1989 — Sep 18 (PR); 21-22 (SC/NC), Hurricane Hugo, also VA, NY, USVI –59-86

lornajarrettblanchard September 18, 1989

Internationally

— 107 Wikipedia. “Hurricane Hugo.” 6-2-2014 modification (citing Michael Grammaico).

–10 Antigua and Barbuda (1 direct; NHC. Prelim. Rpt…Hugo… 11-15-1989, 4.)

–12 Guadeloupe (11 direct; NHC. Prelim. Rpt…Hugo… 11-15-1989, 4.)

–21 Montserrat (10 direct; NHC. Prelim. Rpt…Hugo… 11-15-1989, 4.)

–11 Saint Kitts and Nevis (1 direct; NHC. Prelim. Rpt…Hugo… 11-15-1989, 4.)

–12 Puerto Rico

— 6 U.S.Virgin Islands

–35 United States (states)

— 90 Sylves, Richard. “Federal Emergency Management Comes of Age: 1979-2001.” p. 151.

–21 Guadeloupe and Montserrat

–12 Puerto Rico

–57 U.S. mainland

— 88 Wikipedia. “1989 Atlantic hurricane season.” 5-21-2014 modification.[1]

–71-86 Spignesi, Stephen J. The 100 Greatest Disasters of All Time. Citadel, 2002, p. 286.[2]

— 5 Guadeloupe

— 9 Montserrat

— 4 Nevis

–~35 U.S.

— 82 Barnes, Jay. North Carolina’s Hurricane History (Third Edition). 2001, p. 156.[3]

— 76 WSAZ News Channel 3, Charleston, WV. “Hurricane Hugo, 9-13-2010.

— 1 Antigua and Nevis

–11 Guadeloupe

–10 Montserrat

–12 Puerto Rico

–35 United States (breakout, though, totals 34)

— 1 New York

— 7 North Carolina

–20 South Carolina

— 6 Virginia

— 62 Aiken Standard, SC. “The ´80’s: Freedom Started, Ended Decade.” 12-31-1989, 1.[4]

— 56 Masters, Jeffrey. Remembering Hurricane Hugo (website), p. 10.

— 52 Licamele, Greg. Hurricane Hugo: The Storm, Coastal Development… 3-30-2004, p.9

–35 Carolinas –17 Caribbean

— 49 Direct. National Hurricane Center. Prelim. Report. Hurricane Hugo… 11-15-1989, p. 4.

— 49 Direct. NWS. Hurricane Hugo, May 1990, p. xi.

–26 “U.S. and its Caribbean islands.”

–23 Leeward Islands.

— 49 Rubin/Popkin. Disaster Recovery After Hurricane Hugo in South Carolina. 1990, p. 3.

Caribbean

— 33 AP. Hurricane relief effort bypassing the poor.” Kerrville Daily Times, TX. 10-16-1989, 5.

United States, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands: (59-86)[5]

— 86 NCDC. Billion-Dollar Weather/Climate Disasters. “Hurricane Hugo Sept. 1989.”[6]

— 86 Townsend. “Table 1.2 Worst Natural Disasters in the United States, 1900-2005.” 2006.

–68-85 Blanchard tally of State and Territory breakouts below.

— 82 USCOE. South Carolina Hurricane Evacuation Restudy Technical…Rpt., 2000, 1-9.[7]

— 79 American Red Cross Disaster Services, cited in: NWS. Hurricane Hugo, May 1990, p.7.

–50 Carolinas (mostly SC)

–22 Puerto Rico

— 5 St. Croix

— 2 St. Thomas and St. John

— 59 CDC and Philen on SC and PR (44), plus NY, NC, VA, and U.S. Virgin Islands.

— 57 Burt and Stroud. Extreme Weather: A Guide & Record Book. 2004, p. 205.

— 57 NCDC, “Billion Dollar US Weather Disasters 1980-1994.”

— 55 Blanchard tally of identifiable fatalities noted below.

— 44 CDC (35 in SC and 9 in PR)

— 44 Philen, et al. “Hurricane Hugo-related deaths: South Carolina and [PR], 1989.” p. 9.[8]

— 8 drownings.

— 8 blunt trauma (falling trees and parts of buildings).

–11 electrocutions.

— 9 house fires started by candles.

— 1 asphyxiation under an uprooted tree.

— 1 chain-saw laceration.

— 6 stress-related hearth attacks.

— 29 AP. “Bridge Linking Mainland, Islands Back…” Aiken Standard, SC. 10-7-1989, 7.

— 26 Direct (“U.S. and its Caribbean islands.” NWS. Hurricane Hugo, May 1990, p. xi.

— 26 USGS. Summary of Significant Floods in the US, PR, and the VI, 1970-1989. 2008.

U.S. Mainland:

— 49-51 Blanchard tally of U.S. mainland fatalities noted below.

— 29 AP. Hurricane relief effort bypassing the poor.” Kerrville Daily Times, TX. 10-16-1989, 5.

— 21 Direct. National Hurricane Center. Prelim. Report. Hurricane Hugo… 11-15-1989, p. 4.

—>19 (SC/>18, NY/1). Struby (Ed.). Hurricane Hugo and the Grand Strand. Dec 1989, p. 7.

Summary of U.S. State, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands Fatalities

New York ( 1)

North Carolina ( 7)

South Carolina: (35-37)

Virginia ( 6)

Puerto Rico ( 9-24)

U.S. Virgin Islands ( 10)

Breakout by States, Puerto Rico Territory and U.S. Virgin Islands Insular Area

New York ( 1)

— 1 Direct. NWS. Hurricane Hugo, May 1990, p. 7; NHC. Prelim. Rpt…Hugo… 11-15-1989, 4.

— 1 Western NY. Tree limb falls on car killing a passenger.[9]

North Carolina ( 7)[10]

–1-7 Blanchard tally based on sources noted below (only one fatality could be identified.)[11]

— 7 Barnes, Jay. North Carolina’s Hurricane History (Third Edition). 2001, p. 156.

— 7 Capital Times, Madison, WI. “Bush pays visit to Charleston…” 9-30-1989, 4.

— 7 Faupel and Kelly. Individual and Household…to Hurricane Hugo. 1991, p. 5.[12]

— 7 NC Dept. of Public Safety. 1989 Hurricane Season. Tropical Storm Hugo, Sept. 22.[13]

— 7 Orange County Register, CA. “Many Carolinians desperate in wake of Hugo.” 9-25-1989, 1

— 7 Schneider, S. K. Flirting with Disaster: Public Management in Crisis Situation, 1995, 122.

— 7 WRAL.com, Raleigh. “N.C.’s five most destructive hurricanes.” 7-31-2008, 7-22-2011.

— 7 WSAZ News Channel 3, Charleston, WV. “Hurricane Hugo, 9-13-2010.

— 4 AP. “Battered Charlotte still dark.” Spartanburg Herald-Journal, SC. 9-25-1989, B2.

— 4 AP. “…Coast Struggles Back to Life” (cont. from 1A). Aiken Standard, SC. 9-24-1989, 13.

