5.1 magnitude earthquake rocks North Carolina
News August 9, 2020
MURPHY, NC – At 8:07 a.m. on August 9, 2020, many North Carolinians were rattled by a 5.1 magnitude earthquake, originating two miles outside of Sparta, NC.
According to the National Weather Service, this quake is the strongest to hit NC since 1916. It was 5.2. magnitude earthquake in Buncombe county and it toppled chimneys and people ran into the streets
At this time, no injuries or major damage have been reported. If you felt it, report it to the USGS.
Residents from Murphy and Hayesville have reported experiencing tremors at the time of the earthquake. Additionally, Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee felt the effects of the morning quake. Georgia reports include Dahlonega and as far as Fayetteville.
Did You Feel It??? According to the USGS, North Carolina just experienced a 5.1 magnitude earthquake with the epicenter at 2 km SSE of Sparta, North Carolina. For more info click here https://t.co/cq5bMmUcJD pic.twitter.com/pzAt8tvuRP
— NWS Raleigh (@NWSRaleigh) August 9, 2020
Sparta is 272 miles from Murphy, NC, 264 miles from Hayesville, and 165 miles from Asheville. The city sits close to the NC/Tenn. line.
Another smaller 2.6 magnitude earthquake occurred in the same area at 1:57 a.m.
National Weather Service out of Raleigh has also reported three other possible quakes in Guilford, Randolph, and Moore counties.
If you felt the earthquake this morning or experienced any damage, please let us know!
The most recent earthquake in the Triangle was in 2011 in Virginia. Its magnitude was 5.8.
Western North Carolina included in severe weather forecast
News, WEATHER April 12, 2020
CHEROKEE COUNTY, N.C. – The National Weather Service (NWS) Office in Morristown, TN has issued severe weather outlook for Cherokee and Clay counties starting Sunday afternoon and into Monday morning.
From NWS:
“…Periods of Heavy Rain and Possible Flooding for the Plateau, Central and Southern Sections of East Tennessee, and southwest
North Carolina for this Afternoon and Tonight…
…Severe Storms Possible from this Evening through Early Monday Morning…
A severe weather outbreak is possible across the Tennessee Valley region Sunday evening through early Monday morning. Damaging winds up to 70 mph will be the greatest threat from these storms but there is a risk of isolated tornadoes across the Plateau, southeast Tennessee, and southwest North Carolina. Hail up to quarter size is also possible.
Periods of heavy rain is also anticipated with the greatest risk of flash flooding across the Plateau, central and southern section of the east Tennessee, and southwest North Carolina. Stream flooding, roadway flooding, and flooding of low-lying areas are possible.
High winds will develop across the East TN mountains and adjacent foothills Today and continue into Monday morning. Southerly winds may gust up to 80 mph in some locations during that time. Windy conditions will also develop elsewhere late today through Monday morning with gusts up to 35-40 mph possible.”
The wind advisory said to expect southern winds between 15 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph expected from 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 12 to 10 a.m. on Monday, April 13. Tree limbs could be blown off trees and power outages could occur. The service recommends to secure outdoor objects and take caution if operating a “high profile vehicle.”
Also, at 2 p.m., a flash flood watch goes into effect and lasts until Monday morning. Two to four inches of rain is expected with heavier amounts possible. NWS advised, “Avoid low lying areas…and be careful when approaching highway dips and underpasses. If you come to a closed or flooded road…turn around! Don`t drown!”
Cities included in the severe weather forecast are Andrews, Marble, Topton, Hiawasse Dam, Murphy, Unaka, Violet, Shooting Creek, Brasstown, Hayesville, Tusquitee, Fincastle, La Follette, Elk Valley, Jellico, White Oak, Caryville, Royal Blue, Lone Mountain, Sandlick, Springdale, Arthur, Harrogate-Shawanee, Clairfield, Howard Quarter, Oak Ridge, Clinton, Maynardville, Norris Lake, Paulette, Rose Hill, Sharps Chapel, Luttrell, Lenoir City, Loudon, Bearden, Knoxville, Lake Forest, Happy Valley, Maryville, Alcoa, Cades Cove, Harrisburg, Kodak, McMahan, Sevierville, Seymour, Pigeon Forge, Elkmont, Gatlinburg, Athens, Clear Water, Dentville, Etowah, Sweetwater, Madisonville, Bullet Creek, Citico, Coker Creek, Conasauga, Archville, Benton, Parksville, Reliance, Big Frog Mountain, Ducktown, and Turtletown.
Feature image from NWS Morristown Facebook.