Tornado with 100 mph winds leaves trail of destruction in Northumberland, Richmond Counties

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Wednesday’s tornado wreaked havoc in Northumberland and Richmond Counties, leaving behind a scene of devastation with downed power lines, fallen trees and homes stripped of their roofs.

Residents are now grappling with the aftermath as they come together to clean up and rebuild in the wake of the destructive storm.

The impact of the tornado is evident, with large chunks of roofs torn off and trees uprooted from the ground.

The National Weather Service has confirmed the tornado’s touchdown in the two counties, categorizing it as an EF1 tornado with wind gusts reaching up to 100 miles per hour. The powerful winds carried debris for miles, leaving a path of destruction in its wake.

While some residents were fortunate to have only experienced minor damage, others face significant challenges as their homes and buildings have now been left uninhabitable.

Seth Williams, a resident whose home was partially destroyed, recalls the terrifying sight of tree branches swirling in the air as the tornado struck. He said it happened within minutes, describing the pictures on his walls shaking.

“It just sounds like a train. It was loud… and then it was quiet,” Williams said. “I came out and saw that and I said, ‘Aw man, look at this mess.’”

Dale Winston, another affected resident, reflects on the destruction of his farm, emphasizing gratitude that no injuries were reported. Despite the extensive damage, Winston remains resilient, expressing determination to clean up.

“So far, everyone’s doing ok. Just gonna have to clean up and rebuild, that’s all you can do,” he said.

The National Weather Service conducted assessments on Thursday, stating that the tornado’s path stretched a little over five miles.

County officials have deployed damage assessment teams and established debris disposal sites to aid in the recovery efforts.

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