Damaging Winds in Virginia, July 4, 1997

Name: Damaging Winds in Virginia, July 4, 1997
Start: 1997-07-04T16:25
End: 1997-07-04T17:00
Location: Virginia

July 4, 1997 · NWS RLX · 2 events in 2 counties and zones

2 thunderstorm wind, as filed by the National Weather Service.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

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The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $30,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 2

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

The radar

The Jackson,KY radar (KJKL), 87 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:22 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dickenson

When: July 4, 4:25 PM EST to 4:55 PM EST
Where: Dickenson County, Isom to Birchleaf
Property damage: $20,000
Coordinates: 37.180, -82.470

Estimated wind gusts of 70 to 90 mph roared across the mountain ridges. A gust to 55 mph was measured in the valley near Birchleaf. Tree damage was most extensive on Backbone Mountain, just southwest of Haysi. Outbuildings, a few roofs, and windows were damaged. When one local resident looked out his window, he saw a picnic table being tossed by the wind.

Thunderstorm Wind, Buchanan

When: July 4, 5:00 PM EST
Where: Buchanan County, Keen Mtn
Property damage: $10,000
Coordinates: 37.200, -82.000

Numerous trees were blown down. Route 460 was blocked at the mouth of Contrary Creek by fallen trees. Two homes received minor damage.

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Virginia in 1997 Every state in 1997 This day in weather history Warnings in Virginia, July 1997

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5606564, 5606565.