1893 Sea Islands Hurricane
On August 27, 1893 a major hurricane which came to be known as the "Sea Islands Hurricane" struck the United States near Savannah, Georgia. The hurricane passed north over South Carolina on August 28. Reports from the time say that wind during landfall was around 120 mph. Pressure in Savannah was measured at 960 mb; modern estimates put the pressure around 931 mb at landfall. This makes the hurricane one of the most intense to have hit the mainland United States in the last 200 years. The hurricane carried with it a heavy tidal surge (16 feet, according to Clara Barton), which caused great destruction along the coastline and offshore islands in Georgia and South Carolina. An estimated 1,000-2,000 people were killed (mostly by drowning). 30,000 or more were left homeless as nearly every building along the barrier islands was damaged beyond repair. After the disaster, a 10-month relief effort was run by the American Red Cross, lead by Clara Barton.
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