Figure 1.17

Date: September 21, 1989, midnight

Landfall Location: Sullivan's Island, South Carolina (hit North Carolina just west of Charlotte).

Category: 1 (at landfall in N.C.), 5 (Highest)

Wind Speed: 85 miles per hour (North Carolina), 160 miles per hour (Highest)

Major Areas Affected: South Carolina; 29 counties in North Carolina (Brunswick County, Outer Banks, western part of North Carolina).

Major Damage Types: Structural, environmental, agricultural (timber 2.7 million acres damaged at $250 million)

Total Dollar Damage: $ 1 billion (North Carolina)

Deaths: 7 (North Carolina)

Injuries: Dozens

Structural Damage: Many homes completely destroyed or severely damaged.

Special Details: Although this storm made landfall in South Caroline, it did cause significant damage to parts of North Carolina. Severe storm surge with highest tide Near Bull's Bay, South Carolina (20 feet). Highest storm tide ever for the east coast of U.S. Severe beach erosion. Many inland counties affected (some 100 miles from the coast), large percentage without electricity, high winds, and extensive rainfall. Dissipated the protective dunes of the Barrier Islands (Long Beach, Holden Beach). At the time it hit, Hugo was the most expensive hurricane in U.S. history.

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