Impacts of Hugo Timber Damage on Primary Wood Manufacturers in South Carolina

Abstract

Hurricane Hugo, which struck South Carolina in September of 1989, destroyed a significant proportion of the State's timber. Primary wood-products manufacturers in 26 counties were surveyed by mail questionnaire and personal interview to determine Hugo's impacts on their current and future operations. Competition for timber since Hugo has intensified, resulting in rising prices for timber and logs, expanding procurement areas, and declining quality of available timber. Manufacturers of solid-wood products have been impacted the most; a few firms have gone out of business and several face serious future survival problems. Hugo appears to have had little impact on pulp and paper manufacturers, which project an increasing volume of timber consumption in the future.

Keywords

hurricane Hugo, forest industry, wood-based manufacturing, timber volume, timber inventory

Citation

Syme, John H.; Saucier, Joseph R. 1992. Impacts of Hugo Timber Damage on Primary Wood Manufacturers in South Carolina. Gen. Tech. Rep. SE-80. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southeastern Forest Experiment Station. 28 p.