Power Outage in Sparta, NC

Wind gusts downed trees and power lines throughout the county. Significant damage occurred to a building in downtown Sparta when a roof was blown off the structure. Damage values are estimated.

Snowfall reports from the public ranged from 4 to 4.5 inches around the county, with reports coming from Twin Oaks and Ennice. There were several incidents of snow covered trees falling onto power lines. Key Impacts: Power outages, impassable snow covered roads, traffic delays.

Skywarn-trained weather spotters and a member of the general public observed ice accumulations from freezing rain ranging from 0.15 to 0.4 inches in thickness across portions of Alleghany County, including around the communities of Glade Valley, Sparta and Piney Creek. Key impacts: power outages; hazardous travel conditions; tree damage; schools closed.

Skywarn-trained weather spotters and members of the general public observed ice accumulations ranging from 0.25 to 0.5 inches in thickness across portions of Alleghany County, including around the communities of Sparta, Roaring Gap and Barrett. Modest sleet accumulations of up to 0.1 inches were also observed in spots across the county. Numerous trees and tree limbs were also brought down by the weight of the icing. Key impacts: power outages; hazardous to impossible travel conditions; automobile accidents; widespread tree damage.

About a half dozen trees were blown down by severe thunderstorm winds across the county. A few trees were also noted to have fallen onto power lines. A barn was also damaged and blown into a mobile home.

About a half dozen trees were blown down by severe thunderstorm winds across the county. A few trees were also noted to have fallen onto power lines. A barn was also damaged and blown into a mobile home.

Ice accretion totals across the county ranged from 0.25 inches at a location one mile south-southwest of Whitehead and also at a location three miles west-southwest of Piney Creek, and 0.40 inches at a location three miles northeast of Sparta. Power outages due to downed power lines included at least 1000 customers. Damage values are estimated.

Damaging wind gusts, estimated to be 40 mph to locally 60 mph, blew down numerous trees across the county. The strong winds and falling trees caused damage to the power grid in at least 5 locations across the county, leaving more than 100 people without power.

Snow broke out across the county late Thursday evening and continued through the day Friday. It mixed with sleet and freezing rain during the day Friday when warmer air moved in aloft. The precipitation ended as snow showers Friday evening. Total snow accumulations of 7 to 8 inches were common. Ice accumulation of up to 0.20 inches was reported in the Ennice area.||The snow and freezing rain combined to bring down numerous trees and power lines across the county. Some structures were also damaged by the falling trees.

A report of 0.6 inches of ice near Ennice was recieved. Tree and power lines were also reported down.

A few trees and power lines were downed throughout the county. A tin roof was damaged three miles south of Sparta.

One quarter to one third of an inch of glaze occurred during this event. The weight of the ice downed trees and power lines in the county.