USA.com / North Carolina / Rowan County / Spencer, NC / 28159 / Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
28159 Zip Code Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in 28159 Zip Code is about the same as North Carolina average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in 28159 Zip Code is higher than North Carolina average and is about the same as the national average.
Earthquake Index, #449
| 28159 Zip Code | 0.05 |
| North Carolina | 0.18 |
| U.S. | 1.81 |
The earthquake index value is calculated based on historical earthquake events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the earthquake level in a region. A higher earthquake index value means a higher chance of an earthquake.
Volcano Index, #1
| 28159 Zip Code | 0.0000 |
| North Carolina | 0.0000 |
| U.S. | 0.0023 |
The volcano index value is calculated based on the currently known volcanoes using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the possibility of a region being affected by a possible volcano eruption. A higher volcano index value means a higher chance of being affected.
Tornado Index, #391
| 28159 Zip Code | 132.36 |
| North Carolina | 115.21 |
| U.S. | 136.45 |
The tornado index value is calculated based on historical tornado events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the tornado level in a region. A higher tornado index value means a higher chance of tornado events.
Other Weather Extremes Events
A total of 4,609 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of 28159 Zip Code were recorded from 1950 to 2010. The following is a break down of these events:
| Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count |
| Avalanche: | 0 | Blizzard: | 0 | Cold: | 7 | Dense Fog: | 4 | Drought: | 35 |
| Dust Storm: | 0 | Flood: | 458 | Hail: | 1,376 | Heat: | 1 | Heavy Snow: | 34 |
| High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 4 | Ice Storm: | 18 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 32 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 2,295 | Tropical Storm: | 0 | Wildfire: | 0 | Winter Storm: | 37 | Winter Weather: | 49 |
| Other: | 259 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near 28159 Zip Code.
Historical Earthquake Events
No historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near 28159 Zip Code.
No historical earthquake events found in or near 28159 Zip Code.
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 38 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near 28159 Zip Code.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 4.6 | 2010-03-28 | 2 | 35°43'N / 80°22'W | 35°44'N / 80°21'W | 1.00 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 5 | 1.3M | 0K | Davidson |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: An EF1 tornado exited Rowan County, crossing the Yadkin River and entered into Davidson County. Numerous hardwood trees were either sheared off or uprooted in a wooded area south of Seven Oaks Drive. A carport was ripped from a brick home on Seven Oaks Drive. Two out buildings were also destroyed. The tornado tracked northeast across an open field before it damaged a vacant steel framed flea market building. The tornado glanced the southeastern corner of the main flea market building, tearing it away from the remainder of the building. Debris from the metal building was found approximately one mile downstream from the site. Sections of sheet metal from the building were found twisted around several tree and high tension power lines. In the adjacent Chestnut Grove Mobile Home Park, located at the intersection of Clark Road and Wind Hill Drive, three mobile homes were completely destroyed with three other mobile homes sustaining significant damage. The tornado reached EF2 intensity here with wind of 110 to 120 mph. The tornado dissipated in a wooded area northeast of Clark Road. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Convection developed ahead of an amplified upper trough across the Tennessee Valley while a strong southerly mid and upper level jet provided strong shear across the region. Tornadoes formed and track ahead of a developing surface low across Georgia and along a wedge front located across the western Piedmont of NC. | |||||||||||
| 9.3 | 2005-01-14 | 2 | 35°34'N / 80°23'W | 35°34'N / 80°23'W | 0.30 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 500K | 0 | Rowan |
