The May 5, 1989 tornado

F4Union County, North Carolina

An F4 tornado on a 13.0-mile path that killed 1 and injured 6. It was one of 21 tornadoes recorded in the U.S. that day, 4 of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.

Watch how it happened

F4 tornado · May 5, 1989

How it happened

Follow the tornado’s recorded path from touchdown to lift-off.

About this replay

Distance travelled—Historical replay — even pace

Distance—of 13.0 miles

Now in—

RatingF4

Path milestones

Damage pathDrawn at its recorded maximum width, 500 yards

TownsSized by population today; those within 3 miles flash as it passes

Counties on the pathLit as the tornado enters them

Source: Storm Prediction Center path, drawn through NOAA Storm Events county segments. Times along the path were not logged, so the replay moves at an even pace. Towns are today’s Census places.

The tornado

Rating: F4; Fujita scale
Path length: 13.0 mi; Width up to 500 yards
Killed: 1; Along the whole path
Injured: 6; Along the whole path
Date and time: Friday, May 5, 1989; 6:01 PM CST
That day: 21; tornadoes in the U.S.; more on this date

Counties on its path

Union CountyNC

Other notable tornadoes that day

F4, Spartanburg County2 killed
F4, Cleveland County4 killed

Storm Prediction Center severe weather database. Path drawn as a straight line from the recorded start to end point.