The Carolina Tornado Outbreak of May 5th, 1989
Yesterday was the 25th anniversary of the worst tornado outbreak to affect the western Carolinas since 1950. This outbreak had the largest number of violent tornadoes to strike the area. There were 3 EF-4 tornadoes on this date. For perspective since then only 1 EF-4 tornado has struck the area since.
via the NWS GSP review:
The 5 May 1989 tornadoes produced around $40 million in damage (adjusted to 2012 dollars), making this the most damaging tornado outbreak in the area since at least 1950. Seven people were killed and over 100 injured, reflecting the most casualties during a single western Carolina tornado outbreak since 16 April 1944. The tornado that moved through portions of northern Cleveland, northwest Lincoln, and southwest Catawba counties in North Carolina was arguably the strongest tornado known to have affected the region, as 4 fatalities, over 50 injuries, and $10 million in damage (adjusted to 2013 dollars) occurred, despite this being a largely rural area. The paucity in violent tornado occurrence observed across the area during the past 25 years may have created a false sense of security, not only among the public, but among forecasters responsible for warning the public of the threat (long term and immediate) of destructive tornadoes.
At the time of the outbreak we had a rare PDS (Particularly Dangerous Tornado) Watch in effect for our area.
The Overall Outbreak:
The amazing thing about this outbreak were 3 tornado in particular. The Cleveland, Lincoln, Catawba county EF-4. The Union Co, NC EF_4 and the Forsyth CO EF-3.
Winston Salem EF-3
The tracked right through downtown Winston-Salem. Amazing only 30 people were injured and no one killed.
Cleveland, Lincoln & Catawba Counties
This was the most deadly tornado of the day killing 4 and injuring 52.
The above image is the radar at the time from Bristol, TN in long pulse mode. We didn’t have Doppler radar yet locally just the old WSR-57 radar and the local radar data was not archived. via GSP NWS.
Union Co., NC
While all the tornadoes this day were scary this one sticks out to me because of it’s location. The track is from 1989 but the map is from 2014. As you can see if this tornado had occurred today the damage and threat to life would have been much greater due to the massive development in western Union Co.
For example I zoomed into the track to show the amount of development that has now occurred in this tornado track.
Makes you think about how development and expansion of urban and suburban areas has made the target for tornadoes larger. It’s also a good reminder that large tornadoes are possible in our area. There is a long history of them occurring here. There just haven’t been as many in recent years even though our area has grown.
Always have a plan for what you and your family will do when a tornado warning is issued.
Interactive map of the damage with pictures via GSP NWS. http://www.erh.noaa.gov/gsp/localdat/cases/1989/5May89Reports.html