| Brief Description: Two metal industrial buildings sustained major damage and a barn was flattened. A home next to the barn also received minor roof damage. Several trees were snapped or uprooted. | |||||||||||
| 18.9 | 2008-05-08 | 2 | 35°58'N / 80°24'W | 35°58'N / 80°23'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Forsyth | ||
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: An EF-2 tornado tracked northeast out of Davie County and crossed the Yadkin River into Forsyth County. After crossing the Yadkin River, the tornado touched down near the Old Clemmons Water Treatment Plant along Idols Dam Road. The tornado tracked northeast through a heavily wooded area for just over one quarter of a mile and then lifted off the ground. The parent supercell thunderstorm went on to produce another tornado approximately one mile northeast of the first tornado's ending point. This second tornado went on to produce significant damage to the Clemmons community in Forsyth County. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A strong upper level low moving east-northeast across Kentucky and Tennessee, triggered several instances of severe damaging winds and two tornadoes across the Triad region in the northwest piedmont of North Carolina. | |||||||||||
| 20.6 | 2008-05-08 | 3 | 35°58'N / 80°22'W | 36°00'N / 80°19'W | 3.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 2 | 2.5M | 0K | Forsyth |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: This tornado originated from the same parent supercell that produced the tornado in Davie County which lifted in Forsyth County just across the Yadkin River. This second tornado touched down just southwest of Hampton Road. Three metal barns sustained major damage around the 4800 block of Hampton Road with minor damage to two homes. The tornado continued northeast through wooded farmland before hitting the Bridgepoint Subdivision where the tornado strengthened to EF-3 intensity. Three homes were destroyed and approximately thirty homes sustained moderate damage. There were only two minor injuries in the subdivision. The tornado continued to track to the northeast across Frye Bridge Road and through a heavily wooded area. It then dissipated near the intersection of Cooper Road and Fraternity Church Road. A few homes suffered damage, primarily due to fallen trees. Hardwood tree damage in the area was consistent with EF-2 intensity as tree trunks were snapped in a 200 to 300 yard path. The overall path length of the tornado was around 3 miles with a maximum width of 300 yards. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A strong upper level low moving east-northeast across Kentucky and Tennessee, triggered several instances of severe damaging winds and two tornadoes across the Triad region in the northwest piedmont of North Carolina. | |||||||||||
| 22.4 | 1989-05-05 | 2 | 36°01'N / 80°23'W | 0.50 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 8 | 2.5M | 0 | Forsyth | |
| 22.4 | 1998-05-07 | 3 | 36°01'N / 80°23'W | 36°01'N / 80°23'W | 2.00 Miles | 1 Yards | 0 | 5 | 50.0M | 0 | Forsyth |
| Brief Description: A large tornado tore through the Waterford Subdivision of Clemmons in southwest Forsyth county. The initial touchdown was at 630 pm local time. Several homes were completely destroyed, several hundred sustained major roof, wall, and window damage. Tree damage was extensive with debris scattered for miles. | |||||||||||
| 25.7 | 1999-09-29 | 2 | 35°22'N / 80°13'W | 35°22'N / 80°13'W | 6.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3.0M | 0 | Stanly |
| Brief Description: A second tornado, spawned by another thunderstorm, dropped a tornado 6 miles west of Albemarle. It destroyed a modular home, then did serious damage to the roof of a church. Several large trees were also taken down in the area. This was near the community of Lambert. The tornado then produced sporadic tree and roof damage on its way to the southern part of Albemarle. Several businesses were then heavily damaged and a lock and store facility was destroyed. The tornado then apparently dissipated. | |||||||||||
| 28.4 | 2005-07-07 | 2 | 36°00'N / 80°45'W | 36°03'N / 80°43'W | 3.50 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.0M | 400K | Iredell |