— 1 Direct. NWS. Hurricane Hugo, May 1990, 7; NHC. Prelim. Rpt…Hugo… 11-15-1989, 4.

— 1 Union County, Sep 22. Tree fall into home kills six-month-old baby.[14]

— 0 NCDC. Storm Events Database. Search Results for All Counties in North Carolina.

South Carolina: (35-37)

—>56 Faupel and Kelly. Individual and Household…to Hurricane Hugo. 1991, 4.[15]

–28 Direct —<28 Indirect

— 37 Blanchard tally of locality breakouts below

— 35 CDC.[16]

— 29 Injury deaths directly related to the hurricane. (CDC)

–6 Drownings. (CDC)

–5 Bring boats inland from Charleston on the Cooper River. CDC.

–1 Mobile home struck by storm surge, female. (CDC)

–7 Trauma/Crushing. (CDC)

–4 Mobile homes. (CDC)

–1 House collapse. (CDC)

–1 Tree fall onto house, male. (CDC)

–1 Tree fall onto car, male. (CDC)

— 6 Natural – heart attacks attributed to stress associated with hurricane, post-impact.

— 35 Janiskee. “The Changing South. ‘Storm of the Century’: Hurricane Hugo…” 1990, p. 63.

— 35 OJP DOJ. Community Crisis Response Team Training Manual: 2nd Ed. (App. D).

— 35 Philen, et al. “Hurricane Hugo-related deaths: [SC] and [PR], 1989.” p. 54.[17]

— 35 SC Emergency Management Division. Hurricane Hugo 25[18] Fact Sheet. 5-29-2014.

–13 direct. –22 indirect.

— 35 SC State Climatology Office. Hurricanes and Tropical Storms Affecting SC.

— 35 South Carolina State Climatology Office. South Carolina Hurricane Climatology.

— 29 AP. “Hugo Chosen as Top Story of Year in [SC].” Aiken Standard. 12-31-1989, 6B.[19]

— 27 Barnes, Jay. North Carolina’s Hurricane History (Third Edition). 2001, p. 156.

— 27 NAS. Hurricane Hugo, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Charleston… 1994, p. 8.

–13 direct (7 wind-related and 6 water/boating) –14 indirect[20]

— 26 Burbage, John M. and Jason Lesley (Eds.). Hurricane Hugo. Evening Post Books. 2009.

—>26 The State, Columbia, SC. “The 26 who lost their lives.” 8-12-2009. Accessed 6-13-2014

–6 Drownings, –6 Fires, –9 Crushing –2 Electrocution –2 Heart attack –1 Chain saw

— 26 Whitesell. “Hurricane Hugo” (Transcription of Memorial, 9-21-1990). SC Gen. Trails.

— 21 WCSC, Charleston, SC. “Charleston remembers Hurricane Hugo 20 years later.” 9-21-09.

— 20 WSAZ News Channel 3, Charleston, WV. “Hurricane Hugo, 9-13-2010.

—>18 AP. “Month Later, Shrimp Village Worries About…” Aiken Standard. 10-23-1989, 2A.

—>18 AP. “Bridge Linking Mainland, Islands Back in Place.” Aiken Standard, SC. 10-7-1989, 7.

— 18 AP. “Aid flows into rural areas razed by Hugo.” Indiana Gazette, PA. 9-28-1989, p. 4.

— 17 UPI. “Funds sought on massive rebuild plan.” New Castle News, PA. 9-26-1989, p. 2.

—>14 AP. “…Coast Struggles Back to Life” (cont. from 1A). Aiken Standard. 9-24-1989, 13.

— 13 Direct. NWS. Hurricane Hugo, May 1990, 7; NHC. Prelim. Rpt…Hugo… 11-15-1989, 4

— 13 Direct. Rubin and Popkin. Disaster Recovery After Hurricane Hugo in South Carolina. P3

— 10 AP. “Charleston Takes Hugo’s Best Shot.” Daily News Record, VA. 9-23-1989, 1.[21]

— 9 AP. “Destruction Trails Hugo Across S.C.” Aiken Standard, SC. 9-23-1989, 1.

— 7 Shae Sutton, Vital Records, SC Dept. of Health and Environmental Control, 6-13-2014.[22]

— 0 NCDC. Storm Events Database. “Search Results for All Counties in South Carolina…”

Fatalities by County Breakout:

— 10 Berkeley. Faupel/Kelly. Individual and Household…to Hurricane Hugo. 1991, 3-4.[23]

–2 Direct –8 Indirect

— 8 Berkeley. Philen, et al. “Hurricane Hugo-related deaths: [SC] and [PR], 1989.” p. 54.

— 8 Berkeley County. Wikipedia, “User: 12george1/Effects of…Hugo in [SC].” 5-11-2014.

–1 Heart attack. –1 Mobile home collapse. –1 Struck by tree limb. –5 Drownings.[24]

— 7 Berkeley County.[25]

— 6 Berkeley County. Blanchard tally based on identifiable breakouts below.

–1 Berkeley Co., Cooper Riv., Sep 22. Drowning; moved boat upriver, male, 30.[26]

–1 “ Goose Creek, Sep 28. Tree fall during cleanup; boy, 8.[27]

–1 “ ~Jamestown, Sep 24. Heart attack; male, 87, after seeing home damage.[28]

–1 “ St. Stephen, Sep 21. Crushed; mobile home debris falls on female, 41.[29]

–2 “ Wando River, near Wando, Sep 22. Drownings; male 38, female, 41.[30]

— 5 Berkeley County. Drownings.[31]

— >3 Berkeley County Emergency Management.[32]

— 0 Berkeley County.[33]

— 1 Calhoun County. Tree fall traps, asphyxiates, woman, 27.[34]

–28-33 Charleston. Charleston County coroner.[35]

–13 Direct –15-20 Indirect

— 6 Charleston County. Blanchard tally based on cause of death breakouts below.[36]

–1 Charleston County, Charleston, Sep 22. Crushing in rubble of house, male, 57.[37]

–1 Charleston County, Charleston, Sep 22. Crushing in house collapse; male, 67.[38]

–2 Charleston Co.,?[39] Cooper Riv., Sep 21/22. Drownings on river; males 58 and 59.[40]

–1 Charleston Co., Sep 21/22. Drowning; storm surge in mobile home; female, 78.[41]

–1 Charleston Co., near Ladson, Sep 25 of Sep 24 wound. Power saw injury; male, 57.[42]

— 4 Charleston. Philen, et al. “Hurricane Hugo-related deaths: [SC] and [PR], 1989.” p54.[43]

— 3 Clarendon, Pinewood, Sep 24. House candle fire; no power; mother, 20, girl, 3, boy, 1.[44]

— 1 Darlington County, Hartsville, Sep 24. Tree limb fall during cleanup; male, 43.[45]

— 1 Dillon County, near Dillon, ~Sep 24. Fire, candles in house without power; male, 76.[46]

— 5 Dorchester. Philen, et al. “Hurricane Hugo-related deaths: [SC] and [PR], 1989.” p. 54.

