Tornado Alerts Near Sparta, NC 28675

🌪️ Current Alert Status

Live NWS tornado and severe weather alerts

✅

All Clear

No active tornado alerts near Sparta

There are currently no tornado warnings, watches, or severe thunderstorm alerts in effect for the Sparta area. This page updates every 60 seconds from the National Weather Service.

Historical Tornado Risk

Activity level Moderate

Average per year 4.8 tornados

Peak season month May

Total on record 242 tornados

📋 Tornado History

Historical tornado events within 250 miles of Sparta

EF Rating	Damage	Path	Casualties	Distance	Date
EF0	Light damage	3 mi × 50 yd	None	97 mi	Dec 29, 2024
EF0	Light damage	1 mi × 75 yd	None	100 mi	Dec 29, 2024
EF0	Light damage	1.7 mi × 30 yd	None	119 mi	Dec 29, 2024
EF0	Light damage	0.2 mi × 50 yd	None	125 mi	Sep 25, 2024
EF1	Moderate damage	0.6 mi × 75 yd	None	40 mi	Sep 25, 2024
EF0	Light damage	0.4 mi × 25 yd	None	89 mi	Sep 25, 2024
EF0	Light damage	2.3 mi × 30 yd	None	90 mi	May 8, 2024
EF1	Moderate damage	8.2 mi × 60 yd	0 dead, 2 hurt	85 mi	May 8, 2024
EF1	Moderate damage	7.9 mi × 100 yd	None	80 mi	May 8, 2024
EF1	Moderate damage	13.4 mi × 100 yd	None	80 mi	May 8, 2024
EF1	Moderate damage	6 mi × 150 yd	None	27 mi	Apr 11, 2024
EF1	Moderate damage	1.5 mi × 250 yd	None	53 mi	Jan 9, 2024
EF1	Moderate damage	7.5 mi × 250 yd	1 dead, 4 hurt	59 mi	Jan 9, 2024
EF1	Moderate damage	0.3 mi × 35 yd	None	47 mi	Aug 15, 2023
EF1	Moderate damage	2.6 mi × 35 yd	None	49 mi	Aug 14, 2023
EF1	Moderate damage	13.5 mi × 550 yd	None	56 mi	Aug 7, 2023
EF1	Moderate damage	6.2 mi × 50 yd	None	78 mi	Aug 7, 2023
EF1	Moderate damage	0.6 mi × 30 yd	None	93 mi	May 16, 2023
EF1	Moderate damage	0.6 mi × 30 yd	None	101 mi	May 16, 2023
EF0	Light damage	0.6 mi × 15 yd	None	108 mi	May 7, 2023
EF0	Light damage	6.1 mi × 100 yd	None	80 mi	Jan 12, 2023
EF1	Moderate damage	2.2 mi × 150 yd	None	10 mi	Jul 5, 2022
EF0	Light damage	N/A	None	83 mi	May 26, 2022
EF0	Light damage	0.2 mi × 25 yd	None	88 mi	May 26, 2022
EF1	Moderate damage	5.3 mi × 200 yd	None	109 mi	May 23, 2022
EF1	Moderate damage	6.2 mi × 150 yd	None	39 mi	Mar 23, 2022
EF1	Moderate damage	1.7 mi × 200 yd	None	46 mi	Aug 17, 2021
EF1	Moderate damage	3.4 mi × 200 yd	None	49 mi	Aug 17, 2021
EF1	Moderate damage	0.5 mi × 150 yd	None	100 mi	May 3, 2021
EF0	Light damage	0.6 mi × 20 yd	None	71 mi	Apr 10, 2021
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 20 yd	None	95 mi	Apr 10, 2021
EF0	Light damage	8.6 mi × 100 yd	None	93 mi	May 22, 2020
EF1	Moderate damage	6.5 mi × 200 yd	None	96 mi	May 22, 2020
