Wakefield, VA

Weather Forecast Office

September 17, 2018 Tornadoes

Overview

On the morning of September 17th, the remnant low of Florence was tracking across the Appalachians. The Wakefield CWA was on the east side of the low and a large area of stratiform rain was moving through much of central Virginia on the morning of the 17th with a few thunderstorms over far south-central VA/north-central NC. Winds were out of the SE at the surface at around 10 mph across much of central VA. However, as is the case with many decaying tropical cyclones, winds just above the surface were slower to diminish. The 10 AM 925hPa analysis showed winds out of the south at 30-40 mph. Thus, a large amount of low-level speed and directional shear was in place over parts of the area. This allowed for 0-1 km Storm Relative Helicity values to exceed 250 m2/s2 over our southwestern counties during the mid-morning hours. The morning thunderstorms (including the one that produced the Boydton tornado) formed in a high shear/low CAPE environment before maximum daytime heating. However, the worst of this tornado event was still to come.

Just a slight increase in temperatures (coupled with dew points in the mid 70s across central VA) during the late morning/early afternoon allowed for a noticeable increase in instability. By 2-3 PM on the afternoon of the 17th, daytime heating allowed for SBCAPE to increase to 2500-3000 J/kg just south and east of the Richmond metro (with in excess of 2000 J/kg of MLCAPE). See Environment section for more details. With most of the realized CAPE in the lower part of the atmosphere, 3 PM SPC Mesoanalysis indicated that there were localized values of 0-1km SRH values of 250 m2/s2 over central VA (likely due to local backing of surface winds). Coupled with low LCLs, this created a near-ideal conditions for low-topped supercells to produce tornadoes in the Richmond metro area. As a result, nine additional tornadoes (EF-0 to EF-2) touched down in the Richmond metro between 1:30 and 4:30 PM. This turned out to be the most active tornado day in the AKQ CWA in over a year.

***Please note that some of this data is preliminary and is subject to change***

Tornadoes
Photos
Radar
Storm Reports
Environment

Tornadoes:

Tornado - Boydton, Virginia
MECKLENBERG COUNTY

Date	9/17/2018
Time (Local)	10:35 to 10:50 AM
EF Rating	EF-0
Est. Peak Winds	80-85 mph
Path Length	9 miles
Max Width	100 yards (wind damage extended outwards to 300 yards)
Injuries/Deaths	none
Summary: An EF0 tornado was confirmed by an National Weather Service Storm Survey in Mecklenburg County. The tornado touched down near Skipwith Road and Moores Road around 1035 AM where numerous trees were downed. The storm then tracked northeast, while intermittently touching down causing widespread tree damage. The tornado made it`s last touchdown near highway 47 about 6 miles east of Chase City where numerous trees were downed near the Salem Methodist Church. Structure damage to several houses and outbuildings were noted, however all structure damage was due to downed trees. This statement will be updated later in the week as more information arrives to the NWS.

Track Map

Tornado - Rockville
HANOVER COUNTY

Date	9/17/2018
Time (Local)	1:33 to 1:38 PM
EF Rating	EF-1
Est. Peak Winds	95-105 mph
Path Length	1 mile
Max Width	100 yards
Injuries/Deaths	none
Summary: A brief EF-1 tornado touched down just northwest of the intersection of Echo Meadows Road and Rockville Road in Hanover county. The storm then moved north-northeast, causing numerous trees to be uprooted or snapped. In addition, an open shed was completely destroyed, with numerous round bales of hay moved into the field to the north. The tornado then lifted near Franklin Hills Drive.

Track Map

Tornado - Winterpock to Moseley
CHESTERFIELD COUNTY

Date	9/17/2018
Time (Local)	2:46 to 3:08 PM
EF Rating	EF-1
Est. Peak Winds	90-100 mph
Path Length	9 miles
Max Width	150 yards
Injuries/Deaths	none known
Summary: The tornado first crossed Beaver Bridge Road and then Beach Road. The bulk of the structural damage occurred in the Hampton Park Neighborhood. It then crossed Hull street and entered Moseley, before dissipating near the Fox Club Parkway.

Track Map

Tornado - Richmond (city) to Tuckahoe
HENRICO COUNTY/CITY OF RICHMOND

Date	9/17/2018
Time (Local)	3:32 to 3:42 PM
EF Rating	EF-1
Est. Peak Winds	90-95 mph
Path Length	3.8 miles
Max Width	100 yards
Injuries/Deaths	none
Summary: An EF-1 tornado touched down in the Stony Point area of the City of Richmond just south of W Huguenot Rd. The tornado then tracked northward into Tuckahoe before lifting just south of Three Chopt Road. Numerous trees were downed/snapped with air conditioning units blown off the West End Church near W Parham Rd.

