Three Tornadoes Confirmed From March 31, 2017

Summary:

NWS storm survey determined an EF-0 tornado first touched down on Green Tree Rd in Chesapeake, causing EF-0 damage to three warehouses. The tornado quickly lifted and continued east. The tornado touched down again, just east of Kempsville Rd, along Kemp Bridge Lane, as a rapidly intensifying EF-1. On the east side of Kemp Bridge Lane, several homes lost sections of roofing and outer walls were removed. Winds were ~97 mph. The tornado intensified, moving east to destroy a single wide mobile home (which was empty at the time) and severely damaged a metal storage building. The tornado at this point was approaching EF-2 intensity.

The tornado strengthened to an EF-2 (120 mph) before striking the Real Life Christian Church on Centerville Turnpike. The church, a large metal building, was destroyed by the tornado, with the sanctuary completely demolished. The tornado weakened as it continued east-northeast across Stumpy Lake. It emerged from Stumpy Lake along Elbow Rd as an EF-0, causing significant damage to siding and shingles to homes north of Elbow Rd. The tornado crossed Round Hill Dr and then Elbow Rd as an EF-1. It caused significant damage to oak trees, which trapped a car (no injuries). The tornado continued to Salem and Elbow Rd, causing some roof damage to homes.

(cont.)The tornado briefly weakened, moving northeast to cause light damage to siding and shingles along Starwood Arch, Antelope Place, Salem Lake Blvd, and Morning View Dr. It intensified again as it crossed Centennial Circle, damaging homes along Daiquiri Lane and Darrow St. By the time the tornado crossed Rock Lake Loop, it had intensified to an EF-1, causing severe roof damage to homes from Rip Rap Ct to River Rock Arch. This is where the tornado reached its widest point of up to 350 yards wide, causing damage to ~100 homes in this area. Several homes were damaged beyond repair as winds reached 110 mph.

It continued northeast, destroying the club house and press box at the Landstown High School ball field. Several sets of heavy bleachers were tossed well over 200 yards. The tornado weakened as it crossed Princess Ann Rd, Tidewater Community College. It moved across Rosemont Dr as an EF-0, damaging numerous homes along Light Horse Loop and Storm Bird Loop. The last visible damage was across Buckner Blvd near the east end of Purebread Dr. The tornado was off the ground by the time the storm reached Holland Rd.

The NWS wishes to thank both Chesapeake and Virginia Beach Emergency Services for outstanding support during the tornado survey. Both agencies provided detailed maps of damage and excellent footage.

Summary:

NWS storm survey determined an EF-1 tornado occurred along and just west of White Marsh Rd, about 2 miles southeast of downtown Suffolk. Numerous trees were downed or snapped, and one outbuilding was destroyed. The debris from the outbuilding damaged the adjacent house. The tornado crossed White Marsh Rd, where it entered the Great Dismal Swamp and was no longer visible. Based on radar data, and the discovery of minor damage on the east edge of Dismal Swamp in the Deep Creek section of Chesapeake, the decision was made to extend the tornado track to connect the Suffolk damage to the Deep Creek damage. This brings the total tornado path to 12.5 miles.

Summary:

NWS storm survey determined an EF-1 tornado caused intermittent damage path nearly 5 miles long and 50-100 yards wide. Initial damage, mainly to trees, was seen along and just west of Sally Freeman Rd, where additional damage to trees and a mobile home were seen. The path then continued to Quebec Rd, north of Rt 42, where multiple trees were downed, some farm buildings were damaged, and a mobile home was overturned and destroyed. The tornado weakened as it moved into the wooded area adjacent to the location of the damage mentioned above. The damage was most intense near the northeast end of the track.