EF1	Moderate damage	6.3 mi × 200 yd	None	99 mi	May 22, 2020
EF2	Considerable damage	2.7 mi × 200 yd	None	132 mi	Apr 13, 2020
EF1	Moderate damage	3.5 mi × 150 yd	None	91 mi	Feb 6, 2020
EF2	Considerable damage	5.1 mi × 150 yd	None	93 mi	Feb 6, 2020
EF0	Light damage	0.5 mi × 100 yd	None	75 mi	Feb 6, 2020
EF1	Moderate damage	7 mi × 100 yd	None	79 mi	Feb 6, 2020
EF0	Light damage	0.2 mi × 30 yd	None	90 mi	Jun 8, 2019
EF0	Light damage	0.5 mi × 75 yd	None	39 mi	Apr 19, 2019
EF0	Light damage	6.1 mi × 100 yd	None	76 mi	Apr 19, 2019
EF0	Light damage	1.1 mi × 100 yd	0 dead, 1 hurt	77 mi	Apr 19, 2019
EF0	Light damage	0.4 mi × 50 yd	None	62 mi	Apr 19, 2019
EF1	Moderate damage	1.6 mi × 200 yd	None	133 mi	Apr 14, 2019
EF0	Light damage	1.1 mi × 75 yd	None	98 mi	Apr 15, 2018
EF1	Moderate damage	0.6 mi × 150 yd	None	15 mi	Oct 23, 2017
EF1	Moderate damage	8.6 mi × 275 yd	0 dead, 1 hurt	25 mi	Oct 23, 2017
EF1	Moderate damage	8.2 mi × 200 yd	1 dead, 0 hurt	41 mi	Oct 23, 2017
EF1	Moderate damage	5.7 mi × 500 yd	None	49 mi	Oct 23, 2017
EF1	Moderate damage	0.8 mi × 750 yd	None	50 mi	Oct 23, 2017
EF1	Moderate damage	3.9 mi × 1300 yd	None	54 mi	Oct 23, 2017
EF2	Considerable damage	1 mi × 300 yd	None	55 mi	Oct 23, 2017
EF0	Light damage	1.7 mi × 100 yd	None	68 mi	Oct 23, 2017
EF1	Moderate damage	1.5 mi × 100 yd	None	69 mi	Oct 23, 2017
EF1	Moderate damage	9.2 mi × 100 yd	None	79 mi	Oct 23, 2017
EF0	Light damage	9.1 mi × 100 yd	None	89 mi	Oct 23, 2017
EF0	Light damage	0.3 mi × 100 yd	None	97 mi	Oct 23, 2017
EF1	Moderate damage	9.4 mi × 100 yd	None	99 mi	Oct 23, 2017
EF2	Considerable damage	4.6 mi × 150 yd	None	102 mi	Oct 23, 2017
EF1	Moderate damage	3.3 mi × 150 yd	None	102 mi	Oct 23, 2017
EF0	Light damage	2.7 mi × 150 yd	None	24 mi	Oct 8, 2017
EF1	Moderate damage	4.4 mi × 300 yd	None	27 mi	Oct 8, 2017
EF1	Moderate damage	6.7 mi × 400 yd	None	49 mi	Oct 8, 2017
EF0	Light damage	2.4 mi × 100 yd	None	53 mi	Oct 8, 2017
EF1	Moderate damage	0.6 mi × 200 yd	None	109 mi	Oct 8, 2017
EF1	Moderate damage	1.4 mi × 200 yd	None	111 mi	Oct 8, 2017
EF1	Moderate damage	2.2 mi × 250 yd	None	61 mi	Oct 8, 2017
EF0	Light damage	2.2 mi × 75 yd	None	70 mi	Oct 8, 2017
EF0	Light damage	11.3 mi × 100 yd	None	81 mi	Oct 8, 2017
EF1	Moderate damage	0.1 mi × 100 yd	None	98 mi	Oct 8, 2017
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 40 yd	None	44 mi	May 12, 2017
EF0	Light damage	2.7 mi × 50 yd	None	62 mi	May 1, 2017
EF0	Light damage	0.5 mi × 100 yd	None	84 mi	Oct 14, 2014
EF0	Light damage	1 mi × 50 yd	None	114 mi	Oct 14, 2014
EF0	Light damage	7.1 mi × 300 yd	None	79 mi	Jul 27, 2014