| Brief Description: This tornado touched down in the Houstonville Rd area and tracked almost due north. Extensive damage was done to a dairy farm in the Houstonville community, with damage to several other agricultural buildings in the area. In the Misty Rd, Anthony Rd area, the roof was torn off a mobile home as well as another home. The tornado continued to track north, crossing into Yadkin County around Tobacco Rd. At least 13 structures were damaged or destroyed in the county. In addition to the structural damage, damage to tobacco and corn crops was extensive. In addition, numerous trees were blown down along highway 21 and Hunting Creek Rd west of the tornado track. It is unclear whether this was a secondary spin-up or straight-line wind. | |||||||||||
| 28.9 | 1985-05-22 | 3 | 36°06'N / 80°16'W | 36°04'N / 80°13'W | 3.50 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Forsyth |
| 29.6 | 1999-09-29 | 2 | 35°16'N / 80°26'W | 35°16'N / 80°26'W | 0.10 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Stanly |
| Brief Description: A tornado touched down briefly and took the entire roof off a brick ranch. No other damage was noted in the area. A spotter was tracking the funnel. | |||||||||||
| 30.2 | 1963-05-17 | 2 | 35°18'N / 80°12'W | 1.00 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Stanly | |
| 32.2 | 2010-03-28 | 3 | 36°00'N / 80°02'W | 36°02'N / 80°00'W | 3.00 Miles | 250 Yards | 0 | 0 | 10.0M | 0K | Guilford |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: The tornado initially touched down as an EF1 with winds around 100 mph near Old Plank Road in southwest Guilford County. It was in this area where the Apple Tree Academy sustained significant damage and two vehicles including a small bus were rolled 50 yards across the street. From this point the tornado continued northeast across Highway 311. The next area to experience damage was just north of Highway 311 and south of Old Mill Road along Langdale, Imperial and Impala Drives. Tornado damage in this area continued to indicate EF1 winds with numerous trees down along with a number of home with roof and siding damage. The tornado intensified to an EF2 as it crossed Old Mill Road towards Johnson Street. The EF2 tornado severely damaged numerous homes along Brandon Drive. In on instance, an entire bedroom was blown off a single story home. Three individuals who were taking shelter in a bedroom closet were carried 50 feet and were buried under the debris. One individual experienced several broken bones but overall injuries were not serious. The remainder of the house was shifted off the foundation approximately 8 inches. EF2 tornado damage continued north of Old Mill Road to Skeet Club Road along either side of Johnson Road with winds around 130 mph for most of its duration but briefly reached EF3 intensity with winds of 138 mph near Hampton Park Drive at 1278 Silverstone Court where the upper level of a two story home was blown off. Fifty to sixty homes along Hampton Park Drive, Scarlet Drive, Ruskin Drive and Johnson Road were severely damaged. The tornado crossed Johnson Road as an EF2 crossing Elmwood Avenue, Oakforest Drive and Maplewood Avenue. Nearly every home in this highly urbanized area experienced minor to moderate damage. The upper floor of a two story home on Elmwood Avenue was blown off. The tornado weakened to an EF1 as it crossed Maplewood Avenue and Wellingham Lane, where numerous homes experienced roof and siding damage. The tornado finally lifted off the ground north of Kendale Road. In total 603 single family homes were damaged with 21 homes being completely destoryed. Thirty-one multifamily homes were damaged with 16 reported destroyed. Finally, eleven businesses sustained damage, with 3 businesses completely destroyed. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Convection developed ahead of an amplified upper trough across the Tennessee Valley while a strong southerly mid and upper level jet provided strong shear across the region. Tornadoes formed and track ahead of a developing surface low across Georgia and along a wedge front located across the western Piedmont of NC. | |||||||||||
| 32.5 | 1981-06-06 | 2 | 36°04'N / 80°14'W | 36°10'N / 80°07'W | 9.40 Miles | 17 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Forsyth |
| 33.7 | 1965-10-07 | 3 | 35°39'N / 79°50'W | 1.00 Mile | 33 Yards | 1 | 4 | 25K | 0 | Randolph | |
| 34.2 | 1965-09-12 | 2 | 35°18'N / 80°48'W | 0.30 Mile | 70 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Mecklenburg | |
| 34.7 | 1969-04-18 | 2 | 35°06'N / 80°32'W | 35°18'N / 80°07'W | 27.30 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Union |
