The quake, which is epicentered in Alleghany County, was felt as far away as South Carolina and Georgia, according to social media reports. The USGS received reports more than 300 miles away, in Atlanta.
It hit ET at 8:07 p.m.
“It felt like a big locomotive passed by and a big wave came under the bed,” said Sparta mayor Wes Brinegar, who was awakened by the quake. “A great wave that is coming to lift you up.”
There are no immediate reports of injuries, but there is some minor damage in the city of about 1,800 people, he said.
“Cracked foundation, and goods fall from planks into houses,” Brinegar said. “I’ve lived here my whole life and have never felt such a thing.”
The USGS says earthquakes are destructive on a magnitude of 4.0 to 5.0, depending on variables. A 5.3 magnitude is considered a moderate quake, the USGS says.
City Councilman Cole Edwards was also kicked awake by the quake, he said. He did not damage his house, but it broke some dishes and hit some pictures of the wall, he said.
“We had a lot of scared people this morning,” the mayor said. “That was the most intense we’ve ever had.”
The quake struck at a depth of about 5.7 miles, which is considered a shallow earthquake. Quakes less than 43 miles are most destructive then deeper, the USGS says.
Sparta is located about 100 miles north of Charlotte. A Charlotte fire department union tweeted that there were no reports of injuries.
The Sparta region is located between three seismic zones, in Charleston, South Carolina, eastern Tennessee and central Virginia. Several smaller shakes, all 2.6 or larger or lower, rallied at Sparta on Saturday and early Sunday. Two more torpedoes struck a few miles from Seymour, Tennessee last weekend, the USGS said.
CNN’s Chandler Thornton and Chuck Johnston contributed to this report.
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