— 5 Dorchester Co. Heart attacks. Wikipedia. “User: 12george1/…in [SC].” 5-11-2014.[47]

— 4 “ (indirect). Faupel/Kelly. Individual and Household…Hugo. 1991, 4.[48]

— 1 Georgetown Co., near Georgetown, Sep 27. Mobile home fire, candles; female, 65.[49]

— 1 Horry County, near Conway, Sep 22. Fire from candle, house, no power; girl, 8.[50]

— 1 Kershaw Co., Cassatt, Sep 27. Heart attack repairing storm damaged home; male, 74.[51]

— 1 Lee Co., Woodrow/Dalzell vicinity, Sep 22. Mobile home collapse; male, 32 or 34.[52]

— 5 Orangeburg County (eastern).[53]

–1 Eutawville, Sep 22. Mobile home thrown by wind; male (Samuel Middleton), 69.[54]

–1 Electrocution; touched wire screen touching fallen electric wire; male (Sutcliffe), 41.[55]

–3 Fire from candles in home without power; Bryant family members.[56]

— 1 Richland County, Eastover, Sep 22. Crushing from tree fall on parked car; male, 30.[57]

— 2 Sumter Co. Philen, et al. “Hurricane Hugo-related deaths: [SC] and [PR], 1989.” p. 54.

–1 Sumter, Mayesville, Sep 21/22. Infant (13 mo.) crushed; mobile home flips.[58]

–1 Sumter Co. Electrocution; male, 22, re-wiring home.[59]

— 1 Williamsburg Co., Kingstree, Sep 25. Electrocution; downed wire in yard; male, 59.[60]

— 1 York County,[61] Sep 22. Electrocution; Fort Mill utility lineman, male, 58.[62]

Phase:

— 0 Pre-impact phase. (CDC)

–13 Impact phase. (CDC)

–22 Post-impact phase. (CDC)

–9 Smoke inhalation/burns in five house fires; candles in homes without power.[63]

–4 Electrocution.

–2 Tree falls

–1 Chainsaw injury death.

Virginia ( 6)

–6 Direct. National Hurricane Center. Preliminary Report. Hurricane Hugo… 11-15-1989, 4.

–6 Direct. National Weather Service. Nat. Dis. Survey Rpt. Hurricane Hugo, May 1990, p. 7.

–6 AP. “Hugo Leaves Carolinians ‘At Wit’s End’.” Daily News-Record, VA, 9-25-1989, p. 1.

–6 Barnes, Jay. North Carolina’s Hurricane History (Third Edition). 2001, p. 156.

–6 Roth, David, and Hugh Cobb. Virginia Hurricane History. Late Twentieth Century.

–6 WSAZ 3, Charleston, WV (Josh Fitzpatrick). “Hurricane Hugo.” 9-18-2011.

–2 AP. “Charleston cleans up after Hurricane Hugo.” Kerrville Daily Times, TX. 9-24-1989, 2A

–0 NCDC. Storm Events Database. “Search Results for All Counties in Virginia.”

Virginia County Breakout:

–4 Floyd Co., Willis section, Sep 22. Fire, candles; mother, 35, children, 10 (F), 3 and 2 (M).[64]

Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands: (19-34)

–5 direct 29 indirect[65]

–34 Direct. NAS. Hurricane Hugo, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Charleston… 1994, p.3.

Puerto Rico (9-24)

–9-24 Blanchard tally.[66]

— 22 American Red Cross Disaster Services, cited in: NWS. Hurricane Hugo, May 1990, p. 7.

— 12 Wikipedia. “Hurricane Hugo.” 6-2-2014.

— 9 CDC. “Deaths Associated with…Hugo – Puerto Rico.” MMWR, 38(39), 10-6-1989.[67]

–1 Electrocuted removing outside TV antenna pre-impact, male, 57.

–1 Drowning in home during storm; female, 94.

–1 Drowning on boat during storm, male, 60.

–5 Electrocutions post-storm; electric utility workmen, 28, 30, 35, 37, and 42.

–1 Electrocution; contacted downed electric cable while chopping tree, male, 35.

— 2 Direct. NWS. Hurricane Hugo, May 1990, p. 7.

— 9 NAS. Hurricane Hugo, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands… 1994, p. 71.[68]

–2 Drownings (direct) –7 Indirect (mostly public utility worker electrocutions)[69]

— 2 Direct. National Hurricane Ctr. Preliminary Report. Hurricane Hugo… 11-15-1989, 4.

— 0 NCDC. Storm Events Database. Search Results for All (Zone), (Puerto Rico).

U.S. Virgin Islands (10)

— 10 Blanchard tally.[70]

— 7 Indirect. NAS. Hurricane Hugo, Puerto Rico…Virgin Islands…Charleston… 1994, 3.[71]

— 7 American Red Cross Disaster Services, cited in: NWS. Hurricane Hugo, May 1990, p. 7.

–5 St. Croix. American Red Cross Disaster Services, cited in: NWS. Hugo, p. 7.

–2 St. Thomas and St. John. ARC Disaster Services, cited in: NWS. Hugo, p. 7.

–4-6 AP, Christiansted. “Virgin Islands Officials: ‘Send food, not troops’.” 9-23-1980, A8.[72]

— 3 Direct. NWS. Hurricane Hugo, May 1990, 7; NHC. Prelim. Rpt…Hugo… 11-15-1989, 4.

Age Range (SC and PR)[73]

Age South Carolina Puerto Rico

Male Female Male Female

0-9 5 2 — —

10-19 — — — —

20-29 1 2 1 —

30-39 4 1 4 —

40-59 2 2 1 —

59-59 6 — 1 —

60-69 3 3 1 —

> 70 3 1 — 1

Cause of Death (Identifiable) (55)

Pre-impact phase (Identifiable) ( 1)

–1 PR Electrocution when removing an outside TV antenna

Impact Phase (Identifiable Direct Deaths) (20)

Blunt Trauma, Tree/Limb Falls ( 4)

–1 NY, western. Tree limb falls on car killing a passenger. (NWS)

–1 NC, Union County, Sep 22. Tree fall into home kills six-month-old baby.

–1 SC, Calhoun County. Tree fall traps, asphyxiates, woman, 27.[74]

–1 SC, Richland County, Eastover, Sep 22. Crushing from tree fall on parked car; male, 30.

Blunt Trauma, House/Mobile Home Collapse ( 6)

–1 SC, Berkeley County, St. Stephen, Sep 21. Crushed; mobile home debris falls on female, 41.

–1 SC, Charleston County, Charleston, Sep 22. Crushing in rubble of house, male, 57.

–1 SC, Charleston County, Charleston, Sep 22. Crushing in house collapse; male, 67.

–1 SC, Lee Co., Woodrow/Dalzell vicinity, Sep 22. Mobile home collapse; male, 32 or 34.[75]

–1 SC, Eutawville, Sep 22. Mobile home thrown by wind; male (Samuel Middleton), 69.

