Remembering Hurricane Hugo: A Night to Never Forget in Charleston
Charleston, S.C. – It’s hard to believe that it has been 35 years since Hurricane Hugo made landfall just north of our beloved city of Charleston near Sullivan’s Island. For many of us who lived in the Lowcountry, that fateful night still stirs vivid memories and emotions.
From Simple Beginnings to a Monster Storm
Hugo kicked off its journey as a tropical wave that left the African coast on September 9, 1989. The very next day, it transformed into the 11th depression of the Atlantic hurricane season. By September 14, Hugo was officially a Category 1 hurricane, and things escalated quickly! Just 24 hours later, it escalated to a powerful Category 5 hurricane with winds reaching a bone-chilling 160 mph.
Although it did weaken when passing by Puerto Rico, it wasn’t long before it regained its strength. Many will never forget the words of retired bond court judge Linda Lombard during that time. She urged the community to heed the warnings: “If you want to leave Charleston, please leave now.” It’s striking to think about how those simple words carried so much weight as our leaders struggled to convince residents to evacuate.
A Call for Action
As the clock ticked down to Hugo’s arrival, Mayor Joe Riley shared similar concerns. He understood that many residents hadn’t experienced a major hurricane in decades. Thoughts of storm surges flooding the peninsula made him shudder. “It’s a wall of water,” he said, reminiscing on that fateful night two years ago. As Hugo approached, it made things feel all too real.
Riley wanted to convey just how imminent the storm was. “This will be the largest, most severe hurricane in anyone’s memory,” he proclaimed, his voice heavy with sincerity. Indeed, the atmosphere leading up to the storm was surreal, with beautiful sunshine giving no hint of the chaos that was soon to ensue.
The Calm Before the Storm
The day before landfall, many took advantage of the sunny weather, unaware that the clock was ticking down towards disaster. But when nighttime fell on September 22, Hugo struck with a vengeance. With winds gusting as high as 140 mph, the tranquility of the day faded into an eerie and daunting reality.
For Charlie Hall, a legendary broadcaster known for his work at Channel 5, the storm’s approach was overwhelming. As he prepared viewers for what was coming, he realized the gravity of the situation. “It’s coming. And it’s coming straight for us,” he warned his fellow anchor, Bill Sharpe, solemnly. Hall wanted to stay on the air until the very last moment, believing that staying put was crucial to informing the public. But alas, management had other plans, urging everyone to evacuate.
The Aftermath: A Community Devastated
The destruction that followed was catastrophic. The storm surge reached up to 20 feet in some areas, with the hurricane causing mass devastation in Charleston and nearby regions. Downtown Charleston saw nearly 80 percent of roofs damaged, while more than 100 buildings were either seriously damaged or completely collapsed.
In McClellanville, Hugo wreaked havoc as well, as its 16-foot storm surge left many seeking refuge in places barely above sea level. Water rose as fast as 6 feet in places designated as shelters, leaving those trapped holding on for dear life.
A Lesson Learned
The aftermath left people shocked and devastated, but out of the confusion arose resilience. As Hall would later reflect, staying in the studio was likely not an option, as floodwaters would have destroyed both the building and the vital equipment needed to inform the public. He received a heartfelt message from a viewer who had made the choice to leave based on Hall’s exit from the station, saying that his action saved lives.
Today, Hugo isn’t just a piece of history; it’s a reminder of the importance of heeding warnings and evacuating when necessary. The storm claimed 56 lives in the Caribbean and 29 lives in the United States. With damage estimates soaring to $7 billion, it became a poignant chapter in the story of Charleston.
A Lasting Legacy
As we reflect on the 35 years since Hurricane Hugo, it’s a moment to remember the lives lost, the destruction faced, and the unity that emerged. While it’s easy to think of how far we’ve come, it’s even more important to honor the lessons learned from that stormy night 35 years ago—a night we will never forget.