EF1	Moderate damage	0.5 mi × 50 yd	None	79 mi	Jul 27, 2014
EF0	Light damage	0.6 mi × 70 yd	None	61 mi	Mar 1, 2012
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 75 yd	None	53 mi	Jan 11, 2012
EF2	Considerable damage	4.2 mi × 300 yd	0 dead, 8 hurt	62 mi	Jan 11, 2012
EF2	Considerable damage	3.8 mi × 200 yd	0 dead, 10 hurt	88 mi	Jan 11, 2012
EF0	Light damage	0.4 mi × 50 yd	None	85 mi	Nov 16, 2011
EF1	Moderate damage	1.3 mi × 250 yd	None	10 mi	Sep 5, 2011
EF0	Light damage	0.4 mi × 150 yd	None	42 mi	Aug 18, 2011
EF0	Light damage	0.8 mi × 100 yd	None	95 mi	May 26, 2011
EF0	Light damage	4.2 mi × 50 yd	None	63 mi	May 24, 2011
EF1	Moderate damage	4.3 mi × 75 yd	None	43 mi	Apr 28, 2011
EF1	Moderate damage	4.5 mi × 100 yd	0 dead, 1 hurt	48 mi	Apr 28, 2011
EF2	Considerable damage	2.7 mi × 880 yd	None	39 mi	Apr 28, 2011
EF3	Severe damage	16.9 mi × 1320 yd	4 dead, 50 hurt	46 mi	Apr 28, 2011
EF2	Considerable damage	9.3 mi × 1000 yd	1 dead, 0 hurt	87 mi	Apr 27, 2011
EF3	Severe damage	4.3 mi × 1000 yd	1 dead, 70 hurt	92 mi	Apr 27, 2011
EF1	Moderate damage	0.4 mi × 300 yd	None	26 mi	Apr 27, 2011
EF1	Moderate damage	0.5 mi × 200 yd	None	30 mi	Apr 27, 2011
EF2	Considerable damage	12 mi × 250 yd	2 dead, 0 hurt	48 mi	Apr 27, 2011
EF1	Moderate damage	3.9 mi × 500 yd	None	88 mi	Apr 27, 2011
EF3	Severe damage	11.9 mi × 1500 yd	6 dead, 33 hurt	99 mi	Apr 27, 2011
EF0	Light damage	2.3 mi × 300 yd	None	103 mi	Apr 27, 2011
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 50 yd	None	107 mi	Apr 27, 2011
EF1	Moderate damage	3.9 mi × 100 yd	None	48 mi	Apr 27, 2011
EF0	Light damage	0.5 mi × 50 yd	None	60 mi	Apr 27, 2011
EF2	Considerable damage	4.2 mi × 150 yd	None	84 mi	Apr 27, 2011
EF2	Considerable damage	4.6 mi × 150 yd	None	88 mi	Apr 27, 2011
EF0	Light damage	1 mi × 50 yd	None	85 mi	Apr 9, 2011
EF1	Moderate damage	0.6 mi × 100 yd	None	71 mi	Apr 9, 2011
EF1	Moderate damage	3 mi × 150 yd	None	74 mi	Apr 9, 2011
EF0	Light damage	0.5 mi × 75 yd	0 dead, 3 hurt	81 mi	Apr 9, 2011
EF0	Light damage	0.9 mi × 50 yd	None	67 mi	Apr 9, 2011
EF0	Light damage	0.4 mi × 40 yd	None	88 mi	Apr 9, 2011
EF0	Light damage	1.5 mi × 50 yd	None	124 mi	Feb 28, 2011
EF0	Light damage	0.3 mi × 30 yd	None	93 mi	Oct 26, 2010
EF0	Light damage	0.5 mi × 40 yd	None	99 mi	Oct 26, 2010
EF2	Considerable damage	2.5 mi × 100 yd	None	56 mi	Oct 26, 2010
EF0	Light damage	4.7 mi × 40 yd	None	124 mi	Oct 26, 2010
EF0	Light damage	0.7 mi × 100 yd	None	67 mi	Oct 26, 2010
EF2	Considerable damage	2.6 mi × 200 yd	0 dead, 11 hurt	69 mi	Oct 26, 2010
EF1	Moderate damage	2.6 mi × 75 yd	None	70 mi	Sep 27, 2010