–1 SC, Sumter, Mayesville, Sep 21/22. Infant (13 mo.) crushed; mobile home flips.

Drowning (10)

–1 PR Drowning in boats or while attempting to move boats during storm.

–1 PR Storm surge; did not evacuate home.

–5 SC, Berkeley County. Drownings.[76]

–1 SC. Berkeley Co., Cooper River, Sep 22. Drowning; moved boat upriver, male, 30.

–2 SC, Berkeley Co., Wando Riv., near Wando, Sep 22. Drownings; male 38, female 41.

–2 SC, Charleston Co.,?[77] Cooper River, Sep 21/22. Drownings on river; males 58 and 59.

–1 SC, Charleston Co., Sep 21/22. Drowning; storm surge in mobile home; female, 78.

Cause not noted (3-5)

–2 VA. NWS. Hurricane Hugo, May 1990, p. 7; NHC. Prelim. Rpt…Hugo… 11-15-1989, 4.[78]

–3 PR. (NWS notes 2 PR direct deaths (drownings), but the ARC notes 5 of uncertain cause.[79]

–3 USVI. NWS. Hurricane Hugo, May 1990, 7; NHC. Prelim. Rpt…Hugo… 11-15-1989, 4.

Post-Impact Phase (Identifiable) (34)

Accidents during cleanup ( 2)

–1 SC Asphyxiated while trapped under an uprooted tree.

–1 SC, Charleston Co., near Ladson, Sep 25 of Sep 24 wound. Power saw injury; male, 57.

Electrocution (10)

–5 PR. Electrocutions post-storm; electric utility workmen, 28, 30, 35, 37, and 42.

–1 PR. Electrocution; contacted downed electric cable while chopping tree, male, 35.

–1 SC, Orangeburg Co. Electrocution; touched wire screen on fallen electric wire; male, 41.

–1 SC, Sumter County. Electrocution; male, 22, re-wiring home.

–1 SC, Williamsburg Co., Kingstree, Sep 25. Electrocution; downed wire in yard; male, 59.

–1 SC, York County, Sep 22. Electrocution; Fort Mill utility lineman, male, 58.

Fire (burns/smoke inhalation) (13)

–3 SC, Clarendon, Pinewood, Sep 24. House candle fire; no power; mother, 20, girl, 3, boy, 1.

–1 SC, Dillon County, near Dillon, ~Sep 24. Fire, candles in house without power; male, 76.

–1 SC, Georgetown County, near Georgetown, Sep 27. Mobile home fire, candles; female, 65.

–1 SC, Horry County, near Conway, Sep 22. Fire from candle, house, no power; girl, 8.

–3 SC, Orangeburg Co. Fire from candles in home without power; Bryant family members.

–4 VA, Floyd Co., Willis sec., Sep 22. Fire, candles; mother, 35, children, 10 (F), 3 and 2 (M).

Health Related ( 7)

–1 SC, Berkeley Co,, ~Jamestown, Sep 24. Heart attack; male, 87, after seeing home damage.[80]

–5 SC Dorchester County. Heart attacks.[81]

–1 SC, Kershaw Co., Cassatt, Sep 27. Heart attack repairing storm damaged home; male, 74.

Tree Falls ( 2)

–1 SC, Berkeley County, Goose Creek, Sep 28. Tree fall during cleanup; boy, 8.

–1 SC, Darlington County, Hartsville, Sep 24. Tree limb fall during cleanup; male, 43.

Cause of Death not Noted

— 6 NC

— 1 SC, Calhoun. Philen, et al. “Hurricane Hugo-related deaths: [SC] and [PR], 1989.” p. 54.

— 1 SC, Sumter Co. Philen, et al. “Hurricane Hugo-related deaths: [SC] and [PR], 1989.” p. 54.

— 2 VA. NWS. Hurricane Hugo, May 1990, p. 7; NHC. Prelim. Rpt…Hugo… 11-15-1989, 4.[82]

–13 PR. (Nine CDC identifiable and 13 others noted by American Red Cross not identified.)

— 7 USVI.

Day of Deaths (SC and PR)[83]

Day of Injury Puerto Rico South Carolina

Sep 17-30 Sep 21-Oct 4

Pre-impact -1 1 —

Impact 0 2 13

Post-impact 1 1 5

2 — 1

3 1 1

4 1 —

5 — 1

6 — 1

7 1 3

8 — 2

9 — —

10 2 1

11 — 1

12 — —

Gender: SC and PR: Males (32) Females (12)

Narrative Information

CDC (on PR): “At 9 a.m. eastern daylight time on Monday, September 18, 1989, the eye of Hugo, the North Caribbean’s strongest hurricane (a category four on a scale of five) in a decade, struck the northeast corner of Puerto Rico. Hugo’s path extended from the Lesser Antilles and the Virgin Islands (where it struck on September 17) to South Carolina and areas of North Carolina (where it came ashore during the late evening and early morning of September 21-22). Wind velocities in San Juan were measured at up to 100 mph; wind gusts elsewhere measured as high as 140 mph. These winds damaged nearly 25% of homes on Puerto Rico, left approximately 75% of the island without power, and created 30-foot swells off the east coast. Heavy rains accompanying the hurricane caused some flash flooding.” (CDC. “Deaths Associated with Hurricane Hugo – Puerto Rico.” Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), Vol. 38, No. 39, 10-6-1989, pp. 680-682.)

CDC (on SC): “At 11:57 p.m. eastern daylight time on Thursday, September 21, 1989, the eye of Hurricane Hugo struck the coast of South Carolina north of Charleston (Figure 1). Peak wind velocities in Charleston were measured at 135 mph, and there was an accompanying tidal surge of 12-17 feet. Heavy rains caused additional flooding and further damage. In addition to the damage or destruction to homes and buildings, approximately 900,000 persons in North and South Carolina were left without electrical power. After striking the coast, Hugo moved across central South Carolina and North Carolina. On September 22, the National Weather Service downgraded Hugo to a tropical storm.” (CDC. “Medical Examiner/Coroner Reports of Deaths Associated with Hurricane Hugo – South Carolina.” MMWR, V. 38, No. 44, 11-10-1989, p. 759.)

SCSCO: Made landfall at Isle of Palms near Charleston, SC on September 21 with winds of 140 mph and gusts up to 160 plus. “…costliest storm in South Carolina’s history at over 6 billion dollars, 35 related fatalities, storm surge 20+’, severe inland damage as winds gusting to 109 mph at Sumter, SC.” (SC State Climatology Office. Hurricanes and Tropical Storms Affecting SC.)

SCSCO: “Hugo (September 1989) made landfall as a Category 4 Hurricane near Sullivan’s Island and immediately was downgraded to Category 3. It continued on a northwest track at 25-30 miles per hour and maintained hurricane force winds as far inland as Sumter. Hugo exited the State southwest of Charlotte, N.C., before sunrise on September 22. The hurricane caused 13 directly related deaths and 22 indirectly related deaths, and it injured several hundred people in South Carolina. Damage in the State was estimated to exceed $7 billion, including $2 billion in crop damage. The forests in 36 counties along the path of the storm sustained major damage.” (SCSCO. South Carolina Hurricane Climatology.)