Track Map

Tornado - Winterpock to Bon Air
CHESTERFIELD COUNTY

Date	9/17/2018
Time (Local)	3:38 to 3:56 PM
EF Rating	EF-2
Est. Peak Winds	115-125 mph
Path Length	7.5 miles
Max Width	350 yards
Injuries/Deaths	1/1 in Old Dominion Flooring Warehouse
Summary: Beginning in Winterpock, the tornado started as a weak EF-1 before moving into a residential area north of River Road. The tornado reached peak intensity (EF-2) when it crossed Hull Street Road. At this point, it took off the roof of Gabe's and damaged several other businesses. After crossing Hull Street Road, it destroyed the Old Dominion Warehouse, where one person was killed (and at least one was injured). It remained an EF-2 until about Gregwood Drive completely destroying trees and damaging other structures. It then quickly weakened to an EF-0 as it reached Powhite Parkway, and continued as an EF-0 toward Route 60 in Bon Air.

Track Map

Tornado - Petersburg Rd (2 S Genito Rd)
POWHATAN COUNTY

Date	9/17/2018
Time (Local)	3:55 to 3:58 PM
EF Rating	EF-0
Est. Peak Winds	75-80 mph
Path Length	200 yards
Max Width	75 yards
Injuries/Deaths	none
Summary: This was a weak tornado that uprooted a few trees and snapped some tree limbs.

Track Map

Tornado - New Kent Road
CITY OF RICHMOND

Date	9/17/2018
Time (Local)	Approx. 4:05 PM
EF Rating	EF-0
Est. Peak Winds	75 mph
Path Length	0.25 miles
Max Width	75 yards
Injuries/Deaths	none
Summary: The tornado briefly touched down on New Kent Road where numerous trees were snapped.

Track Map

Tornado - Richmond Metro East
CITY OF RICHMOND

Date	9/17/2018
Time (Local)	4:14 to 4:16 PM
EF Rating	EF-0
Est. Peak Winds	85 mph
Path Length	1.3 miles
Max Width	75 yards
Injuries/Deaths	none
Summary: The tornado touched down on West Wood Avenue, then onto Confederate Avenue and Lamont Street where numerous trees and several power poles were snapped.

Track Map

Tornado - Richmond Forest Hill
CITY OF RICHMOND

Date	9/17/2018
Time (Local)	4:57 to 5:00 PM
EF Rating	EF-0
Est. Peak Winds	80 mph
Path Length	1.07 miles
Max Width	75 yards
Injuries/Deaths	none
Summary: The tornado touched down near Strattford Rd, then moved north across Chippenham Pkwy, ending near Cherokee Rd where numerous trees and several power poles were snapped.

Track Map

Tornado - Windsor Farms
CITY OF RICHMOND

Date	9/17/2018
Time (Local)	4:23 to 4:26 PM
EF Rating	EF-0
Est. Peak Winds	75 mph
Path Length	1.39 miles
Max Width	75 yards
Injuries/Deaths	none
Summary: The tornado touched down in the City of Richmond on the north side of the James River between Byrd Park and the Powhite Parkway. The tornado continued across the Powhite Parkway into the Windsor Farms section of the City of Richmond. The tornado mainly snapped and uprooted trees along its path.

Track Map

The Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale classifies tornadoes into the following categories:

EF0 Weak 65-85 mph	EF1 Moderate 86-110 mph	EF2 Significant 111-135 mph	EF3 Severe 136-165 mph	EF4 Extreme 166-200 mph	EF5 Catastrophic 200+ mph

Photos:

Storm Damage Photos


Old Dominion Flooring Warehouse (NWS Storm Survey Photo)	Roof from Old Dominion Flooring (NWS Storm Survey Photo)	Damage in Chesterfield County (NWS Storm Survey Photo)	Damage in Chesterfield County (NWS Storm Survey Photo)

Damage in Chesterfield County (NWS Storm Survey Photo)	Damage in Chesterfield County (NWS Storm Survey Photo)	Damage in Chesterfield County (NWS Storm Survey Photo)	Damage in Chesterfield County (NWS Storm Survey Photo)

Damage in Chesterfield County (NWS Storm Survey Photo)	Damage in Chesterfield County (NWS Storm Survey Photo)	Damage in Chesterfield County (NWS Storm Survey Photo)	Damage in Chesterfield County (NWS Storm Survey Photo)

Damage in Chesterfield County (NWS Storm Survey Photo)	Damage in Chesterfield County (NWS Storm Survey Photo)	Damage in City of Richmond (NWS Storm Survey Photo)	Damage in Chesterfield County (NWS Storm Survey Photo)

Radar:

Selected Radar Images


3 PM 0.5° Reflectivity Image	3 PM 0.5° SRM Image	3:40 PM 0.5° Reflectivity Image	3:40 PM 0.5° SRM Image

Storm Reports

NOUS41 KAKQ 190350 CCA
PNSAKQ
MDZ021>025-NCZ012>017-030>032-102-VAZ048-060>062-064>069-075>090-
092-093-095>100-509>525-190900-

Public Information Statement...Corrected
National Weather Service Wakefield VA 
454 PM EDT Tue Sep 18 2018

*** NOTE ALL INFORMATION PRELIMINARY AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE ***

...NWS DAMAGE SURVEY FOR 09/17/2018 TORNADO EVENT...

