Twenty years ago today seems like yesterday...when Hurricane Hugo came barreling onshore, I was only 15 and scared to death. We were living in Summerville and I remember coming home from school to a frantic father scurrying to stock up on hurricane supplies. At 15, you really have no idea the impact a hurricane can have, so I was puzzled by my dad's behavior but I could feel that this was urgent. Although weather reports are far more advanced now, at the time, we were glued to the television praying that it would take a jog to the north, but no such luck. That night as the storm unleashed itself, my father, mother & I huddled in a hallway on the second floor of our home and my father covered us with couch cushions. I cried like crazy. It sounded like a locomotive. Not knowing what was happening outside made it worse as the storm howled, trees cracked and windows shattered. When the eye of the storm passed, it was so still it was as if someone had pressed pause on the VCR. But the second round came with a vengence and all we could do was wait it out. Over 25 trees fell around our home that night and luckily not ONE landed on any part of our home...we were very lucky. My aunt's house on Folly Beach was a different story..the only things remaining were the stilts of her home.

The day after Hugo was completely opposite of the thundering storm that it brought. I remember it like it was yesterday, the sky was as blue as could be and there were a handful of white fluffy clouds, the birds were chirping and it was hot.  Even though we were 25 miles from the shore, Hugo made an huge impact on us in Summerville as well. We went over 3 weeks without electricity...and trust me, once you go without it for that long you cherish it for the rest of your life! We took cold showers and heated canned foods on our charcoal grill.  The thought of going to school was far from anyone's mind, except when you're a teenager, all I wanted was to go back! After a few months, our neighborhood slowly got back to normal but it was a different normal...living through Hurricane Hugo was not only the scariest event I've experienced but it changed who my family & I are...I pray we never have to go through it again.

So...What have I learned from this storm?

Never underestimate the power of Mother Nature, she will slap you in the face harder than you would ever expect.

Hurricanes spawn thousands of tornadoes, so prepare for them.

"Things" are replaceable...Lives are not.

Never take for granted how easy we've all got it - even a warm shower was a luxury

And thank goodness my dad and mom were prepared!