Struby on SC and NC: “Friday, Sept. 22:

“Hugo slams into the S.C. coast around midnight with 135 mile-per-hour winds. At least 18 are killed in South Carolina. Some 64,000 are left homeless, and 270,000 are left jobless.

“The state Department of Insurance estimates $3.17 billion in insured losses alone, but many homes are uninsured. Agricultural losses are estimated at $67 million, including timber. Gov. Campbell says damage in the state is $4 billion to $5 billion.

“The storm destroys about 5,400 S.C. homes, according to the American Red Cross.

“Almost 18,000 miles of roads in the state are damaged or covered with debris, according to highway department officials.

“About 5,900 structures in North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach, Georgetown County and Charleston are damaged or destroyed, says a S.C. Coastal Council spokeswoman. Electricity, water and sewer services are knocked out.

“National Guardsmen are brought in to hard-hit areas to prevent looting, enforce curfews and prevent sightseeing.

“Fierce winds whip Charlotte, N.C., overturning and snapping trees. Damage is estimated at more than $370 million.

“Twenty-two S.C. counties and 13 N.C. counties will be declared disaster areas.

“By mid-Friday, Hugo is downgraded to a tropical storm and loses even that designation when its winds drop below 40 miles per hour around Pittsburgh.” (Struby (Ed.). Hurricane Hugo and the Grand Strand. Dec 1989, p. 7.)

USCOE: “Hugo struck Charleston, South Carolina on September 21, 1989 as a category 4 storm. Hugo ranked as the eleventh most intense hurricane at time of landfall to strike the United States this century and is rated as the second costliest hurricane with over $8.5 billion[84] in damages. Hugo’s storm surge was the highest ever recorded on the East Coast and exceeded 20 feet NGVD just north of Charleston. The total number of deaths associated with Hugo is 82.” (USCOE, South Carolina Hurricane Evacuation Restudy Technical Data Report, 2000

USGS: “Hurricane Hugo caused severe coastal and riverine flooding during September. Before striking the southeastern United States, Hugo devastated the Virgin Islands and eastern Puerto Rico with coastal flooding due to storm surges of as much as 11 ft and riverine flooding from more than 10 in. of rain in a 2-day period. When the hurricane hit South Carolina, storm surges of as much as 20 ft flooded the coastal areas. The hurricane killed 26 persons and caused $9 billion in damages (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1990).” (USGS. Summary of Significant Floods in the US, PR, and the VI, 1970-1989. 2008.)

Sources

AccuWeather.com. “Remembering Hurricane Hugo from 1989.” 9-22-2011. Accessed 6-4-2014 at: http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/remembering-hurricane-hugo-fro/55359

Aiken Standard (Keith Ward, AS staff writer), SC. “The ´80’s: Freedom Started, Ended Decade.” 12-31-1989, 1. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=106722424&sterm

Associated Press, St. Stephen, SC. “Aid flows into rural areas razed by Hugo.” Indiana Gazette, Indiana, PA. 9-28-1989, p. 4. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=110394062&sterm

Associated Press, Charlotte. “Battered Charlotte still dark.” Spartanburg Herald-Journal, SC. 9-25-1989, B2. Accessed 6-10-2014 at: http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1876&dat=19890925&id=-LQeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=t84EAAAAIBAJ&pg=6984,4017426

Associated Press. “Bridge Linking Mainland, Islands Back in Place.” Aiken Standard, SC. 10-7-1989, 7. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=106639884&sterm=hurricane

Associated Press, Charleston, SC. (Bruce Smith). “Charleston cleans up after Hurricane Hugo.” Kerrville Daily Times, TX. 9-24-1989, 2A. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=112384265&sterm=hugo+virginia

Associated Press. “Charleston Takes Hugo’s Best Shot. Storm Leaves 11 Dead in Carolinas.” Daily News Record, Harrisonburg, VA. 9-23-1989, p. 1. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=150548572&sterm=hugo

Associated Press. “…Coast Struggles Back to Life” (cont. from 1A). Aiken Standard, SC. 9-24-1989, 13. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=106639660&sterm

Associated Press, Charleston. “Destruction Trails Hugo Across S.C.” Aiken Standard, SC. 9-23-1989, p. 1. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=106639643&sterm

Associated Press. “Hugo Blamed For Blaze That Killed Mother, Kids.” Daily News-Record, Harrisonburg, VA. 9-25-1989, p. 25. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=150548604&sterm=hugo+virginia

Associated Press (Eva Parziale). “Hugo Chosen as Top Story of Year in South Carolina. Aiken Standard, SC. 12-31-1989, p. 6B. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=104028030&sterm=hugo

Associated Press, Charleston, SC. “Hugo Leaves Carolinians ‘At Wit’s End’.” Daily News-Record, Harrisonburg, VA, 9-25-1989, p. 1. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=150548592&sterm=hugo+virginia

Associated Press, Charleston (Bruce Smith). “Hugo Ravages Charleston. Death Toll Stands at 3.” Aiken Standard, SC, 9-22-1989, 1. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=106639629&sterm=hurricane+hugo

Associated Press, Charleston, SC (Bruce Smith). “Hugo’s victims scramble for food, water.” Gettysburg Times, PA. 9-25-1989, p. 12A. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=9329200&sterm=hugo

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Associated Press. “Month Later, Shrimp Village Worries About Rebuilding.” Aiken Standard, SC. 10-23-1989, 2A. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=104070626&sterm

Associated Press (Bruce Smith). “Rain delays rebuilding of Hugo-stricken towns.” Gettysburg Times, PA, 10-3-1989, 6A. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=9330532&sterm

Associated Press, Christiansted, U.S. Virgin Islands. “Virgin Islands Officials: ‘Send food, not troops’.” Appeal-Democrat, Marysville, CA, 9-23-1980, A8. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=194214511&sterm=hugo

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Faupel, Charles E. (Department of Sociology, Auburn Univ.) and Susan P. Kelly (Department of Behavioral Sciences, Charleston Southern University). Individual and Household Response to Hurricane Hugo (Final Report). Washington, DC: pursuant to National Science Foundation Grant # BCD – 9005107, 1991. Accessed 6-10-2014 at: http://hrrc.arch.tamu.edu/media/cms_page_media/558/91-06Rch.%2B1-3.pdf

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National Climatic Data Center. Storm Events Database. “Search Results for All Counties in South Carolina. All Available Event Types…between 09/21/1989 and 09/23/1989 (3 days).” NCDC, NOAA, U.S. Dept. Of Commerce. Accessed 6-4-2014 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/listevents.jsp?eventType=ALL&beginDate_mm=09&beginDate_dd=21&beginDate_yyyy=1989&endDate_mm=09&endDate_dd=23&endDate_yyyy=1989&county=ALL&hailfilter=0.00&tornfilter=0&windfilter=000&sort=DT&submitbutton=Search&statefips=45%2CSOUTH+CAROLINA

