Damaging Winds in Virginia, June 29, 2012

Name: Damaging Winds in Virginia, June 29, 2012
Start: 2012-06-29T17:35
End: 2012-06-29T22:15
Location: Virginia

June 29, 2012 · NWS RNK · 33 events in 33 counties and zones

A derecho of historic proportion rolled through the region and caused widespread, significant damage. Numerous power outages occurred.

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

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 2
Injuries: 14
Property damage: $18 million
Crop damage: $342,000
Events: 33

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS RNK wrote it up.

A derecho of historic proportion rolled through the region and caused widespread, significant damage. Numerous power outages occurred. Some customers were without power for 12 days which coincided with a prolonged period of excessive heat. The derecho had its origin around Chicago, Illinois around 1:00 pm EST. By 7:00 pm EST the derecho had reached southeast West Virginia. Only two hours later, it was pushing through Southside Virginia. By midnight EST it had reached the Atlantic coast.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Blacksburg, VA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jun 29, 4:52 PM EST, 43 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jun 29, 4:52 PM EST, 43 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
552 PM EDT FRI JUN 29 2012

.SYNOPSIS...
A LARGE RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE ALOFT WILL BUILD EAST TOWARD THE
MID APPALACHIAN AND MID ATLANTIC REGION INTO THE WEEKEND
..BRINGING RECORD HEAT TO THE REGION.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH SATURDAY/...
AS OF 555 PM EDT FRIDAY...

SENT A QUICK UPDATE TO INCLUDE MORE POPS ACROSS THE NW AHEAD OF
THE APPROACHING FAST MOVING MCS THAT IS ALREADY NEARING THE OHIO
RIVER ATTM. SOME POTENTIAL FOR THIS SYSTEM TO AT LEAST MAKE IT
ACROSS THE MOUNTAINS AS IT DIVES MORE TO THE SOUTH/SE OVER THE
NEXT COUPLE OF HOURS SO POPS MAY NEED TO GO HIGHER SHORTLY. ALSO
INCLUDED STRONG WIND MENTION WHERE STORMS MAY IMPACT ESPCLY ACROSS
THE NW.

PREVIOUS DISCUSSION AS OF 400 PM EDT FRIDAY...

HEAT ADVISORIES CONTINUE UNTIL 8 PM THIS EVENING.
HEAT ADVISORIES AND EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNINGS POSTED FOR
2 PM TO 8 PM EDT SATURDAY.

CHECK LATEST PNS AND RER REGARDING POSSIBLE RECORDS AND CLIMATE
INFO ON HEAT.

UPPER RIDGE WILL MOVE EAST TONIGHT INTO SATURDAY RESULTING IN
RECORD WARMTH ACROSS OUR AREA. AN IMPRESSIVE MCS LOCATED ACROSS
INDIANA AND OHIO WILL MOVE SOUTHEAST TONIGHT. INCREASED POPS
FOR TONIGHT MAINLY ACROSS THE NORTHWEST. STRONG TO SEVERE
THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE IF THUNDERSTORMS COMPLEX MAINTAINS
IT STRENGHT. THE MAIN THREAT IS STRONG WINDS AND HAIL. LEANED
TOWARDS WARMER NAM MOS AND LOCALLY DERVIED MOS FOR LOWS TONIGHT.
LOWS WILL RANGE FROM THE MID 60S IN THE COLDER MOUNTAIN VALLEYS
TO THE MID 70S IN THE SOUTHEAST. HOT AND HUMID WEATHER WITH
ISOLATED TO SCATTERED COOLING THUNDERSTORMS. ONCE AGAIN THERE IS
THE POTENTIAL FOR SOME OF THE THUNDERSTORMS TO BE STRONG TO
SEVERE SATURDAY. HIGHS SATURDAY WILL RANGE FROM THE MID 90S IN THE
MOUNTAINS TO AROUND 105 IN THE SOUTHEAST.

&&

.SHORT TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/...
AS OF 400 PM EDT FRIDAY...

