2 Hurricane Helenes, both impacted SC; North Charleston woman was named after one

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Hurricane Helene lashed the South Carolina coast as a category 4 hurricane. But this storm was 66 years ago.

As yet another Hurricane Helene brought dangerous weather to South Carolina on Friday, one North Charleston woman and her family remember the storm she was named after in 1958.

It was a birthday to remember for Sonya Helene Laribo. Exactly 66 years ago, another Helene was barreling toward the Carolinas. The storm skirted the South Carolina coast and struck North Carolina.

Sonya was born that day.

Her mother, Margaret Williams, went into labor on September 27, 1958, in the middle of one of the worst storms she remembers in Charleston.

She gave her daughter the middle name “Helene” after the storm.

“After lots of laboring and pain and being afraid and being away from family she was born 6 pounds and 9 ounces. And when asked what are you going to call her, I said ‘Helene.’ I’m going to name her after this storm because I’ll never forget it,” said Williams.

Sonya’s 66th birthday was a familiar circumstance for the two women: weathering another Hurricane Helene.

“They said Helene, and everybody started calling: are you really going to have another storm? You brought a storm in when you were born and now, you’re going to have another storm after all these years?” said Sonya Helene Lairbo.

Hurricane Helene struck Florida on Thursday night as a powerful Category 4 storm. Its size and strength brought significant impacts to South Carolina. After riding out a morning filled with tornado warnings, strong winds, and heavy rain, Sonja and her mother celebrated the day alongside their family.

“I am blessed to be here today to see 66 years, I didn’t know Hurricane Helene was coming back but it’s just a blessing and honor and I think it’s time to retire from Hurricane Helene after this storm,” said Lairbo.