EF1	Moderate damage	3.2 mi × 650 yd	None	69 mi	Jul 13, 2010
EF1	Moderate damage	0.1 mi × 100 yd	None	88 mi	Mar 28, 2010
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 20 yd	None	46 mi	Jun 16, 2009
EF0	Light damage	0.2 mi × 20 yd	None	68 mi	Jun 16, 2009
EF1	Moderate damage	1.5 mi × 30 yd	None	102 mi	Jun 16, 2009
EF1	Moderate damage	9.3 mi × 300 yd	None	83 mi	Jun 16, 2009
EF0	Light damage	1.1 mi × 50 yd	None	79 mi	Jun 16, 2009
EF1	Moderate damage	0.3 mi × 30 yd	None	7 mi	May 8, 2009
EF2	Considerable damage	4.9 mi × 200 yd	0 dead, 6 hurt	6 mi	May 8, 2009
EF2	Considerable damage	1.1 mi × 250 yd	None	54 mi	May 8, 2009
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 20 yd	None	60 mi	May 8, 2009
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 20 yd	None	75 mi	May 8, 2009
EF0	Light damage	4.2 mi × 200 yd	None	61 mi	Feb 11, 2009
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 20 yd	None	69 mi	May 11, 2008
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 20 yd	None	69 mi	May 11, 2008
EF1	Moderate damage	8.9 mi × 75 yd	None	85 mi	May 9, 2008
EF2	Considerable damage	9.4 mi × 75 yd	None	87 mi	May 9, 2008
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 40 yd	None	89 mi	Apr 28, 2008
EF1	Moderate damage	4.3 mi × 30 yd	None	73 mi	Apr 19, 2008
EF1	Moderate damage	0.6 mi × 25 yd	None	77 mi	Apr 19, 2008
EF1	Moderate damage	4.3 mi × 25 yd	None	80 mi	Apr 19, 2008
EF1	Moderate damage	1 mi × 300 yd	0 dead, 2 hurt	94 mi	Mar 4, 2008
EF0	Light damage	0.3 mi × 20 yd	None	87 mi	Jan 5, 2007
EF2	Considerable damage	1 mi × 30 yd	None	68 mi	Nov 15, 2006
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 30 yd	None	75 mi	Nov 15, 2006
EF1	Moderate damage	0.1 mi × 30 yd	None	87 mi	Nov 15, 2006
EF1	Moderate damage	2.2 mi × 40 yd	None	77 mi	May 26, 2006
EF0	Light damage	1.5 mi × 25 yd	None	87 mi	Apr 25, 2006
EF1	Moderate damage	0.5 mi × 100 yd	None	85 mi	Jan 13, 2006
EF1	Moderate damage	3 mi × 75 yd	None	74 mi	Jul 13, 2005
EF2	Considerable damage	4 mi × 100 yd	None	47 mi	Jul 7, 2005
EF1	Moderate damage	0.7 mi × 50 yd	None	102 mi	Jul 7, 2005
EF0	Light damage	0.2 mi × 50 yd	None	101 mi	Jul 7, 2005
EF1	Moderate damage	0.6 mi × 50 yd	None	26 mi	May 20, 2005
EF0	Light damage	0.2 mi × 50 yd	None	88 mi	Mar 8, 2005
EF1	Moderate damage	2 mi × 30 yd	None	91 mi	Sep 27, 2004
EF1	Moderate damage	0.8 mi × 50 yd	None	106 mi	Sep 27, 2004
EF0	Light damage	0.9 mi × 40 yd	None	80 mi	Sep 17, 2004
EF2	Considerable damage	2 mi × 200 yd	None	99 mi	Sep 7, 2004
EF1	Moderate damage	1 mi × 100 yd	None	102 mi	Sep 7, 2004
EF0	Light damage	0.5 mi × 50 yd	None	90 mi	May 26, 2004
