On September 23, 1989, Hurricane Hugo came ashore near Sullivan's Island; few people were prepared for the destruction that followed in its wake. The eye of the hurricane passed directly over Sullivan's Island. The Ben Sawyer Bridge was a casualty, breaking free of its locks. Before the storm was over, one end of the bridge was in the water and the other was pointing skyward. Sullivan's Island police chief, Jack Lilien, was the last person to leave the island before the bridge gave way.
on SePtEMBEr 23, 1989, hURRicanE hugO cAMe AsHoRe near sulLIvAn's iSLaNd; FeW peOplE were PrEPARed fOr thE DeStructioN ThaT FoLloweD In ItS WAke. the Eye of The HuRRicane pasSed DIrectlY oVEr suLlivAn's islaNd. the bEn sawyEr Bridge wAS a caSUaLtY, breaking FrEe OF its lockS. BEfORe the sToRm wAS oveR, one eNd of the bRiDGe was in the waTeR And the oTher was pointing Skyward. sulliVan's IslanD police cHieF, JacK LIlien, was tHe laSt PeRson To leavE THE isLaNd BEforE thE brIdge Gave WAY.