National Climatic Data Center. Storm Events Database. “Search Results for All Counties in Virginia. All Available Event Types…between 09/20/1989 and 09/23/1989 (4 days).” NCDC, NOAA, U,S, Dept. of Commerce. Accessed 6-10-2014 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/listevents.jsp?eventType=ALL&beginDate_mm=09&beginDate_dd=20&beginDate_yyyy=1989&endDate_mm=09&endDate_dd=23&endDate_yyyy=1989&county=ALL&hailfilter=0.00&tornfilter=0&windfilter=000&sort=DT&submitbutton=Search&statefips=51%2CVIRGINIA

National Climatic Data Center. Storm Events Database. Search Results for All (Zone), (Puerto Rico). 0 events were reported between 09/17/1989 and 09/19/1989 (3 days).” NCDC, NOAA, U.S. Dept. of Commerce. Accessed 6-10-2014 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/listevents.jsp?eventType=ALL&beginDate_mm=09&beginDate_dd=17&beginDate_yyyy=1989&endDate_mm=09&endDate_dd=19&endDate_yyyy=1989&county=ALL&hailfilter=0.00&tornfilter=0&windfilter=000&sort=DT&submitbutton=Search&statefips=99%2CPUERTO+RICO

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[1] “Lesser Antilles, (Puerto Rico), Southeaster United States (South Carolina), Northeastern United States, Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic Canada.”

[2] “The death toll for Hugo has been reported as ranging from 71 to 86, depending on the source, and depending on whether or not only the mainland United States is used for the calculation, or the total of all locales Hugo hit is factored into the sum. Most sources use the figure of 71.”

[3] Notes that several other lives were lost during the cleanup.

[4] Not clear what this death toll figure refers to – U.S., Internationally? Notes: “Hugo struck South Carolina on Sept. 20, devastating Charleston, and tearing a destructive path through much of the state and into North Carolina. The death toll rose to 62, and the latest damage estimates put the cost at more than $6 billion.

[5] We have reason to believe (from CDC on CD, Philen on SC and PR, plus NY, NC, VA and USVI, that there were 59 deaths. The higher figures noted herein are not broken out so as to be able to identify and corroborate.

[6] Writes: Category 4 hurricane devastates South and North Carolina with ~20 foot storm surge and severe wind damage after hitting Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.”

[7] “Hugo struck Charleston, South Carolina on September 21, 1989 as a category 4 storm. Hugo ranked as the eleventh most intense hurricane at time of landfall to strike the United States this century and is rated as the second costliest hurricane with over $8.5 billion in damages. Hugo’s storm surge was the highest ever recorded on the East Coast and exceeded 20 feet NGVD just north of Charleston. The total number of deaths associated with Hugo is 82.”

[8] Medical examiners and coroners contacted for this study identified 44 hurricane-related deaths in Puerto Rico and South Carolina from the day before Hugo struck the area to 12 days afterward. Among the dead were 32 men and 12 women, ranging in age from 1 year old to 94.”

[9] Capital Times, Madison, WI. “Bush pays visit to Charleston, pledges more aid.” 9-30-1989, p. 4.

[10] Left phone message for Julia Jarema, Public Information Officer, N.C. Dept. of Public Safety, 6-12-2014. Left msg. for Sharon, Case Mgmt., N.C. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, 6-12-2014.

[11] A number of references, including newspaper reports at the time reported seven Hugo-related deaths, but we have only been able to identify one fatality.

[12] We extrapolate from statement that “A total of 13 hurricane related deaths were reported in these two states [NC and VA]. We show below, reports of 6 VA fatalities, thus extrapolate 7 for NC, which matches several sources.

[13] Simply writes that “Seven deaths were reported.”

[14] AccuWeather.com. “Remembering Hurricane Hugo from 1989.” 9-22-2011. Another account (AP, Charleston (Smith). “Hugo Ravages Charleston. Death Toll Stands at 3.” Aiken Standard, SC, 9-22-1989, 1.), which provides the date, notes that the victim was an infant. AP, next day notes age as six months.

[15] We have not been able to find to corroborate the figures Faupel and Kelly report, thus we do not use them.

[16] “As part of the Medical Examiner and Coroner (ME/C) Information Sharing Program at CDC, public health officials, using contact information in Medical Examiner and Coroner Jurisdictions in the United States (1), asked ME/Cs in 25 South Carolina counties in the path of Hurricane Hugo to report 1) the number of deaths in their jurisdictions that they investigated between September 21 and October 6; 2) the number of these deaths that were related to the hurricane; and 3) for the 35 deaths reported as hurricane related, information about the demographic characteristics, cause, and circumstances of each death.”

[17] “We defined a case as any death that an MEC [Medical Examiner or Coroner] was hurricane-related and that occurred…in any of 25 South Carolina counties on or between September 21` and October 4, 1989.”

[18] 25^thanniversary.

[19] Writes that “Hurricane Hugo, packing winds of 135 mph, slammed into Charleston shortly before midnight on Sept. 21. By the time the storm reached North Carolina the next morning, it had cut a swath of destruction over 500 square miles, leaving 29 dead and nearly $6 billion in damage in its wake.”

[20] “The 14 deaths not occurring during the storm itself were primarily from cleanup accidents and open flames used for light.”

[21] Quoted is the SC Office of Emergency Preparedness and Berkeley County Coroner to effect that there were eight deaths “in counties surrounding Charleston and one in the Columbia area.” Also notes Charleston elderly man death.

[22] Telephone conversation with Wayne Blanchard. Ms. Sutton noted this was result of query of death certificates, with the problem being that death certificates do not usually note a relationship between a death and a disaster.

[23] State: “Berkeley County reported only two direct deaths and eight additional storm related deaths.”

[24] Boat capsizes in Santee River. Have not been able to corroborate. Nearest data point found has been five deaths due to drowning when their boat capsized in this river in 1974 (Georgetown County, SC. Hazard Mitigation Plan, 2009, p. A-11).

[25] Sun Sentinel, FL (Kathleen Kernicky). “South Florida Couple Aboard Sailboat Die in Hugo.” 9-29-1989. [Five were noted as drownings.]

[26] The State, Columbia, SC. “The 26 who lost their lives.” 8-12-2009. Article notes that this James Island victim (Paul Christopher Spencer) who was trying to protect his boat from the storm by moving it upriver, was found drowned in Berkeley County. Also: Whitesell, D. “Hurricane Hugo” (Memorial Plaque). SC Genealogy Trails.

[27] The State, Columbia, SC. “The 26 who lost their lives.” 8-12-2009. Victim identified as Christopher Mounts, who had gone with his father to help a friend clear downed trees from his property.

[28] Victim was Norman Wrenn who lived in the Francis Marion National Forest near Jamestown. He had evacuated and upon returning home “saw everything he had, totally demolished.” Collapsed and died of massive coronary failure, according to county coroner. (The State, Columbia, SC. “The 26 who lost their lives.” 8-12-2009.) According to Whitesell. “Hurricane Hugo” (Transcription of Memorial Plaque. South Carolina Genealogy Trails., Mr. Wrenn was 84 and was from Bonneau, SC.