LONG STORY SHORT..NOT MUCH CHANGE EXPECTED. WHAT CAN FAIRLY BE
DESCRIBED AS INCREDIBLE HEAT DOME CONTINUES TO HOLD IN PLACE ACROSS
THE CENTRAL AND EASTERN CONUS THROUGH THE SHORT RANGE PERIOD. NEARLY
UNPRECEDENTED H85 TEMPS RANGE FROM 22C TO 26C THROUGH THE PERIOD
OFFERING NEXT TO NOTHING IN THE WAY OF COOLING. HEAT ADVISORY
CRITERIA (105F+) LOOKS FAIRLY CERTAIN ACROSS THE PIEDMONT ON
SUNDAY BUT ELECTED NOT TO PUT AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH OUT SINCE
ADVISORIES/WARNINGS ALREADY IN EFFECT FOR PARTS OF THE AREA TOMORROW.
MODELS ALL OVER THE PLACE WITH POSSIBLE MCS ACTIVITY IN THE
PREVAILING NORTHWEST FLOW. 12Z NAM12 BRINGS CLUSTER OF STORMS
SOUTHEAST ACRS THE CWA ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON WHILE 12Z GFS SHOWS ONE
12 HOURS EARLIER BUT THESE TYPE SYSTEMS ARE NOTORIOUSLY DIFFICULT
FOR MODELS TO HANDLE AND JUST LEFT SLIGHT CHANCE POPS IN THE GRIDS
FOR NOW. OBVIOUSLY CLOUDS FROM ANY ACTIVITY THAT DEVELOPS COULD PLAY
HAVOC WITH HIGH TEMP FORECASTS. GENERALLY HAVE 100F+ TEMPS IN THE
PIEDMONT AND ROANOKE VALLEYS FOR HIGHS AND MID-90S ACROSS THE
MOUNTAINS. NUMEROUS HIGH TEMPERATURE RECORDS COULD AGAIN BE
THREATENED. REFER TO PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT (WBCPNSRNK)
ISSUED EARLIER TODAY FOR DETAILS. WENT A LITTLE LOWER FOR HIGHS
ON MONDAY AS HEIGHT/THICKNESSES DROP SLIGHTLY BUT IT WILL REMAIN
VERY HOT AND THAT WOULD BE DAY 4 OF THIS HEAT WAVE. PROLONGED HEAT
EVEN AT MARGINALLY LOWER VALUES CAN PRESENT A PUBLIC HEALTH THREAT.

&&

.LONG TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/...
AS OF 400 PM EDT FRIDAY...

EXTENDED PERIOD IS MORE (NOT OR LESS) A BROKEN RECORD AS THE HEAT IS
EXPECTED TO CONTINUE. PRIMARY FORECAST QUESTIONS REVOLVE AROUND THE
POSITION AND AMPLITUDE OF THE UPPER RIDGE AND THE CHANCES FOR
RETROGRESSION TOWARD THE HIGH PLAINS OPENING THE POSSIBILITY FOR
FALLING HEIGHTS OVER THE NORTHEASTERN QUADRANT OF THE U.S TO BACK
DOWN INTO THE FORECAST AREA. H5 HEIGHTS REMAIN VERY HIGH GENERALLY
588-592 DM BUT MY MID- TO LATE WEEK COULD SEE SOME COOLING DUE TO
LOWERING HEIGHTS. BESIDES THE ONGOING HEAT THE OTHER FORECAST
ELEMENT OF CONCERN IS WITH THE PERISTENT CHANCE FOR NORTHWEST FLOW
MESOSCALE SYSTEMS. A QUASI-STATIONARY BOUNDARY LIKELY TO SET UP
SOMEWHERE IN THE MID-ATLANTIC REGION DURING THE MID-WEEK PERIOD
DIVDING THE EXTREME HEAT OVER THE SOUTHWEST FROM THE SOMEWHAT COOLER
AIR OVER THE NORTHEAST. UPPER AIR DISTURBANCES ARE LIKELY TO TRACK
CLOSE TO THIS BOUNDARY ALTHOUGH THE EXACT TIMING ON SUCH SYSTEMS AT
THIS TIME RANGE WILL BE NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE. MAINTAINED EITHER SLIGHT
OR CHANCE POPS THROUGH MUCH OF THE WEEK TO ACCOUNT FOR THIS
POSSIBILITY.

&&

.AVIATION /22Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
AS OF 140 PM EDT FRIDAY...

VFR CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO PREVAIL THROUGH THE TAF PERIOD
WITH PERIODS OF HIGH LEVEL CLOUDS ANTICIPATED INTO TONIGHT. MCS
OVER NORTHERN ILLINOIS MAY POSE A THREAT FOR NORTHERN TAF SITES
LATE THIS AFTERNOON INTO TONIGHT. THE BEST CHANCE FOR A
THUNDERSTORM WILL BE AT LWB. WILL LEAVE OUT MENTION IN TAF UNTIL
WORK OUT TIMING AND TRACK OF STORMS.

THE UPPER RIDGE WILL REMAIN OVER THE AREA FOR MUCH OF THE
WEEKEND...BUT SLOWLY WEAKEN BY EARLY NEXT WEEK ALLOWING FOR
MOISTURE TO INCREASE ALONG WITH THE THREAT OF BRIEF SUB-VFR IN
SCATTERED CONVECTION SATURDAY INTO WEDNESDAY.

&&

.CLIMATE...
RECORD HIGHS:

               FRIDAY   SATURDAY
BLACKSBURG     92/1966   92/1966
BLUEFIELD      86/1991   88/1969
DANVILLE      100/1986  103/1959
LYNCHBURG     104/1934  103/1936
ROANOKE       101/1934  104/1936

&&

.RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
VA...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING FROM 2 PM TO 8 PM EDT SATURDAY FOR
     VAZ047-058-059.
     HEAT ADVISORY UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR VAZ022>024-
     033>035-043>047-058-059.
     HEAT ADVISORY FROM 2 PM TO 8 PM EDT SATURDAY FOR VAZ022>024-
     032>035-043>046.
NC...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING FROM 2 PM TO 8 PM EDT SATURDAY FOR
     NCZ006.
     HEAT ADVISORY UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR NCZ004>006-020.
     HEAT ADVISORY FROM 2 PM TO 8 PM EDT SATURDAY FOR NCZ003>005-
     019-020.
WV...NONE.

