F4 Tornado — Dinwiddie, Prince George and Chesterfield, Virginia

1993-08-06 · near Petersburg, Dinwiddie, Prince George and Chesterfield, Virginia

Event narrative

The most devastating tornado of the day touched down one mile southwest of Petersburg at approximately 1330 EDT. This tornado rapidly grew in size and strength as it moved northeast into the commercial historic district of Petersburg. Numerous homes and businesses sustained major damage. Damage estimates for the area were $15 million. Forty people were injured. The tornado crossed the river into Colonial Heights and struck one of the area's shopping districts. It destroyed some buildings and did major damage to numerous other buildings including the the Wal-Mart, where three people were killed and nearly 200 were injured. Total damage estimates in Colonial Heights were $29.5 million. The tornado crossed the Appomattox River again into Prince George County where it struck a sand and gravel pit company. A block building collapsed and numerous vehicles and other equipment were destroyed. One person was killed. Damage estimates were $750,000. It then moved into the northern section of Hopewell, where it ripped into the Riverside Park Apartment Complex, tearing the roofs off of several buildings. Minor damage was done to another 49 homes, major damage to 13 homes and 2 were destroyed. The tornado weakened then dissipated near the confluence of the Appomattox and James Rivers. Eight people were reported injured and damage estimates were $2.2 million. (F48O) (F40O) (F56O) (M28O)

View location on OpenStreetMap → (37.2000, -77.4300)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 10356499. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.