EF1	Moderate damage	2 mi × 50 yd	None	87 mi	May 26, 2004
EF1	Moderate damage	1.5 mi × 35 yd	None	70 mi	Oct 16, 2003
EF1	Moderate damage	18 mi × 200 yd	None	80 mi	Jul 12, 2003
EF1	Moderate damage	6 mi × 200 yd	None	80 mi	Jul 12, 2003
EF1	Moderate damage	3 mi × 100 yd	None	68 mi	May 15, 2003
EF1	Moderate damage	0.1 mi × 50 yd	None	55 mi	May 1, 2002
EF0	Light damage	2 mi × 30 yd	None	72 mi	May 24, 2000
EF0	Light damage	1 mi × 30 yd	None	71 mi	May 24, 2000
EF0	Light damage	3 mi × 30 yd	None	70 mi	May 24, 2000
EF0	Light damage	0.3 mi × 20 yd	None	68 mi	May 24, 2000
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 20 yd	None	109 mi	Mar 11, 2000
EF1	Moderate damage	2 mi × 440 yd	None	102 mi	May 6, 1999
EF0	Light damage	0.2 mi × 25 yd	None	55 mi	Sep 28, 1998
EF1	Moderate damage	8.5 mi × 75 yd	0 dead, 3 hurt	47 mi	Jun 3, 1998
EF0	Light damage	2 mi × 60 yd	None	40 mi	Jun 3, 1998
EF0	Light damage	1 mi × 75 yd	None	49 mi	Jun 3, 1998
EF0	Light damage	5 mi × 50 yd	None	68 mi	May 7, 1998
EF2	Considerable damage	2 mi × 440 yd	None	68 mi	May 7, 1998
EF1	Moderate damage	10 mi × 200 yd	None	47 mi	May 7, 1998
EF2	Considerable damage	3.7 mi × 880 yd	None	77 mi	May 7, 1998
EF4	Devastating damage	4 mi × 1320 yd	0 dead, 2 hurt	46 mi	May 7, 1998
EF0	Light damage	5 mi × 300 yd	None	40 mi	May 7, 1998
EF1	Moderate damage	1.3 mi × 50 yd	None	107 mi	May 7, 1998
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 20 yd	None	97 mi	Apr 19, 1998
EF1	Moderate damage	0.5 mi × 50 yd	None	86 mi	Jun 13, 1997
EF1	Moderate damage	15 mi × 200 yd	None	92 mi	Feb 21, 1997
EF0	Light damage	2 mi × 100 yd	None	95 mi	Feb 21, 1997
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 180 yd	None	87 mi	Sep 16, 1996
EF1	Moderate damage	3.6 mi × 50 yd	None	51 mi	Jul 19, 1996
EF0	Light damage	0.2 mi × 30 yd	None	98 mi	May 29, 1996
EF1	Moderate damage	0.1 mi × 20 yd	0 dead, 2 hurt	36 mi	Apr 20, 1996
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 30 yd	None	81 mi	Apr 20, 1996
EF0	Light damage	0.5 mi × 100 yd	None	80 mi	Apr 13, 1996
EF0	Light damage	9 mi × 50 yd	None	102 mi	May 1, 1995
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 30 yd	None	121 mi	Mar 28, 1994
EF2	Considerable damage	25 mi × 75 yd	None	113 mi	Mar 27, 1994
EF1	Moderate damage	21 mi × 800 yd	None	51 mi	Nov 22, 1992
EF1	Moderate damage	5 mi × 800 yd	None	56 mi	Nov 22, 1992
EF1	Moderate damage	5 mi × 500 yd	None	78 mi	Nov 22, 1992
EF0	Light damage	0.2 mi × 200 yd	None	92 mi	Jun 4, 1992
EF0	Light damage	0.2 mi × 30 yd	None	41 mi	Mar 10, 1992
EF0	Light damage	0.3 mi × 20 yd	None	49 mi	Apr 30, 1990