| 35.1 | 1989-05-05 | 3 | 36°06'N / 80°15'W | 36°13'N / 80°06'W | 10.50 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 30 | 25.0M | 0 | Forsyth |
| 35.6 | 1991-03-29 | 2 | 35°38'N / 80°01'W | 35°51'N / 79°35'W | 28.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Randolph |
| 35.6 | 1989-05-05 | 2 | 36°08'N / 80°13'W | 36°12'N / 80°08'W | 5.50 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 10 | 2.5M | 0 | Forsyth |
| 36.0 | 2008-05-08 | 2 | 36°03'N / 80°01'W | 36°06'N / 79°58'W | 4.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 1 | 3 | 4.0M | 0K | Guilford |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: The tornado, originally an EF-0, initially touched down just north of Squire Davis Park near the intersection of Sandy Ridge Road and Johnson Street. From there the tornado tracked northeast and intensified to EF-1 intensity as it approached the Farmers Market and Interstate 40. The tornado overturned several cars and tractor trailers as it crossed Interstate 40. A roof was blown off of an office building just north of the interstate as the tornado continued to intensify. As the tornado moved further northeast into an industrial complex, it further strengthened to EF-2 with winds estimated around 130 mph based on damage to warehouses. Numerous warehouses along Little Santee Road, Capital Drive, and West Market Street sustained significant damage. Numerous vehicles and tractor trailers were also overturned in the industrial complex. At its widest point, the tornado was just over 200 yards wide. The tornado quickly lifted off of the ground after crossing West Market Street near the post office. The tornado was on the ground for about four miles. One fatality occurred along West Market Street next to the Lamination Service Building located at 8717 West Market Street. The fatality occurred as a 51 year old man slept in the rig of his tractor trailer. Three other injuries were reported, two of which occurred in automobiles and another in the I.H. Caffey Warehouse Distribution Center. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A strong upper level low moving east-northeast across Kentucky and Tennessee, triggered several instances of severe damaging winds and two tornadoes across the Triad region in the northwest piedmont of North Carolina. | |||||||||||
| 36.5 | 1976-05-15 | 2 | 35°16'N / 79°58'W | 35°31'N / 79°50'W | 18.80 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 7 | 2.5M | 0 | Montgomery |
| 37.5 | 1982-04-27 | 2 | 35°13'N / 80°07'W | 0.10 Mile | 27 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Stanly | |
| 37.9 | 2006-11-15 | 2 | 35°31'N / 81°04'W | 35°30'N / 81°04'W | 1.00 Mile | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Lincoln |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: NWS survey found tornado damage path on the western shores of Lake Norman near Denver. Most of the damage was concentrated in the Lake Shore Rd and Blade Trail areas. Hundreds of trees were downed, many blocking roads, with some down on homes. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A narrow line of showers and thunderstorms developed ahead of a strong cold front during the evening hours of November 15th. As the line moved into North Carolina a series of tornadoes formed along a break in the line. In all, four tornadoes touched down from the east side of Gastonia to a few miles east of Statesville. The strongest tornado produced a small area of F2 damage. One person later died from injuries suffered in the last tornado in Iredell County. Areas of damaging straight line winds also occurred in other parts of the line. | |||||||||||
| 38.6 | 1977-10-01 | 2 | 35°48'N / 79°50'W | 35°53'N / 79°42'W | 9.40 Miles | 40 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Randolph |
| 39.3 | 1975-03-24 | 2 | 34°59'N / 80°22'W | 35°20'N / 80°02'W | 30.60 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Union |
