Hurricane Gracie facts for kids

Hurricane Gracie was a very powerful storm, known as a hurricane, that happened in September 1959. This big storm moved around in an unpredictable way for five days. It then hit South Carolina as a strong Category 3 hurricane. Gracie caused about $14 million in damage. That's how much money things cost back in 1959. Sadly, 22 people lost their lives because of this storm.

Sometimes, really bad hurricanes have their names "retired." This means the name won't be used again for another storm. We don't know if the name Gracie was retired.

Gracie's Journey

Hurricane Gracie started forming in the Atlantic Ocean. It wasn't like most hurricanes that move in a straight line. Gracie wandered around for several days. It was hard for weather forecasters to predict exactly where it would go.

Where Did Gracie Go?

After moving unpredictably, Hurricane Gracie finally headed towards the United States. It made landfall, meaning it hit the coast, in South Carolina. This happened on September 29, 1959. The storm was very strong when it arrived.

How Strong Was Gracie?

When Hurricane Gracie hit South Carolina, it was a Category 3 hurricane. This means it had very strong winds. Category 3 hurricanes can cause a lot of damage. They are considered major hurricanes.

The Impact of Hurricane Gracie

Hurricane Gracie caused a lot of problems for the areas it hit. The strong winds and heavy rain led to widespread damage. People had to prepare for the storm and deal with its aftermath.

Damage and Effects

The storm caused about $14 million in damage. This included damage to homes, buildings, and farms. Power lines were knocked down, and trees were uprooted. The heavy rain also caused flooding in some areas. Sadly, 22 people died because of the storm's impact. This shows how dangerous hurricanes can be.

Remembering Gracie

After a hurricane causes a lot of damage or deaths, its name is sometimes "retired." This is done to honor the victims and to avoid confusion. It also prevents people from having to hear the name of a devastating storm again. For Hurricane Gracie, it's not clear if its name was officially retired.

Images for kids

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  Gracie's Rainfall across the United States