EF1	Moderate damage	5 mi × 40 yd	None	102 mi	Apr 28, 1990
EF1	Moderate damage	6 mi × 50 yd	0 dead, 4 hurt	115 mi	Apr 28, 1990
EF0	Light damage	0.2 mi × 30 yd	None	92 mi	Apr 10, 1990
EF2	Considerable damage	0.4 mi × 50 yd	None	93 mi	Feb 10, 1990
EF1	Moderate damage	3 mi × 50 yd	None	103 mi	Feb 10, 1990
EF1	Moderate damage	2 mi × 50 yd	None	104 mi	Feb 10, 1990
EF1	Moderate damage	1 mi × 30 yd	None	63 mi	Jun 16, 1989
EF2	Considerable damage	15 mi × 73 yd	None	49 mi	May 5, 1989
EF4	Devastating damage	6 mi × 800 yd	0 dead, 3 hurt	66 mi	May 5, 1989
EF4	Devastating damage	3 mi × 800 yd	4 dead, 19 hurt	70 mi	May 5, 1989
EF4	Devastating damage	5 mi × 800 yd	0 dead, 30 hurt	76 mi	May 5, 1989
EF4	Devastating damage	6 mi × 400 yd	None	99 mi	May 5, 1989
EF4	Devastating damage	3 mi × 700 yd	None	100 mi	May 5, 1989
EF4	Devastating damage	6 mi × 700 yd	2 dead, 35 hurt	108 mi	May 5, 1989
EF0	Light damage	0.5 mi × 60 yd	None	74 mi	Oct 2, 1988
EF0	Light damage	1 mi × 30 yd	None	101 mi	Aug 17, 1985
EF0	Light damage	0.3 mi × 100 yd	None	126 mi	Jun 20, 1984
EF1	Moderate damage	0.2 mi × 33 yd	None	33 mi	Mar 5, 1983
EF3	Severe damage	1.9 mi × 100 yd	0 dead, 12 hurt	71 mi	Jul 10, 1980
EF1	Moderate damage	0.5 mi × 300 yd	None	87 mi	Jun 24, 1979
EF2	Considerable damage	0.3 mi × 30 yd	None	60 mi	May 24, 1979
EF1	Moderate damage	1.5 mi × 100 yd	None	101 mi	Dec 5, 1977
EF1	Moderate damage	0.2 mi × 17 yd	0 dead, 1 hurt	102 mi	Dec 5, 1977
EF1	Moderate damage	0.2 mi × 20 yd	None	112 mi	Dec 5, 1977
EF1	Moderate damage	16.2 mi × 77 yd	0 dead, 10 hurt	71 mi	Oct 1, 1977
EF1	Moderate damage	0.3 mi × 77 yd	None	113 mi	Sep 7, 1977
EF1	Moderate damage	5.6 mi × 33 yd	None	105 mi	Aug 17, 1977
EF1	Moderate damage	5.9 mi × 50 yd	None	104 mi	Aug 17, 1977
EF0	Light damage	0.5 mi × 20 yd	None	48 mi	Jul 9, 1977
EF1	Moderate damage	3.8 mi × 100 yd	None	97 mi	Jun 24, 1977
EF1	Moderate damage	N/A	None	83 mi	Jun 6, 1977
EF1	Moderate damage	8.8 mi × 33 yd	None	95 mi	Jun 6, 1977
EF1	Moderate damage	9.4 mi × 33 yd	None	89 mi	Jun 6, 1977
EF1	Moderate damage	8.7 mi × 50 yd	0 dead, 2 hurt	95 mi	Jun 6, 1977
EF1	Moderate damage	2.7 mi × 40 yd	None	101 mi	Jun 6, 1977
EF1	Moderate damage	19.7 mi × 50 yd	0 dead, 3 hurt	105 mi	Jun 6, 1977
EF1	Moderate damage	6.4 mi × 100 yd	None	14 mi	Apr 4, 1977
EF1	Moderate damage	0.2 mi × 50 yd	None	112 mi	Jun 19, 1976
EF1	Moderate damage	6 mi × 30 yd	None	109 mi	Feb 18, 1976
EF1	Moderate damage	0.5 mi × 40 yd	None	108 mi	Feb 18, 1976
EF1	Moderate damage	3 mi × 50 yd	None	91 mi	Feb 18, 1976
EF1	Moderate damage	1 mi × 50 yd	None	122 mi	Feb 18, 1976

