Since North Myrtle Beach is along the Atlantic Ocean, hurricanes are a natural disaster we need to prepare for. Hurricane Season runs from June until November, with the peak in late-August to October. Throughout history, hurricanes have been known to cause major damage and fatalities.
Hurricane Facts
- Hurricanes Can Be Deadly. The deadliest hurricane to hit the United States was in 1900, in Galveston, Texas. 8,000 people were killed. The deadliest in South Carolina was The Sea Island Hurricane of 1893, killing between 1,000 to 2,000 people in Georgia and South Carolina (mostly Beaufort) combined. The deadliest hurricane in the last 50 years was Hurricane Katrina in 2005; a category 5 that hit parts of the gulf killing 1,500 people.
- Hurricanes Can Be Powerful. The hurricane with the highest wind speed was Hurricane Camille in 1969, hitting a speed of 190 miles per hour. Hurricane Hugo in 1989, a category 5 that hit South Carolina the hardest, had wind speeds up to 140 miles per hour.
- Hurricanes Can Be Costly. The costliest hurricane to hit the United States was Hurricane Katrina, costing a total of 108 billion dollars in damages. The costliest to hit South Carolina was Hurricane Hugo in 1989, totaling almost 6 billion in losses in South Carolina alone.
With some simple precautions and being prepared, we can be sure to stay safe during hurricane seasons. Here’s a few lists of things to do and have on hand in case of a major hurricane. Remember, in the event of a major hurricane, always tell your loved ones you are safe!
