Infamous 1960 hurricane rocked West Ashley and forever changed the face of Avondale
The Lowcountry is breathing a little easier after hurricane season officially ended. But there are still stories to be shared from experiences that have blown through. In modern times, most of us have stories about “Hugo” (Sept. 1989).
Step back in time and people will tell you of their experiences with “Hazel” (Oct. 1954), “Gracie” (Sept. 1959), and maybe even Hurricane Donna (1960). Hurricane Donna was the strongest hurricane of the 1960 Atlantic season, causing extensive damage and mortality from the Lesser Antilles to New England. According to a 2008 report by the National Hurricane Center, “Donna” was the only hurricane to impact the entire East Coast with hurricane winds — no state was left untouched. Thus, the name “Donna” was retired and replaced with “Dora”.
Although the hurricane did not make landfall in South Carolina, it was a tornado that spawned from the storm that created the havoc. On September 11, 1960 an F3 tornado was first sighted at the Ben Sawyer Bridge; it traveled across the harbor to the peninsula, landing near Anson Street and damaging the Bennett Rice Mill building; next impact was the Ashley River Bridge; then the Avondale area; and finally dissipating at the St. Andrew’s Shopping Center. This path was illustrated on the front page of the Monday morning, Sept. 12, 1960, edition of The News & Courier.
The greatest damage was experienced among the Avondale shops along Savannah Highway and in the St. Andrew’s Center. Roofs were taken, glass was shattered and signs became projectiles. The two storied building that housed Lyerly’s Cleaners lost the second story to the tornado.
Business owners sought shelter in grease pits at service centers and in the backs of their buildings. Residents of both Avondale and Byrnes Downs spoke of black skies, deafening roars, bombs dropping and explosions; with the residents of 24 Craven Ave. taking a direct hit.
Several people recounted the feeling of being sucked out of the space they were in. The harrowing details are described in two articles: “Tornado Impact Stuns Residents of Avondale” and “Grease Pit Proves Very Good Shelter” that appeared in The News & Courier the very next day.
Today the Avondale and St. Andrew’s Center are thriving. Only the former Lyerly’s Cleaners single-story building, that now houses the Charles Towne Fermentory, stands as a reminder to a wild wind.
Stories about West Ashley weather events? Contact Donna Jacobs at westashleybook@gmail.
