M 5.1 - 4 km SE of Sparta, North Carolina

Yellow alert for economic losses. Some damage is possible and the impact should be relatively localized. Estimated economic losses are less than 1% of GDP of the United States. Past events with this alert level have required a local or regional level response.

Structure Information Summary

Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are resistant to earthquake shaking, though vulnerable structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are unreinforced brick masonry and reinforced masonry construction.

Below is some information from the FEMA Briefing received 8/10/2020

Earthquake – Sparta, NC
• At 8:07 a.m. ET on August 9, a magnitude 5.1 earthquake occurred 2 miles SE of Sparta, NC, (pop. 1,170) at a depth of 2 miles; felt as a MMI of VII
• Yellow PAGER was issued for economic losses, indicating that some damage is possible but the impact should be localized
• Green PAGER was issued for fatalities, indicating a low likelihood of casualties
• Region IV received reports of minor damage (cracked sheet rock and patio concrete) in Alleghany and Wilkes counties, NC • No fatalities or injuries reported 

Click here for the full report from FEMA (it's a pdf)