Tornado and Hail in Virginia, February 17, 1998

A tornadic thunderstorm raced through Spotsylvania Co during the evening of the 17th, knocking down dozens of trees and causing minor property damage along its path. The tornado touched down one mile south of Blades Corner, then tracked northeast, passing by the town of Snell before curving to the north as it roughly paralleled federal highway 1 before dissipating in the Brentwood area.Numerous trees were uprooted and snapped along the twister's path. Soft ground from copious winter rainfall likely aided in knocking down more trees than would normally have fallen. Some roofs were partially torn off homes, outbuildings, and barns. Some outbuildings and barns were levelled. One unfastened trailer was picked up, driven 150 feet, and smashed against some trees. Peripheral property damage included antennas, fences, signs, as well as roof trim, sidings, and gutters. Thankfully, major property damage did not occur and there were no injuries or fatalities. The storm, a mini-supercell, exhibited characteristics of larger midwestern supercells; residents recalled increasing rain followed by large hail, ranging in diameter from 1 to 2 inches, then culminating with the roar of the wind from the approaching tornado.