📈 Historical Trends

Tornado activity near Sparta over 38 years

242

Total tornados on record

4.8

Average per year

EF4

Strongest recorded

May

Peak month

EF Scale Distribution

EF0

EF1

114

EF2

EF3

EF4

EF5

Yearly Tornado Count

1976 2024

Strongest Tornados on Record

EF4 LINCOLN, NO May 5, 1989

3 mi path 4 deaths 19 injured

EF4 SPARTANBURG, SO May 5, 1989

6 mi path 2 deaths 35 injured

EF4 RUTHERFORD, NO May 5, 1989

6 mi path

EF4 CATAWBA, NO May 5, 1989

6 mi path 3 injured

EF4 CLEVELAND, NO May 5, 1989

5 mi path 30 injured

📅 Tornado Season

When tornados are most likely near you

⚡

Active Tornado Season

Tornado season is active. Sparta sees the most tornado activity in May. Stay alert and have your shelter plan ready.

US Tornado Activity by Month

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

10%

PEAK

May

18%

Jun

16%

Jul

12%

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Current month Peak for Sparta

🛡️ Tornado Safety

What to know before, during, and after a tornado

⚠️ Tornado Watch

Meaning: Conditions are favorable for tornado development

Be prepared to take shelter. Stay alert for changing conditions.

🌪️ Tornado Warning

Meaning: A tornado has been spotted or detected on radar

TAKE COVER IMMEDIATELY in your nearest safe shelter.

⚠️ Step 1

Tornado Watch — Be Prepared

Conditions are favorable for tornados. Monitor weather alerts, charge your phone, and review your shelter plan. Move vehicles into garages if possible.

🌪️ Step 2

Tornado Warning — Take Cover NOW

A tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar. Move immediately to an interior room on the lowest floor (basement, bathroom, closet). Get under sturdy furniture. Stay away from windows.

🔍 Step 3

After a Tornado

Stay in your shelter until the warning expires. Check for injuries, avoid downed power lines, and watch for gas leaks. Document damage for insurance before cleanup.

Where to Shelter

✓ Best: Underground shelter or basement

✓ Good: Interior room on lowest floor

✓ Acceptable: Bathroom or closet (no exterior walls)

✓ If driving: Pull over, get below road level in a ditch

✗ NEVER: Stay in a mobile home — leave for sturdy building

✗ NEVER: Shelter under a highway overpass

📍 Nearby Tornado Monitoring

Cities near Sparta with live tracking