[29] The State, Columbia, SC. “The 26 who lost their lives.” 8-12-2009. According to article, Cheryl Lee Christianson [or Christiansen] and her husband (from Troy NY) were visiting relatives and spending the night in their mobile home. “`About 11 o’clock at night the trailer started rocking. The trailer lifted up off the foundation. The lights were off. There were a couple of candles and my nephew scurried over to blow them out. Just as he did the wind picked up again and completely demolished the trailer on top of us. ‘My wife and I were still alive at this point. We saw what appeared to be daylight and we tried to get out when the front wall collapsed on us. We crawled on our stomachs through the front of the trailer, and we made it to our car. We got inside of our car. Another trailer was ripped off its steel frame. It smashed in the side of our car. We felt we were safer outside on the ground. We got out of the car and laid on the ground. We were there for a few moments. The wind blew some more, and it tore the bottom of the trailer off and blew it over the top of the car, on my wife. From what I understand, it crushed her immediately’.”

[30] Sun Sentinel, FL (Kathleen Kernicky). “South Florida Couple Aboard Sailboat Die in Hugo.” 9-29-1989. Victims identified as Brian A. Jackson and Kathleen Kelly Jackson, from Fort Lauderdale, FL, who sailed their sailboat, The Wave, up the Wando River, seeking protection from the hurricane. The boat capsized and “the two bodies were found on a lawn nearby.” Also: The State, Columbia, SC. “The 26 who lost their lives.” 8-12-2009.

[31] Sun Sentinel, FL (Kathleen Kernicky). “South Florida Couple Aboard Sailboat Die in Hugo.” 9-29-1989. Cites for the statement “we had 100 or so more boats that came up the river trying to ride out the storm…As a result, we had five drownings [including Jackson couple],” deputy Berkeley County coroner, Charles Langston. The figure five probably include Page and Hutson, whom we have listed under Charleston County, where they lived.

[32] Talked with staff on 6-12-2014 who indicated that there may have been one direct death (though not sure), but “several” indirect accident deaths following during the cleanup and recovery phase.

[33] Talked with Bill Salisbury, Berkeley County Coroner, who stated that he was in the county, though not the coroner, in 1989 and that there were no Hurricane Hugo-related deaths in the county.

[34] Philen, et al. “Hurricane Hugo-related deaths: [SC] and [PR], 1989.” p. 54; Wikipedia, “User: 12george1/Effects of Hurricane Hugo in South Carolina.” 5-11-2014 update.

[35] Cited in: Faupel and Kelly. Individual and Household Response to Hurricane Hugo (Final Report). Washington, DC: National Science Foundation, 1991, p. 3. Statement is: “The coroner of Charleston County reported a total of 13 direct deaths in the county, but that there were an additional 15-20 storm related deaths.”

[36] Talked with staff person (T. Vickers), Charleston County Coroner’s Office, June 11, and emailed Hugo file. Seeking detailed information which would narrow or remove range of 4-33 Charleston County fatalities. Emailed back on June 17^th that their records were not electronically kept then and one would need a name to search in warehoused files for a death certificate.

[37] The State, Columbia, SC. “The 26 who lost their lives.” 8-12-2009. Victim identified as Arthur McCloud.

[38] The State, Columbia, SC. “The 26 who lost their lives.” 8-12-2009. Victim identified as Isiah Mack.

[39] The two Charleston men were attempting to move their 45-foot trawler up the river into Berkeley County before the storm. Article simply notes they “were found drowned on the Cooper River the day after the storm.” Google county maps do not include the Cooper River in either Charleston or Berkeley County. One can see how sources might include their deaths in either county or both. Incontrovertible, though, is that they were Charleston residents.

[40] The State, Columbia, SC. “The 26 who lost their lives.” 8-12-2009. Robert Lee Page, 59, and Harold Hutson, 58.

[41] The State, Columbia, SC. “The 26 who lost their lives.” 8-12-2009. Victim was Trudy Ball who lived on east side of Cooper River where storm surge “water rose nearly 10 feet around her home…”

[42] The State, Columbia, SC. “The 26 who lost their lives.” 8-12-2009, Victim was Ernest Reeves who was trying to save dogs trapped at Papermaker Hunting Club near Ladson. “As Reeves was cutting a log about 14 inches in diameter, the saw whipped back and cut his neck. His companions drove him 23 miles to meet paramedics…”

[43] Talked with staff, Charleston County, SC, Emer. Mgmt., 6-12-2014, who recalled just four deaths in the county.

[44] The State, Columbia, SC. “The 26 who lost their lives.” 8-12-2009. Victims: Teresa Sinkler, 20, Kelly Sinkler, 3, and Dyrell Sinkler, 1, who lived near Pinewood. Also: Philen, et al. “Hurricane Hugo-related deaths…” 54.

[45] The State, Columbia, SC. “The 26 who lost their lives.” 8-12-2009. Victim identified as Calvin Jackson.

[46] The State, Columbia, SC. “The 26 who lost their lives.” 8-12-2009. Victim identified as Ras Junior McClellan, who was mobility impaired. See, also: Philen, et al. “Hurricane Hugo-related deaths: [SC] and [PR], 1989.” p. 54.

[47] Cites: Jay Hollifield and S. C. Lackey. Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena: September 1989. Asheville, NC: National Climatic Data Center, retrieved 1-17-2013.

[48] Cites Ken Harrell, Emergency Management Director.

[49] The State, Columbia, SC. “The 26 who lost their lives.” 8-12-2009. Victim was Betty Dillinger. Power out.

[50] The State, Columbia, SC. “The 26 who lost their lives.” 8-12-2009. Victim was Amanda Carroll. See, also: Philen, et al. “Hurricane Hugo-related deaths: [SC] and [PR], 1989.” p. 54.

[51] The State, Columbia, SC. “The 26 who lost their lives.” 8-12-2009. Victim identified as Manning C. Rodgers.

[52] The State, Columbia, SC. “The 26 who lost their lives.” 8-12-2009. Victim identified as Frierson Wilson Jr., 32, father of twelve, who, according to this article, was thrown from the mobile home. See also: Sumter Item, SC. “Hugo hits Sumter.” 9-22-2004; Philen. “Hurricane Hugo-related deaths: [SC]…1989.” 54. Another source (Whitesell), has the name as “Erlerson Wilson, Jr, 32, Daizell, SC.” There is a Dalzell, SC, which is in Sumter County. This might explain why Philen, et al., show two deaths in Sumter county, though we have been able to identify but one.

[53] Times and Democrat, Orangeburg, SC. “Gratitude amid memories of Hurricane Hugo.” 9-21-2013; Philen, et al. “Hurricane Hugo-related deaths…1989.” p. 54; The State, Columbia, SC. “The 26 who lost their lives.” 8-12-2009.

[54] The State, Columbia, SC. “The 26 who lost their lives.” 8-12-2009; Whitesell, D. “Hurricane Hugo” (Transcription of Memorial Plaque). South Carolina Genealogy Trails; Wikipedia, “User: 12george1/Effects of Hurricane Hugo in South Carolina.” 5-11-2014 update.

