Sharpsburg, MD Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in Sharpsburg is about the same as Maryland average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Sharpsburg is about the same as Maryland average and is lower than the national average.
Earthquake Index, #514
| Sharpsburg, MD | 0.04 |
| Maryland | 0.17 |
| 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
| Sharpsburg, MD | 0.0000 |
| Maryland | 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, #387
| Sharpsburg, MD | 116.54 |
| Maryland | 121.90 |
| 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 4,527 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Sharpsburg, MD 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: | 3 | Cold: | 34 | Dense Fog: | 23 | Drought: | 22 |
| Dust Storm: | 0 | Flood: | 608 | Hail: | 795 | Heat: | 55 | Heavy Snow: | 31 |
| High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 3 | Ice Storm: | 14 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 83 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 2,278 | Tropical Storm: | 6 | Wildfire: | 4 | Winter Storm: | 84 | Winter Weather: | 88 |
| Other: | 396 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Sharpsburg, MD.
Historical Earthquake Events
No historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near Sharpsburg, MD.
No historical earthquake events found in or near Sharpsburg, MD.
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 32 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Sharpsburg, MD.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 6.8 | 1996-07-19 | 2 | 39°23'N / 77°42'W | 39°21'N / 77°42'W | 2.00 Miles | 125 Yards | 0 | 0 | 400K | 75K | Washington |
| Brief Description: A moderate tornado (F2) tracked between two mountain ridges in extreme southern Washington Co, knocking down hundreds of trees, including several onto homes which caused substantial damage. At least one barn was completely destroyed in Yarrowsburg. The storm attained maximum strength just south of town (where the trees, including numerous hardwoods, were flattened). The tornado weakened considerably before dissipating along the eastern ridge. Structural and vehicle damage, though not as prevalent as the tree damage, included the following: Portions of roofs from two barns were blown off; minor residential damage, including shattered windows, unhinged shingles, and torn off trim/gutters. Some gravestones were overturned by the winds, and several power lines were knocked down. Several vehicles and vehicle windows were damaged. | |||||||||||
| 8.9 | 2004-09-17 | 2 | 39°24'N / 77°33'W | 39°24'N / 77°39'W | 3.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 5K | 0 | Frederick |
| Brief Description: An F2 tornado touched down in far northwest Frederick County, on the northwest edge of Catoctin Mountain Park. A thickly forested stand of hardwood trees was snapped off above the bases. | |||||||||||
| 11.7 | 1989-11-16 | 2 | 39°15'N / 77°47'W | 39°20'N / 77°48'W | 9.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 3 | 250K | 0 | Jefferson |
| 16.2 | 2004-09-17 | 2 | 39°22'N / 78°02'W | 39°23'N / 78°02'W | 2.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 6 | 25K | 0 | Berkeley |
| Brief Description: A tornado touched down in Darkesville in southern Berkeley County. The F2 tornado produced extensive structural damage to homes and businesses in the area. The storm traveled north and toppled tractor trailers and vehicles on Interstate-81. At least 6 people were injured from the automobile accidents. | |||||||||||
| 21.7 | 1975-08-04 | 2 | 39°14'N / 78°02'W | 0.80 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Clarke | |
| 21.7 | 1978-07-31 | 2 | 39°24'N / 77°21'W | 1.50 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Frederick | |
| 25.9 | 1961-07-13 | 2 | 39°19'N / 78°12'W | 0 | 1 | 3K | 0 | Frederick | |||
| 26.1 | 1979-09-05 | 2 | 39°08'N / 77°30'W | 0.50 Mile | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Loudoun | |
| 27.3 | 1979-09-05 | 2 | 39°06'N / 77°32'W | 0.50 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Loudoun | |
| 28.9 | 2004-09-17 | 2 | 39°10'N / 78°10'W | 39°12'N / 78°09'W | 5.00 Miles | 125 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Frederick |
| Brief Description: An F2 tornado produced a nearly continuous path of damage for 5 miles in eastern Frederick County. It touched down west of Millwood Pike near the Winchester Airport. Three homes suffered roof damage, a detached two car garage was destroyed, a platform deck was blown away, an office trailer was overturned, and numerous trees along the track of the storm were uprooted or topped. | |||||||||||
| 31.8 | 1983-05-22 | 3 | 39°42'N / 77°15'W | 39°42'N / 77°14'W | 1.00 Mile | 37 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Frederick |
| 32.7 | 1980-06-03 | 2 | 39°00'N / 77°40'W | 38°59'N / 77°37'W | 2.70 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Loudoun |
