Anniversary of Hurricane Hugo: Catastrophic 1989 Storm Impact on South Carolina Coast
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- Developments
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- Repetition
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New informationRepeats or wire copies
What happened
Thirty-seven years after Hurricane Hugo struck the Lowcountry, the storm is remembered as a historic event that hit on the night of September 21 to September 22, 1989. The storm was rated a Category 4 hurricane, with sustained winds reaching 135 to 140 mph and minimum central pressure of 933 millibars. Hugo caused catastrophic flooding, with some areas experiencing a 20-foot storm tide.
Why it matters
The storm impacted multiple locations, including Charleston, where over 80% of historic buildings sustained damage. As the storm moved inland, it brought hurricane-force winds to Columbia and Charlotte, leading to widespread power outages and infrastructural damage across the affected regions.
Who's involved
- CharlestonCharleston, a city in South Carolina, was heavily impacted by the storm.
- CharlotteCharlotte was impacted by the storm as it moved through the region.
- ColumbiaColumbia was impacted by the storm as it moved through the region.
How it developed
Newest first. Tap a step to see who reported it.- Hurricane Hugo devastated the coastlines of South Carolina.Sub-event
NWS tracked Hurricane Hugo's potential path near Charleston.1 source
Storm Hugo brought hurricane-force winds and damage to Charleston, Columbia, and Charlotte.1 source
Keep exploring
The entities involved
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Charleston
largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina
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Charlotte
city in and county seat of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, United States
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Columbia
human settlement in Arizona, United States of America