EF2 Tornado — Chesapeake (c), Virginia

2017-03-31 · near Oak Grove, Chesapeake (c), Virginia

Event narrative

NWS storm survey determined that an EF0 tornado first touched down on Green Tree Road in Chesapeake causing damage to three warehouses. The tornado then quickly lifted off the ground and continued east. The tornado touched down again just east of Kempsville Road along Kemp Bridge Lane as an EF0 rapidly intensifying to EF1. On the east side of Kemp Bridge Lane, several homes lost sections of their roofs and outer walls were removed. Winds were approximately 97 mph. The tornado intensified as it moved east destroying a single wide mobile home (which was empty at the time, used as a work building) and severely damaged a metal storage building. The tornado at this point was approaching EF2 intensity. The tornado strengthened to an EF2 (120 mph) before striking the Real Life Christian Church on Centerville Turnpike. The church, a large metal constructed building, was destroyed by the tornado as the sanctuary was completely demolished. The tornado weakened some as it continued to travel east and then northeast across Stumpy Lake. The tornado then tracked northeast into Virginia Beach.

Wider weather episode

Scattered severe thunderstorms in advance of low pressure and a cold front produced damaging winds, large hail, and two tornadoes across portions of southeast Virginia.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (36.7400, -76.2300)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 686663. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.