The May 5, 1989 tornado

F4Spartanburg, Cherokee and Rutherford counties, North Carolina and South Carolina

An F4 tornado on a 15.0-mile path that killed 2 and injured 35. 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 path, minute by minute.

About this replay

Local time (CST)—Historical replay — logged times

Distance—of 15.0 miles

Now in—

RatingF4

The tornado

Rating: F4; Fujita scale
Path length: 15.0 mi; Width up to 700 yards
Killed: 2; Along the whole path
Injured: 35; Along the whole path
Date and time: Friday, May 5, 1989; 4:20 PM CST
That day: 21; tornadoes in the U.S.; more on this date

Counties on its path

Spartanburg CountySC
Cherokee CountySC
Rutherford CountyNC

Other notable tornadoes that day

F4, Cleveland County4 killed
F4, Union County1 killed

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