Were you here during Hugo and the recovery period following the Storm of the Century? View the video from 1989 for details you may have missed or forgotten!
This documentary vividly captures the buildup to Hurricane Hugo and the extensive recovery following the storm along the coast and in the interior. Ground-level footage captures the vistas of destruction seen at the time.
Robyn Zimmerman begins the program by saying, "Just a few hours after it began, it was all over. The rain, the wind, the anticipaiton of where it would land and the fear of what it might do. Slightly after midnight on Friday moring Hurricane Hugo vicioulsly attacked South Carolina with a vengeane neven seen before in this state, leaving behind miles and miles of devastation. It is a like a war zone here, a battle that nobody won."
Footage of Charleston shows some of the damage done along the Battery, and there are interviews with residents of the area talking about what they will do in response, and say that they will be back.
Tim Carrier discusses the ferry boat that provided the opportunity for residents to go to their property on the Isle of Palms. Some took it in stride but others were upset at the tight control. Even so, they were thankful for the ride provided by Captain George Campsen.
The devastation was astounding, But as bad as it was, many people were overjoyed that much of what they held dear remained, some, for the most part, intact.
By the following day, Wednesday, some residents were allowed to return to the island. They began the long task of cleaning up. There was simply nothing else to do.
Robyn interviews residents from Folly Beach. Footage of the exterior and interior damage is shown.
Robyn discusses the severity of the storm, and the water and wind, providing maps and the facts about the storm, stating that it began on Monday in Puerto Rico, skirted the Bahamas, then headed northwest toward South Carolina. With winds in excess of 135 miles per hour, it slammed into Charleston just after midnight on Friday, then plowed through the Midlands, and exited the state through Charlotte. The velocity of the winds is greatest along the right side of the hurricane. The area surrounding McClellanville received the peak of the storm surge, a 100 mile long wall of water that pushed through anything in its way. Because of high tide, the surge was between 11 and 15 feet along the coastline.
Tim reports on the efforts of volunteers to help in the shelter.
At the Rutledge Building in Columbia, techology is utilized to distribute information to the public. Evacuations were put into effect and lives were saved.
Listervelt Middleton visits James Island, Wadmalaw Island, Edisto Island, Yonges Island, and Johns Island, and talks with Pastor Alonzo Washington of Hebron and Zion Presbyterian Churches on Johns Island. Recovery will be difficult in these areas and jobs have been lost due to closings.
Mark Shaffer reports on Myrtle Beach and Surfside Beach, and talks with residents about how they plan to move forward.
In Garden City, we see footage of damage, but a veteran of Hazel, Jack Cockfield, says it will come back in time, like it did before. Others are not as optimistic.
The importance of volunteers and the impact they have had on people affected by Hugo is emphasized and appreciated. Many people have only the clothes on their back when they arrive to receive help.
In Sumter, the Director of City Planning, John Stockbridge, discusses how devastating the damage is, with tree damage, broken windows, damage to roofs, and water and power outages. Vic Jones, Director of Public Safety, discusses the need for water, which is being provided. He said it takes time to get these in motion.
Jim Welch reports on a family who left to seek safety at a family member's house, and returned to find that their trailer and all of their belongings had been destroyed.
A resident of Lee County discusses the damage to Bishopville. Another resident states that it isn't understood how much devastation their area received because people have the idea that the storm leapfrogged from Charleston to Charlotte, but the damage to Bishopville is severe.
A member of the SC National Guard discusses the donations brought by volunteers.
The damage to agriculture is discussed.
Patti Just reports on Clarendon County and states that they expected 70-75 mile per hour winds, but experienced a three-and-a-half hour siege of winds of 130 miles an hour. Betty Roper, Chairman of Clarendon County Council, speaks about the residents sleeping in schoolhouses and the task of rebuilding ahead. The damage totals $367 million in this county. Migrant workers who were here for cucumber season were here during the storm and many lost their homes.
Chuck Smith reports from Rock Hill. David Cameron, an insurance agent, discusses the calls that came in following the storm to report property damage. The City Manager of Fort Mill, John Hatchell, discusses the loss of electricity to their pumping stations and the shortage of water experienced.
In Lancaster, the City Council issues a curfew due to a power outage. Lt. Hugh White of Lancacster Police discusses the importance of protexcting the citizens. Puiblic utility workers have been working consistently to restore power. Paul Paskoff, City Manager of Lancaster, discusses the progress being made.
Charlotte Sottile reports on SC National Guard troops and power crews from nearby states who are traveling to rural areas to assist with restoring power. In Moncks Corner, she speaks with Jim Burton of Pinopolis. Hurricane Hugo caused the biggest power outage in the history of South Carolina. Amp Systems, Inc. of Savannah, is one of several companies assisting. Company president, Ken Ford, discusses the project. At the Santee Cooper Energy Control Center, Barry Inabinet, speaks about the trees that were down and the major project of clearing them. Bob Duncan, a team supervisor, said it was hard to describe, with trees broken 20 feet above the ground everywhere.
Charlotte explores the damage to the coast and compares footage of landmarks where they stood in 1988 to today, in Folly Beach (the Atlantic House Restaurant), the Sullivan's Island Lighthouse, Isle of Palms (the Windjammer, the fishing pier), Pawleys Island (with a new canal cut through), and Garden City (the Kingfisher Inn and the fishing pier) that no longer stands.
The program also previews Who Owns the Beach?, another SCETV program coming soon to ETV Classics.