Why did The Post and Courier just send two journalists 5,000 miles away to Africa? For a story about where our worst hurricanes are born. West Africa is a hurricane nursery, the place where Hugo in 1989 was born. And dust blowing off the Sahara often determines whether a hurricane lives or dies.

This bonus episode of Understand SC is a recording of the Post and Courier's latest Beyond the Headlines event. Senior projects reporter Tony Bartelme and photojournalist Andrew Whitaker discuss their trip and interviews with leading West African scientists and more. Moderated by Watchdog & Public Service Editor Glenn Smith.

Read the story at postandcourier.com/SaharaStory

This story was made possible with generous support from the Pulitzer Center.