.Chesterfield EF-2...

Start Location...Winterpock in Chesterfield CO Virginia
End Location...Bon Air in Chesterfield CO Virginia
Date...September 17, 2018
Estimated Time...338PM EDT - 356PM EDT
Maximum EF-Scale Rating...EF-2
Estimated Maximum Wind Speed...115-125 mph
Maximum Path Width...350 yards
Path Length...7.5 miles
Beginning Lat/Lon...37.4065, -77.6107
Ending Lat/Lon...37.5101, -77.5635
* Fatalities...1 in Old Dominion Flooring Warehouse
* Injuries...1 in Old Dominion Flooring Warehouse

...Summary...
Beginning in Winterpock, the tornado started as a weak EF-1 before
moving into a residential area north of River Road.  The tornado 
reached peak intensity, EF-2 when it crossed Hull Street Road.  At 
this point it took off the roof of Gabe's and damaged several other 
businesses.  After crossing Hull Street Road, it destroyed the Old 
Dominion Warehouse, where one person was killed and at least one 
injured. It remained an EF-2 until about Gregwood Drive completely 
destroying trees and damaging other structures.  It then quickly 
dropped to an EF-0 as it reached Chippenham Parkway, and continued 
as an EF-0 toward Route 60 in Bon Air.

.Chesterfield EF-1...

Start Location...Winterpock in Chesterfield CO Virginia
End Location...Moseley in Chesterfield CO Virginia
Date...September 17, 2018
Estimated Time...246PM EDT - 308PM EDT
Maximum EF-Scale Rating...EF-1
Estimated Maximum Wind Speed...90-100 mph
Maximum Path Width...150 yards
Path Length...9.0 miles
Beginning Lat/Lon...37.3208, -77.7684
Ending Lat/Lon...37.4337, -77.6945
* Fatalities...None known.
* Injuries...None known.

...Summary...
The tornado first crossed Beaver Bridge Road and then Beach Road. 
The bulk of the structural damage occurred in the Hampton Park 
neighborhood.  It then crossed Hull Street Road and entered Moseley, 
before dissipating near Fox Club Parkway.

EF Scale: The Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the
following categories:

EF0...Weak......65 to 85 mph
EF1...Weak......86 to 110 mph
EF2...Strong....111 to 135 mph
EF3...Strong....136 to 165 mph
EF4...Violent...166 to 200 mph
EF5...Violent...>200 mph

* The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to
change pending final review of the events and publication in NWS
Storm Data.

$$

NWS/AKQ
NOUS41 KAKQ 191951 CCA
PNSAKQ
MDZ021>025-NCZ012>017-030>032-102-VAZ048-060>062-064>069-075>090-
092-093-095>100-509>525-200900-

Public Information Statement 
National Weather Service Wakefield VA 
350 PM EDT Wed Sep 19 2018

*** NOTE ALL INFORMATION PRELIMINARY AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE ***

...NWS DAMAGE SURVEY FOR 09/17/2018 TORNADO EVENT...

.Richmond - EF0...

Start / End Location...Richmond, Virginia
Date...September 17, 2018
Estimated Time...405 PM EDT 
Maximum EF-Scale Rating...EF-0
Estimated Maximum Wind Speed...75 mph
Maximum Path Width...75 yards
Path Length...0.25 miles
Beginning Lat/Lon...37.5272, -77.4973
Ending Lat/Lon...37.5371, -77.1916

...Summary...
The tornado briefly touched down on New Kent Road where numerous
trees were snapped. 

.Richmond Virginia EF-0...

Start / End Location...Richmond, Virginia
Date...September 17, 2018
Estimated Time...414 PM EDT - 416 PM EDT
Maximum EF-Scale Rating...EF-0
Estimated Maximum Wind Speed...85 mph
Maximum Path Width...75 yards
Path Length...1.3 miles
Beginning Lat/Lon...37.5278, -77.4543
Ending Lat/Lon...37.5965, -77.4493

...Summary...
The tornado touched down on West Wood Ave, then onto Confederate
Ave and Lamont Street where numerous trees and several power poles
were snapped. 

EF Scale: The Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the
following categories:

EF0...Weak......65 to 85 mph
EF1...Weak......86 to 110 mph
EF2...Strong....111 to 135 mph
EF3...Strong....136 to 165 mph
EF4...Violent...166 to 200 mph
EF5...Violent...>200 mph

* The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to
change pending final review of the events and publication in NWS
Storm Data.

$$

Environment

Low Level/Sounding Analysis.