Martinsville Micro Area Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
The chance of earthquake damage in Martinsville Area is about the same as Virginia average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Martinsville Area is lower than Virginia average and is lower than the national average.
Earthquake Index, #423
| Martinsville Area | 0.06 |
| Virginia | 0.20 |
| 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, #129
| Martinsville Area | 0.0000 |
| Virginia | 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, #665
| Martinsville Area | 67.38 |
| Virginia | 88.66 |
| 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 13,864 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Martinsville Area 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: | 4 | Cold: | 75 | Dense Fog: | 15 | Drought: | 89 |
| Dust Storm: | 0 | Flood: | 1,843 | Hail: | 3,898 | Heat: | 39 | Heavy Snow: | 319 |
| High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 5 | Ice Storm: | 72 | Landslide: | 3 | Strong Wind: | 268 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 6,297 | Tropical Storm: | 4 | Wildfire: | 6 | Winter Storm: | 142 | Winter Weather: | 218 |
| Other: | 567 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Martinsville Area.
Historical Earthquake Events
A total of 1 historical earthquake event that had a recorded magnitude of 3.5 or above found in or near Martinsville Area.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Depth (km) | Latitude | Longitude |
| 40.9 | 1968-03-08 | 3.9 | N/A | 37 | -80.5 |
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 20 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Martinsville Area.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 1.3 | 1964-07-12 | 2 | 36°42'N / 79°53'W | 2.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 3 | 250K | 0 | Henry | |
| 6.9 | 2004-09-17 | 2 | 36°43'N / 79°57'W | 36°49'N / 79°56'W | 7.10 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 4 | 53.8M | 0 | Henry |
| Brief Description: A tornado touched down near Fieldale at 1104 EST. The F1 tornado crossed U.S. Highway 220 turning over 2 tractor-trailer trucks and 2 passenger vehicles. All 4 drivers suffered minor injuries. The tornado damage patch widened to a quarter mile, and strengthened to F2 as it approached and struck a factory. At this location, around 40 vehicles were severely damaged or destroyed. The factory experienced significant damage. The tornado then proceeded north and entered a residential subdivision, but only minor roof and tree damage occurred here. The tornado path became intermittent as it continued north and the damage was limited to trees. The tornado crossed into Franklin County at 1114 EST. | |||||||||||
| 33.1 | 1964-07-12 | 2 | 36°59'N / 79°28'W | 37°02'N / 79°24'W | 4.90 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Pittsylvania |
| 34.1 | 1996-06-09 | 2 | 37°10'N / 79°45'W | 37°10'N / 79°45'W | 0.10 Mile | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Franklin |
| 35.2 | 1954-06-16 | 2 | 36°10'N / 79°48'W | 36°12'N / 79°42'W | 6.10 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 1 | 3K | 0 | Guilford |
| 36.4 | 1953-05-17 | 2 | 37°12'N / 80°00'W | 1.00 Mile | 880 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Roanoke | |
| 36.7 | 1977-08-21 | 2 | 36°44'N / 80°32'W | 1.00 Mile | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Carroll | |
| 38.0 | 1964-07-12 | 2 | 36°24'N / 79°20'W | 36°29'N / 79°11'W | 10.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Caswell |
| 39.4 | 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 |
| 39.5 | 1977-06-25 | 2 | 37°04'N / 79°21'W | 37°02'N / 79°18'W | 3.60 Miles | 40 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Pittsylvania |
| 39.9 | 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 |
| 40.7 | 2004-09-17 | 2 | 37°15'N / 79°47'W | 37°17'N / 79°46'W | 3.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Bedford |
| Brief Description: At 1212 EST, an F0 tornado touched down near Dickerson Road, and the width was less than 50 yards. The tornado damage path widened and varied from 100 yards to as much as 300 yards, as it did moderate to strong F1 damage to trees. A few homes suffered only minor damage to shingles and roofs, mainly due to trees falling on them. As the F1 tornado crossed Highway 24 at 1215 EST, it continued to damage trees, and was about 75 yards wide. A poorly constructed building was demolished. As the tornado moved north, it continued to down trees. Also, a car was pivoted in a driveway but undamaged. Minor structural and roof damage to homes occurred, as the tornado increased to a weak F2. The tornado weakened to F0 by 1217 EST, downing more trees along County Road 619. | |||||||||||
| 41.6 | 1964-07-12 | 2 | 36°29'N / 79°11'W | 36°31'N / 79°08'W | 3.60 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Person |
| 42.5 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 42.5 | 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 |
| 43.6 | 1974-04-04 | 2 | 37°18'N / 80°02'W | 37°19'N / 79°55'W | 6.50 Miles | 177 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Roanoke |
| 46.2 | 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 |
| 46.7 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 49.3 | 1996-07-15 | 2 | 37°21'N / 79°34'W | 37°21'N / 79°33'W | 0.50 Mile | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 140K | 0 | Bedford |
| 49.8 | 2002-04-28 | 2 | 37°17'N / 79°24'W | 37°16'N / 79°19'W | 5.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 1 | 3.0M | 0 | Bedford |
| Brief Description: A second tornado developed 8 miles east-southeast of Bedford City in Bedford County and remained on the ground for 5 miles before crossing over into Campbell County. This tornado injured one person, destroyed seven homes, three businesses, and about two dozen farm buildings. The tornado damaged about 129 other homes, 39 businesses, and a tractor trailer. Numerous trees were toppled. Thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening of the 28th produced two tornadoes, damaging winds, and hail up to golfball size. A tornado formed in Bedford City and traveled east one half mile before dissipating. The storm then produced sporatic wind damage for about the next 7.5 miles or from .5 east-southeast of Bedford City to 8 east-southeast of Bedford City, causing mainly damage to trees and power lines. A second tornado developed 8 miles east-southeast of Bedford City in Bedford County and remained on the ground for 10 miles before lifting about 5.5 miles west-northwest of Rustburg in Campbell County. Sporatic wind damage then occurred from 5.5 west-northwest of Rustburg to Rustburg. These winds destroyed several mobile homes, damaged about two dozen other mobile homes and knocked down trees. Many vehicles had windows broken out by hail in New Castle. Thunderstorm winds downed trees onto Route 40 in Keysville, downed trees in Halifax, snapped a power pole in Danville, downed trees in Clover, and downed trees onto Reed Lane in Willis. | |||||||||||
* 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.