WCFR offer basic storm spotter training
Warren County Fire and Rescue (WCFR) announced that they are partnering with the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) to provide free Skywarn basic storm spotter training.
After training weather spotters help keep their local communities safe by providing timely and accurate reports of severe weather to the NWS.
The practice can help reduce injuries and possibly even deaths along with preventing damage from serve weather.
The session will be at the Warren County Public Safety Building Community Room December 16 from 6 to 8 p.m.
The location is 200 Skyline Vista Drive Front Royal.
Registration is suggested and can be made here.
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NWS confirms 3 tornadoes in central Virginia
The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed that 3 tornadoes struck Central Virginia on Thur. June 16.
The first struck Fluvanna and Goochland Counties with 75 mile per hour winds around 6:35 accompanied by 3 inch size hail causing significant damage.
The path of destruction was about 2 and a half miles long 75 yards wide.
The tornado was recorded as an EF-0.
A second EF-1 tornado was confirmed in Goochland County with 95 mile per hour winds at 23 miles in length and 150 yards wide striking at 7:05 p.m..
A third EF-0 tornado was confirmed in Goochland Fluvanna Counties as traveling approximately 24 miles in length and 75 yards wide.
That tornado recorded high winds at 75 miles per hour.
As many as 16 homes were damaged with widespread power outages.
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NWS confirms a tornado in Bedford County Virginia
The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed that an EF-2 tornado touched down in Bedford County.
The Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) reports that 35 structures received varying levels of damage.
Fifteen of those 35 structures were homes with three of those structures being destroyed.
Two minor injuries have been reported with county officials calling some of the damage catastrophic.
Total path of destruction is estimated to be over 6 miles long with a width of 330 yards.
Winds reached up to 135 miles per hour with the storm tracking in a north northeasterly direction from 7:25 to 7:36 a.m. May 27.
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NWS confirms an EF-1 tornado in Augusta County
The National Weather Service (NWS) confirms that an EF-1 tornado struck Fishersville in Augusta County on April 26.
The storm produced 90 mile per hour winds cutting a path 6 miles long and 75 yards wide.
Trees were snapped and uprooted.
Significant damage was recorded at a barn with a farmhouse losing its metal roof.
Wood from the barn lofted and was carried approximately 125 yards to become embedded in the ground in several directions.
The storm traveled west to east and finally dissipated in Waynesboro but not before ripping a steeple off a church and dropping a large tree onto a home causing considerable damage.
The tornado touched down in Fishersville at 1:04 p.m. and dissipated in Waynesboro at 1:15 p.m..
The NWS reminds citizens to heed tornado warnings when they are issued.
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NWS warns of enhanced fire risk in VA.
The National Weather Service warns that low humidity and high winds of gust up to 30 miles per hour over the last couple of days will enhance fire risk.
Fires have been reported in several areas of Virginia over the last couple of days with many pushed by the current conditions.
Caution is advised when handling any machinery and be sure to properly dispose of any smoking materials.
The current conditions enhance the risk of a fire making it hard to control and difficult to contain.
Burn laws in Virginia remain in effect until Apr. 30.
Until then outdoor fires before 4 p.m. are discouraged.
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The VA. Statewide Tornado Drill was today 3/8
Severe weather week continues today Mar. 8 with the annual statewide tornado drill which was held at 9:45 a.m..
The National Weather Service (NWS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) clarifies that a tornado watch means a tornado is possible a warning means to take action and take shelter immediately.
It is a good idea to have a plan ahead of time.
You will want to identify safe rooms or protective locations in your home, school or business.
Try to implement an emergency communication plan for you and your family.
You are encouraged to have an emergency kit at the ready with a checklist available at vaemergency.gov along with additional information.
There were 87 tornadoes recorded in 2004 and 25 recorded in 2017.
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