Lunenburg escapes storm damage – Offers help to other areas

LUNENBURG – Lunenburg County Public Schools released kids early last Wednesday afternoon in anticipation of severe thunderstorms in the area. While there was potential for high winds, Superintendent Charles Berkley made the prudent move to close schools early. But as sun was shining around 2:30, nobody expected the devastation that was about to take place all around Lunenburg.

Tornadoes in areas around Virginia including Waverly, Appomattox and Mecklenburg injured many and killed four people. This was the first time there have been deadly tornadoes in February in Virginia.

A tornado in Appomattox was rated an EF-3, with wind speeds estimated at 136 to 165 mph, according to the National Weather Service. The Waverly tornado was rated an EF-1 with wind speeds estimated at 100 to 110 mph and claimed the life of three people, including a small child.

While all of the devastation was taking place around the area and Governor Terry McAuliffe was declaring a state of emergency, Lunenburg luckily escaped with relatively little damage. While tracking the storms on Accuweather.com radar throughout the event, it was noticed that the strongest areas of the storms literally passed right above and below Lunenburg or even dissipated as they entered this area.

A few trees were toppled and there were a few minor electrical interruptions, but this area was spared of any major issues.

Victoria Fire and Rescue Chief Rodney Newton worked the Radiocache communications efforts in Appomattox following the storm and helped as that area began to try to recover from the tornado and storms that devastated their county.

Lunenburg County Administrator Tracy Gee said that she has been in contact with

Susan Adams, the County Administrator in Appomattox, to offer any help that they may need.

Mrs. Gee stated, “I am very grateful that Lunenburg did not suffer any losses and saddened by the loss of life in Evergreen (Appomattox) and Waverly.  My heart  goes out to those who lost loved ones and the many folks were displaced from their homes due to damage.”