Thunderstorm Wind — Manassas (c), Virginia

2003-07-10 · near Manassas, Manassas (c), Virginia

Event narrative

Trees were downed.

Wider weather episode

Thunderstorms with high winds, very frequent lightning, hail, heavy downpours, and isolated tornadoes moved through Northeast Virginia during the evening of the 10th. In Orange County, small stream flooding was reported along routes 614, 601, and 608 in the northeast portion of the county near Lake of the Woods. In Culpeper County, an F0 tornado touched down near Riva. The tornado pushed northeast and left an intermittent path of tree damage until it lifted near Route 229 about 3 miles north of Culpeper. The tornado was on the ground for 7 miles and was estimated to be about 40 yards wide. The storm also produced a funnel cloud as it passed near the Culpeper Regional Airport just north of Elkwood. Up to 3 inches of rain caused minor flooding across a portion of the county. In Fauquier County, penny sized hail fell in Warrenton. A tree was downed onto Route 603 east of Warrenton. Roads were flooded and a few were washed out in Remington and Bealeton. In Prince William County, trees were downed and nickel sized hail fell in Manassas. Pea sized hail fell in Manassas Park. In Fairfax County, up to 2.5 inches of rainfall caused secondary roads to flood. Small hail fell in Falls Church and McLean. Trees and power lines were downed between Annandale and Springfield, including one tree which fell onto Hooes Road. A few trees were downed onto Compton Road in Centreville. In Arlington County, a few trees were downed in North Arlington. In Stafford County, an F0 tornado touched down about 5 miles southeast of Falmouth near Route 3. The tornado moved northeast and damaged trees until it lifted near Route 218 on the King George County line. The tornado was about 50 yards wide and was on the ground for 5 miles. In Falmouth, lightning struck a car on Butler Road. Two people inside the vehicle were unharmed. A portion of southbound interstate 95 was flooded by heavy downpours. High water was also reported on Harrell Road, at the intersection of Deacon and Synan roads, and on Route 218 near White Oak. In Spotsylvania County, trees were downed in Chancellorsville. In Fourmile Fork, lightning downed a power pole onto a car lot. One car was set on fire. In addition, a townhouse at the intersection of Fall Hill Avenue and River Road was set ablaze by lightning. In Fredericksburg, an apartment building was struck by lightning. Also, two homes in Normandy Village on Woodford Street caught fire after being hit by lightning. Lightning also damaged asphalt on William Street at Sunken Road. Cowan Boulevard was closed by flooding. In King George County, two tornado tracks were found. The first tornado, and F1, touched down near Route 600 where it crosses the Stafford County line. It stayed on the ground until it hit Fairview Beach, 4 miles to the east. Trees were downed during the rural portion of its track. However, moderate damage was done in Fairview Beach when the twister downed large trees onto 7 trailer homes and 2 houses. Six structures were condemned. The hardest hit areas included Botts Lane in the Fairview Beach Trailer Park and First Street. A second tornado touched down briefly near Hampstead. The weak F0 twister stayed on the ground only 1/10 of a mile. It downed a few trees along its short 50 yard wide path. In addition, high winds from the thunderstorm downed trees and power lines between Arnolds Corner and King George. The dispatch center in King George was also hit by lightning.

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Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5368481. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.