| 33.2 | 1983-05-22 | 3 | 39°42'N / 77°14'W | 39°43'N / 77°12'W | 1.00 Mile | 37 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Carroll |
| 34.4 | 2004-09-17 | 2 | 38°57'N / 77°27'W | 39°05'N / 77°27'W | 8.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3.0M | 0 | Loudoun |
| Brief Description: A thunderstorm moved into eastern Loudoun County from Fairfax County near the Dulles International Airport. The storm produced a tornado which touched down at Dulles International Airport and passed within one half mile of the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Sterling. This prompted the staff on duty to seek shelter in the office constructed saferoom. As the storm traveled north from the Dulles International Airport, it produced minor tree damage. More extensive damage occurred north of Waxpool Road at the Beaumede Corporate Park. Seven buildings were damaged. A wall collapsed in one of the buildings. A tractor trailer was overturned. The tornado also pushed two cars into the side of a building. The tornado weakened as it traveled north. The last damage in Loudoun County was reported just north of Route 7. | |||||||||||
| 38.0 | 1978-07-31 | 2 | 39°18'N / 77°04'W | 0.80 Mile | 40 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Howard | |
| 40.9 | 1979-05-23 | 2 | 39°35'N / 77°00'W | 2.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Carroll | |
| 41.8 | 1996-07-19 | 3 | 39°30'N / 76°59'W | 39°29'N / 76°57'W | 2.20 Miles | 350 Yards | 0 | 3 | 5.0M | 20K | Carroll |
| Brief Description: One of the most potent tornadoes in recorded history in the state of Maryland tracked for 2 and 1/4 miles through the Mystic Kane and Four Seasons subdivisions just off state route 32 northwest of Gamber. The tornado was a strong F3 (180 mph estimated winds) with multiple vortices. Homes and trees struck by individual vortices sustained the worst damage. There were several eyewitness accounts of the tornado/funnel cloud shortly before touchdown. In all, 66 structures sustained damage. Twelve single-family homes were destroyed, five which lost most of the second story and garages. Three persons were injured. Two children were injured when the tornado blew them out of the second level of one of the homes. Their father suffered cuts and bruises when a wall partially collapsed on him while he was trying the rescue the children. Another dozen homes were deemed temporarily uninhabitable with substantial roof and siding damage. An additional 37 homes, a couple of apartments, and another barn received some damage. Many material items were sucked out of the homes, from bicycles to jewelry. Several automobiles were damaged by fallen and/or flying debris. Debris littered the ground for miles. A barn along route 32 was completely destroyed, and pieces of it were found as far away as 3.5 miles to the southeast of the barn's original location. Dozens of trees were snapped, shredded, debarked, and uprooted. Corn stalks were sucked up leaving six inch stubs as the tornado crossed a field west of route 32. A corn stalk was embedded into the wall of a house 1/2 mile away from the stalk's original location. Numerous airborne missiles (large and small) were generated, puncturing holes into homes and becoming embedded into the ground. A refrigerator was found wrapped around a mailbox. A van was dragged 50 feet, then flipped over two times. Other vehicles were also damaged. | |||||||||||
| 42.0 | 1981-07-28 | 2 | 38°54'N / 77°26'W | 0.10 Mile | 27 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Fairfax | |
| 42.2 | 1954-04-25 | 2 | 39°50'N / 77°14'W | 39°48'N / 76°59'W | 13.30 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Adams |
| 42.2 | 1976-03-21 | 2 | 39°56'N / 77°15'W | 1.00 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Adams | |
| 42.7 | 1961-04-16 | 3 | 40°03'N / 77°31'W | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Cumberland | |||
| 44.6 | 1978-08-28 | 2 | 39°45'N / 77°00'W | 39°43'N / 76°59'W | 1.90 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | York |
| 44.7 | 1978-08-28 | 2 | 39°48'N / 77°02'W | 39°45'N / 77°00'W | 3.30 Miles | 20 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Adams |
| 45.1 | 2004-09-17 | 2 | 38°48'N / 77°26'W | 38°54'N / 77°27'W | 7.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 1 | 2.5M | 0 | Fairfax |
| Brief Description: A tornadic thunderstorm entered western Fairfax County from Prince William County. The storm had a path of about 7 miles. Beginning on Old Centerville Road, the storm produced scattered tree damage along its path and minor roofing damage to structures in the London Town Area. A line of damage was carved from Lee Highway northward into the Centerville and Chantilly areas.The tornado destroyed one estate and damaged about 50 other dwellings. The storm was also responsible for downed trees and power lines. The tornado lifted as it crossed Route 50. | |||||||||||
