Hilton Head Island inundated by massive Hurricane Matthew
South Carolina’s golf-and-tennis resort Hilton Head Island took a serious blow Saturday as the eye ofHurricane Matthew passed 20 miles to the east. At least one gust of 87 mph was recorded at Hilton Head.
The two roads onto the island of 40,000 people were blocked by fallen pine trees, and many roads were under water. Signs were blown over, and power was out across the island.
Chandler Brunson and was among those trying to go back to her home after evacuating, but found her path blocked.
“I think we’re going to have a pine tree splitting our house,” she said. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”
About 10 sailboats were tossed together and washed ashore at the Palmetto Bay Marina on Hilton Head Island by the hurricane.
The docks at the marina appeared to have broken loose sometime early Saturday as Matthew’s surge ran up the Harbor River near the bridge on the Cross Island parkway.
Residents on the island also said that docks may have come loose at Harbour Town Golf Links, damaging boats. But that part of the island was inaccessible by vehicle Saturday afternoon.