RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — After tornado warnings and severe thunderstorms ripped through the commonwealth Thursday night, causing immense damage in several areas, the National Weather Service has confirmed the existence of three tornadoes touching down in the area.
Now, residents in the areas hit by the severe weather are begging for help.
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Mark and Kim Taylor live in Goochland, where trees could be seen uprooted and littering their yard in the aftermath of the tornadoes. -
Mark and Kim Taylor live in Goochland, where trees could be seen uprooted and littering their yard in the aftermath of the tornadoes. -
Mark and Kim Taylor live in Goochland, where trees could be seen uprooted and littering their yard in the aftermath of the tornadoes.
Tornado 1
A brief, weaker category tornado was tracked just west of Mineral, traveling from the high school to Kennon Road. Trees and power lines were knocked down with no substantial structural damage. In addition, 3-inch hail was spotted, which did result in severe damage.
- Estimated peak wind speed: 75 miles per hour
- Path length: 2.5 miles
- Path width: 75 yards
- Start time: 6:36 p.m.
- End time: 6:40 p.m.
Tornado 2
The second, slightly more powerful tornado was tracked in Kents Store, in Fluvanna County. The tornado was tracked from Kents Store southeast to Maidens near Goochland. Damage and winds of 95 mph were found along Old Stage Road and Castle Rock Road in Goochland.
- Estimated peak wind speed: 95 miles per hour
- Path length: 23 miles
- Path width: 150 yards
- Start time: 7:05 p.m.
- End time: 7:56 p.m.
Tornado 3
The third tracked tornado was also found in the vicinity of Goochland and Fluvanna Counties. The estimated peak wind speed was 75 mph, slightly weaker than the one before it. This tornado was formed from a second circulation, right behind the path of the initial tornado that went through the area. It was tracked having traveled a path parallel from the first, with damages found south of Kents Store to south of Maidens.
- Estimated peak wind speed: 75 miles per hour
- Path length: 24 miles
- Path width: 75 yards
- Start time: 7:36 p.m.
- End time: 8:12 p.m.
The tornadoes left thousands of people without power, with numbers especially concentrated in King William County, and with heavy damage to properties in Goochland County.
Mark and Kim Taylor live in Goochland, where trees could be seen uprooted and littering their yard in the aftermath of the tornadoes.
“It’s like a nightmare,” Kim said when looking at all the damage.
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Mark and Kim Taylor live in Goochland, where trees could be seen uprooted and littering their yard in the aftermath of the tornadoes. -
Mark and Kim Taylor live in Goochland, where trees could be seen uprooted and littering their yard in the aftermath of the tornadoes.
The couple’s electricity has been knocked out, and they have been left begging for someone, anyone to help them and their neighbors.
“The governor, the president, somebody needs to come down here and give us some help. Thirty trees, $20,000 worth of damage. Come on, somebody,” Kim said.
After her home was rocked by the severe storms and tornadoes Thursday, Kim is hoping people don’t forget her nightmare, and is calling out to Gov. Glenn Youngkin for help.
“Help. We need some help over here in Goochland, not just us, it’s serval homes,” Kim said.
This article was written with reporting by 8News reporter, Ben Dennis.
