Tornado and Damaging Winds in Virginia, April 9, 1999

Between 6:10 PM and 6:25 PM EDT, a line of thunderstorms moved east from Orange County into Spotsylvania County. Strong winds associated with the gust front ahead of the storms produced scattered tree damage in Eastern Orange County and Western Spotsylvania County. Areas affected include Gold Dale, Mine Run, Paytes, Granite Springs, and Porters. Over 100 trees were damaged; some were uprooted, some were snapped, and others lost large branches. The strong winds also bent several home antennas and blew off several roof shingles. A small tornado developed with one of the storms near Mine Run. The tornado first touched down around 6:17 PM EDT on the Orange/Spotsylvania County line in a small community 1 mile north of Paytes. The tornado travelled southeast about 3 1/2 miles and lifted just east of Mastins Corner around 6:23 PM EDT. The average path width was about 100 yards. Much of the damage was rated F0 for 40 to 70 mph winds, but some locations received 70 to 90 mph winds and F1 damage. The F1 damage occurred around 2 miles east of Paytes through a densely wooded area where numerous large trees, both pines and hardwoods, were uprooted or snapped. The hardwoods did not have leaves at the time, so a stronger wind was required to damage them. Eight homes along the path of the tornado sustained minor damage,and seven sheds were damaged or destroyed. Most of the structural damage occurred in a residential community 1 mile northeast of Paytes. The same storm system was also responsible for downing trees and power lines as it passed through the Fredericksburg area. The storm hit Fredericksburg around 7:00 PM EDT and left about 5,000 customers without power.