging or destroying tens of thousands of homes. Many communities across the Lowcountry experienced prolonged power outages and faced an extensive recovery period.
Hurricane Hugo also fundamentally changed how emergency officials, local governments, and residents approach hurricane preparedness. To commemorate the anniversary, News 2 will stream its special, Hurricane Hugo: Wrath to Restoration, on WCBD+ at 7:30 p.m. Monday.