<P> Rainfall was moderate, due to the storm's fast motion, peaking at 10.28 in (261 mm) at Edisto Island . No widespread flooding was reported, though a combination of rain and strong winds resulted in significant agriculture losses . The Red Cross estimates that 3,307 single family homes were destroyed, 18,171 were inflicted major damage, and 56,580 sustained minor impact . Additionally, more than 12,600 mobile homes and 18,000 multi-family houses were either damaged or destroyed . Damage from Hurricane Hugo in South Carolina was estimated at $5.9 billion . Hugo remains the strongest and costliest hurricane in the history of the state . There were 35 deaths, two from asphyxiation, four from collapsing houses, two from falling trees, nine from fire and smoke inhalation, six from drowning, four from electrocutions, six from heart attacks, one fatal accidental self--injury during clean--up, and one from unknown cause . </P> <P> North Carolina's coastline suffered significant damage along its southward - facing beaches, including Brunswick County and the Outer Banks . </P> <P> The storm reached Charlotte at 3 AM, only six hours after landfall . By this time, it was still a fairly strong tropical storm with sustained winds of 54 mph (87 km / h) and gusts of 87 mph (140 km / h). This was enough to topple trees across roads and houses, leaving many without power, closing schools for as long as two weeks, and spawning several tornadoes . Charlotte is roughly 150 miles (240 km) inland, and many coastal residents from both Carolinas went there to wait out the storm . </P> <P> By 7: 00 am, it was still strong enough to cause heavy rain and tear down hundreds of trees in Conover . </P>

What was the wind speed of hurricane hugo when it hit charlotte