Tornado and Wildfire in Virginia, May 13 to 14, 2000

Temperatures in the mid 80s to lower 90s in combination with humid conditions resulted in several rounds of thunderstorms across Northern and Central Virginia from midday through late evening on the 13th. Several storms produced winds in excess of 55 MPH, large hail, frequent lightning, and very heavy downpours. One storm produced a 4 mile long F1 tornado on the north side of Charlottesville. At 7:45 PM a tornado touched down about 2 miles west of Charlottesville on the north side of Farmington Country Club and downed several trees. It moved northeast across Barracks Road to Albemarle High School where it took insulation from underneath modular classrooms and splattered it along nearby walls. The storm then crossed Hydraulic Road and Route 29 near Albemarle Square Shopping Center where it blew out a plate-glass window, injuring one customer. The tornado moved into the Woodbrook neighborhood where it damaged a few homes and trees then dissipated around 7:55 PM EDT. Hundreds of trees in the path of this 300 yard wide tornado were downed or snapped. The hardest hit areas were along Route 250 and Owensville Road, including the neighborhoods of Farmington, West Leigh, and Glenaire. Just south of the tornado's path, straight line winds estimated between 80 and 100 MPH downed several trees, power lines, and telephone poles. A storage place and its contents were also destroyed and homes nearby reported minor damage. One parked car and several guard rails were flattened by downed trees. Nearly 16,000 area customers lost power after the storm struck. In Loudoun County, quarter sized hail fell near the Route 15 Potomac River bridge northeast of Taylorstown. Pea sized hail fell in South Riding. Winds estimated between 70 and 90 MPH downed several trees near Snake Hill Road north of Middleburg. Three people were injured by flying debris at an outdoor wedding and several parked cars were damaged by fallen trees. In Alexandria, downed trees blocked a portion of the George Washington Parkway north of Key Bridge and King Street. Ten townhouses reported shingle and siding damage. In Fairfax County, numerous trees were downed onto power lines, roads, and homes in the southern part of the county. Hardest hit communities included Springfield, Mt. Vernon, Mason Neck State Park, and Ft. Belvoir. A wind gust of 53 MPH was recorded in Centreville and a gust of 90 MPH was recorded at Ft. Belvoir. A home in Centreville caught on fire after being hit by lightning, resulting in $80,000 in damage. Pea sized hail fell in Annandale. In Prince William County, several trees and power lines were downed in Woodbridge. A number of homes were damaged by fallen trees across the county. Penny to golfball sized hail fell in Gainsville and quarter sized hail fell northwest of Nokesville. Dime to quarter sized hail fell in Manassas and penny sized hail fell in Manassas Park. Winds gusted to 52 knots at the Manassas Airport at 6:46 PM EDT. Nearly 60,000 residents of Northern Virginia lost power as a direct result of the storm. In Orange County, trees and power lines were downed around 8:00 PM EDT. In Fauquier County, golfball to tennis ball sized hail fell in Warrenton, damaging hundreds of cars, windows, and roofs. Hail damage was estimated at 1 million dollars. A wind gust of 64 MPH was measured in Warrenton. Walnut sized hail was reported in the northwest portion of the county where winds gusted to 65 MPH. A tree fell onto a power line near Warrenton. In Page County, several trees and power lines were downed near Luray and Rileyville. One car on Cave Hill Road was hit by a falling tree. A homeowner on Yager Spring Road reported part of a roof peeled back and a downed chimney. Nearly 3100 county customers lost power and two homes where hit by lightning. Pea to quarter sized hail fell in Luray. A computer in a home in Leaksville was melted by a bolt to lightning. Another home near the Shenandoah River Bridge was destroyed by fire after lightning struck. In Rockingham County, trees were downed in Broadway. In addition, a lightning strike started a forest fire about 5 miles northwest of Briery Branch. The blaze charred nearly 100 acres of the George Washington National Forest southwest of Hone Quarry before being brought under control on the 14th. In Warren County, trees were damaged in Bentonville. In Shenandoah County, quarter to golfball sized hail fell in New Market. In Rappahannock County, dime sized hail fell in the Washington area and golfball sized hail fell in Castleton. In Highland County, quarter sized hail fell in New Hampden.