As we prepare ourselves for the next hurricane season, we feel that it is important to look back on Hurricane Hugo as a reminder that such storms are to be taken very seriously, no matter how safe we feel in our inland city. Above all else, we wish everyone in the pathway of any incoming storm to stay safe and prepared, should another Hugo-like situation come to pass. We urge you to use the devastating event in 1989 as an experience to learn from, to better plan and prepare.

Hurricane Hugo formed in the Atlantic and gained strength as it traveled along its path toward the Caribbean, Puerto Rico, and the U.S.

Teetering between Category 4 and Category 5, Hurricane Hugo made landfall just north of Charleston, South Carolina on September 22, with 140 m.p.h. winds recorded after it had already demolished areas in Guadeloupe, Montserrat, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Florida, and Georgia.

The devastation in Charleston was unimaginable. In addition to 120 m.p.h. winds, there was a record-breaking storm surge and flooding that caused structure collapses and chaos.

Costs incurred to South Carolina as a result of Hurricane Hugo totaled nearly $6 billion, and the hurricane still is considered the most devastating in the history of the state.

From Charleston, Hugo tore through the Western part of North Carolina and hit Charlotte in the early morning hours of September 22, while many residents slept in their homes.

Although downgraded to a tropical storm shortly before it struck Charlotte, Hugo was still packing gusts of winds ranging from 63 m.p.h. to 100 m.p.h., with heavy rain that carried the threat of flash flooding.

Many Charlotte residents woke up on the morning of September 22 to devastation and damage.

Harsh winds in Charlotte tore down 80,000 trees, toppling them over homes, businesses, and power lines. More than 700,000 residents were without power for weeks, and many schools and businesses were closed for much longer. Two deaths were reported near Charlotte; one, a child who perished when a tree fell on his home, and the other, a motorcyclist trying to reach safety who couldn't quite get out of the city in time.

Although destructive - like any disaster - the Charlotte community rallied together during this time and we saw neighbors helping neighbors for months after the storm had hit.

Do you have any memories of Hurricane Hugo? If so, feel free to share your stories with us in the comments below.

Are you proud to hail from a state as resilient as North Carolina? You should! Wear your state pride on your sleeve with this apparel from Wear Your Roots.

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/north-carolina/tornado-alley-nc/