| 39.3 | 2010-10-26 | 2 | 35°42'N / 81°09'W | 35°43'N / 81°07'W | 3.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 6.6M | 0K | Catawba |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: The tornado touched down initially in an industrial park near Penny Rd, where two large buildings sustained significant roof damage. Part of the exterior wall of one of the buildings collapsed. The tornado moved northeast, causing damage to shingles and siding at several homes on St Vincent Dr. Two outbuildings were thrown 30 to 40 feet and numerous trees were snapped off or uprooted in this area as well. The tornado continued to cause severe damage to trees and generally minor structural damage to homes and a church as it moved northeast toward Catawba St. The damage path continued in a east northeast direction from there, roughly paralleling highway 70. Major roof damage occurred to a food processing plant on highway 70 and several outbuildings were destroyed. Numerous headstones were blown down in a cemetery adjacent to the plant. Numerous trailers were then overturned and part of a building destroyed at a truck depot near Liberty Hill Church Rd. The tornado continued east northeast for about another half mile before lifting. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Scattered supercell thunderstorms developed over the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia as strong wind shear and moderate instability overspread the region ahead of a strong cold front. A number of tornadoes were spawned by the storms. Two strong tornadoes affected the western piedmont and foothills of North Carolina. | |||||||||||
| 40.5 | 1980-05-18 | 2 | 35°06'N / 80°26'W | 35°07'N / 80°23'W | 3.30 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Union |
| 41.4 | 1973-05-28 | 2 | 35°12'N / 80°59'W | 35°18'N / 80°52'W | 9.60 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Mecklenburg |
| 41.6 | 2005-07-07 | 2 | 35°50'N / 81°10'W | 35°52'N / 81°08'W | 4.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 150K | 0 | Alexander |
| Brief Description: This tornado touched down near highway 16 just north of the Catawba County line. Two brick homes and a business received severe roof damage in this area, while a mobile home was completely destroyed. The tornado tracked northeast, damaging the roofs of several homes at a mobile home park along Friendship Church Rd before lifting near the intersection of Millersville Rd and Dairy Rd. Numerous trees were also blown down along the tornado path. | |||||||||||
| 41.7 | 1954-08-18 | 2 | 35°40'N / 81°12'W | 35°44'N / 81°09'W | 5.40 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Catawba |
| 43.1 | 1968-06-07 | 2 | 35°00'N / 80°35'W | 35°12'N / 80°45'W | 16.70 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Mecklenburg |
| 46.6 | 1989-05-05 | 4 | 34°59'N / 80°44'W | 35°06'N / 80°33'W | 13.00 Miles | 500 Yards | 1 | 6 | 25.0M | 0 | Union |
| 47.4 | 2008-05-09 | 2 | 35°15'N / 81°10'W | 35°16'N / 81°00'W | 9.00 Miles | 75 Yards | 0 | 0 | 7.0M | 0K | Gaston |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A tornado track began just southeast of Gastonia and continued well into Mecklenburg County on the northwest side of Charlotte. Where the tornado first touched down, part of the roof was blown off the roof of an office building near the intersection of Union Rd and Garrison Bvd. The tornado continued east-northeast to the Garrison Blvd, S New Hope Rd area, where numerous homes and businesses received minor to moderate roof damage and numerous large trees were uprooted. The tornado produced sporadic, mainly minor damage as it moved through McAdenville, where it crossed I-85, blowing several cars off the interstate. The most significant damage was observed in the Catawba Heights/ Belmont area, near I-85, where much of the metal roof was peeled from a large wharehouse, causing 7 million dollars in damage. Another industrial business in this area lost most of its roof. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A mini-supercell thunderstorms produced a tornado with a nearly 20 mile path through the Gastonia and Charlotte metro areas during the early morning hours of May 9th. | |||||||||||
| 48.1 | 1969-04-18 | 2 | 35°52'N / 79°36'W | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Randolph | |||
| 48.6 | 1990-10-18 | 3 | 34°59'N / 80°41'W | 35°01'N / 80°27'W | 12.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Union |
| 49.4 | 1992-03-10 | 2 | 35°07'N / 81°00'W | 35°09'N / 80°57'W | 3.40 Miles | 180 Yards | 0 | 18 | 2.5M | 0 | Mecklenburg |
| 49.6 | 1983-03-06 | 2 | 34°59'N / 80°33'W | 2.00 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 9 | 2.5M | 0 | Union | |
| 49.8 | 1954-08-17 | 2 | 35°47'N / 79°33'W | 2.10 Miles | 110 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Randolph | |
* The information on this page is based on the global volcano database, the U.S. earthquake database of 1638-1985, and the U.S. Tornado and Weather Extremes database of 1950-2010.