Bloomberg is reporting:
Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine declared a state of emergency yesterday after tornadoes injured about 200 people and caused damage in the cities of Colonial Heights and Suffolk.Volunteer agencies including the American Red Cross set up shelters and police closed several roads during the storms. Sentara Obici Hospital in Suffolk was damaged by the tornadoes and is still receiving patients, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management said on its Web site.
According to the AP, the storm in Suffolk was a "major tornado," while "the Brunswick County tornado was estimated at 86 mph to 110 mph, and cut a 300-yard path of destruction."
The first tornado touched down around 1 p.m. in Brunswick County, said Mike Rusnak, a weather service meteorologist in Wakefield. The second struck Colonial Heights around 3:40 p.m., he said.The third touched down multiple times, between 4:30 to 5 p.m., and is believed to have caused damage over a 25-mile path from Suffolk to Norfolk, Rusnak said.
Fortunately, nobody was killed in these storms. Also, they now appear to be over. Still, yesterday was not a good day for parts of southeastern Virginia.
thank goodness no fatalities
STATEMENT OF SENATOR WEBB ON
TORNADOES IN SUFFOLK AND COLONIAL HEIGHTSWashington, DC - Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) issued the following statement on the tornadoes in Suffolk and Colonial Heights, Virginia:
"In the aftermath of the devastating tornadoes that tore through the Commonwealth on Monday afternoon, I want to extend to the citizens of Suffolk, Colonial Heights, Brunswick County and other affected communities my deep sympathies on the injuries they have suffered and the property losses they have sustained.
"My office has been in touch with the Governor's office, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, my colleagues from Congress, and local officials to ensure that government brings all the resources it can to bear on the recovery effort. We want to make sure that our response is coordinated, effective and rapid. Equally important, we want to make sure that those who are bringing government assistance stay on the ground until the recovery is complete.
"I commend all of the first responders and health care workers who have helped in the rescue effort.
"In the coming days and weeks, I invite citizens to visit my website www.webb.senate.gov for relevant information about the recovery."
For more information on available resources, please go to http://webb.senate.gov/service...