Sullivan's Island and Hurricane Hugo: Surviving the Storm

Local historians Jamie and Dorothy Moore have painstakingly documented the devastation, loss, and eventual rebuilding of the beloved island community in their book, Island in the Storm. On the night of September 21, 1989, Hurricane Hugo barreled into Sullivan's Island on the South Carolina coast with winds exceeding 160 miles per hour. The massive hurricane brought storm surges of five to ten feet above sea level, and as Hugo's eye passed over the island at approximately one minute after midnight, the charming seaside community was submerged beneath the raging sea for nearly an hour.

Following Hugo's departure, the first news broadcasts from the Charleston area reported that both Sullivan's Island and neighboring Isle of Palms had been completely destroyed. The Ben Sawyer Bridge, which was the only connection to the island at the time, was knocked off its pedestal and rendered unusable, preventing hundreds of evacuated families from returning home to assess the damage.

The recovery process began slowly, and for many, it was a long and difficult journey. More than 15 years later, the homes and businesses on Sullivan's Island have been restored, but the memory of Hugo's devastation remains vivid. The meticulous detail in Island in the Storm immerses readers in the island's tragic history, providing a vivid portrayal of the community's resilience in the face of overwhelming destruction.

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