National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

This Day In Weather History

 
In 1954, Hurricane Hazel struck the coasts of North and South Carolina. Hazel was a category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds ranging from an estimated 140 to 150 mph. She demolished every pier along a 170-mile stretch from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to Cedar Island, North Carolina, where long rows of beach homes were obliterated. Hazel also destroyed around 1500 homes as she moved inland with a 15 to 20 foot storm surge. Hazel caused around $163 million damage and killed 98 people.

 


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