[55] The State, Columbia, SC. “The 26 who lost their lives.” 8-12-2009; Wikipedia, “User: 12george1/Effects of Hurricane Hugo in South Carolina.” 5-11-2014 update.

[56] Wikipedia, “User: 12george1/Effects of Hurricane Hugo in South Carolina.” 5-11-2014 update.

[57] The State, Columbia, SC. “The 26 who lost their lives.” 8-12-2009. Victim identified as Terry Capers.

[58] Sumter Item, SC. “Hugo hits Sumter.” 9-22-2004. Reference is to Lamont Davis, 13 months, when mobile home “flipped and smashed into the ground.” (The State, Columbia, SC. “The 26 who lost their lives.” 8-12-2009.)

[59] Wikipedia, “User: 12george1/Effects of Hurricane Hugo in South Carolina.” 5-11-2014 update.

[60] The State, Columbia, SC. “The 26 who lost their lives.” 8-12-2009. Victim was Leroy Crosby [or Crosly] Jr., who was clearing storm damage from his back yard. See, also: Philen, et al. “Hurricane Hugo-related deaths….” 54.

[61] Philen, et al. “Hurricane Hugo-related deaths: [SC] and [PR], 1989.” p. 54.

[62] Victim identified as Samuel Winecoff. (The State, Columbia, SC. “The 26 who lost their lives.” 8-12-2009.)

[63] One of these was a woman and two children who died on Sep 24. (AP, Charleston, SC (Bruce Smith). “Hugo’s victims scramble for food, water.” Gettysburg Times, PA. 9-25-1989, p. 12A.)

[64] AP. “Hugo Blamed For Blaze That Killed Mother, Kids.” Daily News-Record, Harrisonburg, VA. 9-25-1989, 25. Candles were being used because “the storm knocked out power to the area.” Victims identified as Linda Brown Webb, 35, Susan Webb, 10, Jessie Webb, 3, and James Webb, 2.

[65] Citing American Red Cross Disaster Services.

[66] The nine noted by the CDC are certain. The NAS Hugo report writes (p.3) that “the American Red Cross Disaster Services reported 29 hurricane-related (indirect deaths: 22 on Puerto Rico, 5 on St. Croix, and 1 each on St. Thomas and St. John. Most of the deaths were either drownings or electrocutions.” The line above this sentence in the NS report notes that there were five direct deaths in the U.S. Virgin Island and Puerto Rico. The NWS writes more specifically that there were two direct deaths in Puerto Rico. Thus taking 2 direct and 22 indirect we arise at the figure of 24.

[67] ?From September 18 to September 29, the medical examiner in Puerto Rico investigated nine deaths considered to be related to the hurricane.”

[68] Cites the Centers for Disease Control.

[69] Cotes El Vocero, October 16, 1989, p. 5; and San Juan Star, November 10, 1989, p. 9.

[70] The NWS reports 3 direct fatalities and the ARC reports 7 indirect, for a total of 10.

[71] Cites American Red Cross Disaster Services noting 5 on St. Croix, and 1 each on St. Thomas and St. John.

[72] U.S. Virgin Islands Lt. Gov Derek Hodge is quoted on “at least four” fatalities, and a Red Cross official for six.

[73] Philen, et al. “Hurricane Hugo-related deaths: [SC] and [PR], 1989.” p. 55.

[74] Philen, et al. “Hurricane Hugo-related deaths: [SC] and [PR], 1989.” p. 54; Wikipedia, “User: 12george1/Effects of Hurricane Hugo in South Carolina.” 5-11-2014 update.

[75] The State, Columbia, SC. “The 26 who lost their lives.” 8-12-2009. Victim identified as Frierson Wilson Jr., 32, father of twelve, who, according to this article, was thrown from the mobile home. See also: Sumter Item, SC. “Hugo hits Sumter.” 9-22-2004; Philen. “Hurricane Hugo-related deaths: [SC]…1989.” 54. Another source (Whitesell), has the name as “Erlerson Wilson, Jr, 32, Daizell, SC.” There is a Dalzell, SC, which is in Sumter County. This might explain why Philen, et al., show two deaths in Sumter county, though we have been able to identify but one.

[76] Sun Sentinel, FL (Kathleen Kernicky). “South Florida Couple Aboard Sailboat Die in Hugo.” 9-29-1989. Cites for the statement “we had 100 or so more boats that came up the river trying to ride out the storm…As a result, we had five drownings [including Jackson couple],” deputy Berkeley County coroner, Charles Langston. The figure five probably include Page and Hutson, whom we have listed under Charleston County, where they lived.

[77] The two Charleston men were attempting to move their 45-foot trawler up the river into Berkeley County before the storm. Article simply notes they “were found drowned on the Cooper River the day after the storm.” Google county maps do not include the Cooper River in either Charleston or Berkeley County. One can see how sources might include their deaths in either county or both. Incontrovertible, though, is that they were Charleston residents.

[78] The NWS in its Hurricane Hugo report, and the NHC in its Preliminary Report, both note 6 direct deaths. We have identified four indirect deaths from a home fire from candles after the storm. Fire deaths are not direct deaths in NHC or NWS usage. If, however, these four are amongst the six noted as direct deaths, that would leave two, whose cause of death was not identified. We highlight in that these two unidentified deaths could also be indirect.

[79] Since this is indirect sourcing I have not been able to substantiate, I am not counting these deaths.

[80] Victim was Norman Wrenn who lived in the Francis Marion National Forest near Jamestown. He had evacuated and upon returning home “saw everything he had, totally demolished.” Collapsed and died of massive coronary failure, according to county coroner. (The State, Columbia, SC. “The 26 who lost their lives.” 8-12-2009.) According to Whitesell. “Hurricane Hugo” (Transcription of Memorial Plaque. South Carolina Genealogy Trails., Mr. Wrenn was 84 and was from Bonneau, SC.

[81] Wikipedia, “User: 12george1/Effects of Hurricane Hugo in South Carolina.” 5-11-2014 update. Philen, et al. “Hurricane Hugo-related deaths: [SC]…1989.” p. 54, also report five hurricane-related deaths for the county but do not attribute causality. Faupel and Kelly (Individual and Household…Hugo. 1991, p. 4), note four Hugo-related indirect deaths in the county (citing Ken Harrell, Emergency Management Director).

[82] The NWS in its Hurricane Hugo report, and the NHC in its Preliminary Report, both note 6 direct deaths. We note four indirect deaths from a home fire being lit by candles following the storm. Fire deaths are not direct deaths in NHC or NWS usage. If, however, these four are amongst the six noted as direct deaths, that would leave two, whose cause of death was not identified. We highlight in that these two unidentified deaths could also be indirect.

[83] Philen, et al. “Hurricane Hugo-related deaths: [SC] and [PR], 1989.” p. 55.

[84] Adjusted to 1996 dollars on basis of U.S. Dept. of Commerce Implicit Price Deflator for Construction.