| 45.5 | 1993-09-27 | 2 | 38°47'N / 77°42'W | 38°49'N / 77°40'W | 3.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 2 | 500K | 0 | Fauquier And Prince William |
| Brief Description: Thunderstorms moved through norther Virginia downing trees near Tanners and Madison in Madison County and across northern Culpeper County. A tornado touched down near New Baltimore, or about 2.5 miles east of Warrenton in Faquier County, and moved east into Prince William County to about 2 miles southwest of Manassas. The tornado ripped a barn roof off and blew a large business sign down as well as downing trees and power lines. There was significant structural damage to one home in the Nokesville area. Two people sustained minor injuries from flying debris. | |||||||||||
| 46.6 | 2004-09-17 | 2 | 38°42'N / 77°45'W | 38°52'N / 77°44'W | 13.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 750K | 0 | Fauquier |
| Brief Description: An F2 tornado produced widespread structural damage to two subdivisions in northern Fauquier County. Some small items were turned into projectiles by this tornado and landed in trees and the sides of homes and some vehicles. There was substantial tree damage. Numerous large, healthy trees were uprooted and snapped. This is the third tornado of this event in Fauquier. | |||||||||||
| 47.2 | 2001-09-24 | 2 | 39°44'N / 76°59'W | 39°48'N / 76°56'W | 5.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 900K | 0 | York |
| Brief Description: A tornado touched down near Grand Valley Road at 17:33 EST about 5 miles South of Hanover PA. The tornado proceded northward, through Parkville then lifting to the north of Blooming Grove at 17:40 EST. The path of the tornado was about 5 miles in length but not always on the ground while the width varied from 50 to 200 yards. The top wind speeds were estimated at 110 to 120 mph. There were no injuries or deaths. Significant damage included 8 homes with roofs torn off, brick and structural damage to several additional homes, 50 to 75 trees knocked down, 38 cars damaged at a car dealership, significant roof and water damage to a middle school and administration building, and significant structural damage to a store complex northwest of Blooming Grove. | |||||||||||
| 47.7 | 1996-06-24 | 2 | 38°50'N / 77°31'W | 38°50'N / 77°13'W | 19.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 1 | 4.0M | 0 | Fairfax |
| Brief Description: A tornado, associated with the mesocyclone of a heavy-precipitation supercell, touched down in extreme southeastern Loudoun Co near the Bull Run, then proceeded east-southeast for 20 miles, knocking down over 1000 trees and causing substantial property damage, especially in western Fairfax County, before lifting along the Capital Beltway at the Braddock Road interchange less than 2 miles west of Annandale. While moving over rural terrain in extreme southeastern Loudoun and extreme western Fairfax Cos, the tornado uprooted or snapped tens of trees. The storm rapidly intensified over western Fairfax Co, where it produced F2 damage. The storm uprooted or snapped hundreds of trees along Pleasant Valley Road (local route 621) before moving into the Sully Station area of Centreville, where it produced estimated winds of over 130 mph. The most impressive damage occurred along Tree Line Drive, where 11 of 17 homes incurred moderate to major damage. Eight homes were condemned due to major damage or total destruction, including one which lost it's entire roof and back wall. Dozens more homes sustained moderate damage, including shingle, siding, chimney, roof, and window damage. After passing through Sully Station, the twister weakened somewhat, producing F1-rated damage until just south of Fairfax City (near Burke), then weakened to F0 intensity before it was overwhelmed by straight-line winds near the Capital Beltway. The storm accelerated on an east-southeast track roughly paralleling Braddock Road. Additional damage was incurred to residences and trees from subdivisions west of Fairfax City to just north of Burke (south of Fairfax City), continuing to the Annandale area. The combined efforts of several agencies produced property damage estimates along the track (not including flora) to be $2.99 million. Included in that total are 323 homes which sustained minor damage. An estimated 80 thousand homes lost power along the track of the tornado in Fairfax Co, with some homes not receiving juice until several days after the event. | |||||||||||
| 47.8 | 1978-08-28 | 2 | 39°43'N / 76°59'W | 39°34'N / 76°47'W | 14.80 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Frederick |
| 49.3 | 1969-08-09 | 2 | 38°52'N / 77°14'W | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Fairfax | |||
| 49.4 | 1983-10-13 | 2 | 38°53'N / 77°12'W | 1.00 Mile | 40 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Falls Church (c) | |
| 49.7 | 1979-09-05 | 3 | 38°47'N / 77°05'W | 39°00'N / 77°16'W | 17.90 Miles | 300 Yards | 1 | 6 | 2.5M | 0 | Fairfax |
* 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.