&&

SYNOPSIS...PH
NEAR TERM...JH/KK/PH
SHORT TERM...PC
LONG TERM...PC/WERT
AVIATION...KK/PH
CLIMATE...

Hazardous weather outlook, Jun 29, 4:55 PM EST, 40 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
555 PM EDT FRI JUN 29 2012

NCZ003-019-VAZ032-302030-
SURRY-WILKES-PATRICK-
555 PM EDT FRI JUN 29 2012

...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM TO 8 PM EDT SATURDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTH CENTRAL NORTH
CAROLINA...NORTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA AND SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT.

TEMPERATURES AROUND 100 DEGREES AND MODERATE HUMIDITY LEVELS WILL
CREATE HEAT INDEX VALUES FROM 100 TO 105 THIS EVENING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   HEAT ADVISORY.

A PROLONGED PERIOD OF HOT TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED FROM THE
END OF THE WEEK INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK. TEMPERATURES IN THE 90S TO
AROUND 100 WILL BE POSSIBLE EACH AFTERNOON FROM SATURDAY THROUGH
WEDNESDAY...WITH HEAT INDEX VALUES BETWEEN 100 AND 105.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

NCZ001-002-018-VAZ007-009>018-WVZ042-044-302030-
ASHE-ALLEGHANY NC-WATAUGA-TAZEWELL-SMYTH-BLAND-GILES-WYTHE-PULASKI-
MONTGOMERY-GRAYSON-CARROLL-FLOYD-CRAIG-MERCER-MONROE-
555 PM EDT FRI JUN 29 2012

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHWEST NORTH
CAROLINA...SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA AND SOUTHEAST WEST VIRGINIA.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT.

A FAST MOVING LINE OF STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CONTAINING
STRONG OR DAMAGING WINDS MAY IMPACT THE AREA BETWEEN SUNSET AND
MIDNIGHT.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY.

THE PROBABILITY FOR WIDESPREAD HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS LOW.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED LATER THIS EVENING.

VAZ019-020-WVZ043-045-302030-
ALLEGHANY VA-BATH-SUMMERS-GREENBRIER-
555 PM EDT FRI JUN 29 2012

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR WEST CENTRAL VIRGINIA AND
SOUTHEAST WEST VIRGINIA.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT.

A FAST MOVING LINE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CONTAINING DAMAGING
WINDS MAY IMPACT THE AREA THIS EVENING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY.

A FEW THUNDERSTORMS ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND SATURDAY EVENING
COULD BE SEVERE...WITH THE MAIN THREAT DAMAGING WINDS.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED THIS EVENING.

NCZ006-VAZ047-058-059-302030-
CASWELL-BUCKINGHAM-HALIFAX-CHARLOTTE-
555 PM EDT FRI JUN 29 2012

...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING...
...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM TO 8 PM EDT SATURDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTH CENTRAL NORTH
CAROLINA...CENTRAL VIRGINIA AND SOUTH CENTRAL VIRGINIA.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   HEAT ADVISORY.

TEMPERATURES AROUND 100 DEGREES AND MODERATE HUMIDITY LEVELS WILL
CREATE HEAT INDEX VALUES FROM 100 TO 105 THIS AFTERNOON.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING SATURDAY.

A PROLONGED PERIOD OF HOT TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE
INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK. TEMPERATURES COULD APPROACH TRIPLE DIGITS
IN THE PIEDMONT EACH AFTERNOON FROM SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY
...WITH HEAT INDEX VALUES APPROACHING 111 DEGREES AT TIMES DURING
THIS PERIOD.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

NCZ004-005-020-VAZ035-043>046-302030-
STOKES-ROCKINGHAM-YADKIN-AMHERST-HENRY-PITTSYLVANIA-CAMPBELL-
APPOMATTOX-
555 PM EDT FRI JUN 29 2012

...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING...
...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM TO 8 PM EDT SATURDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTH CENTRAL NORTH
CAROLINA...NORTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA...CENTRAL VIRGINIA AND SOUTH
CENTRAL VIRGINIA.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   HEAT ADVISORY.

TEMPERATURES AROUND 100 DEGREES AND MODERATE HUMIDITY LEVELS WILL
CREATE HEAT INDEX VALUES FROM 100 TO 105 THIS AFTERNOON.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   HEAT ADVISORY.

A PROLONGED PERIOD OF HOT TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE
INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK. TEMPERATURES COULD APPROACH TRIPLE DIGITS
IN THE PIEDMONT EACH AFTERNOON FROM SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY
...WITH HEAT INDEX VALUES APPROACHING 105 DEGREES AT TIMES DURING
THIS PERIOD.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

VAZ022>024-033-034-302030-
ROANOKE-BOTETOURT-ROCKBRIDGE-FRANKLIN-BEDFORD-
555 PM EDT FRI JUN 29 2012

...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING...
...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM TO 8 PM EDT SATURDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTH CENTRAL VIRGINIA AND
WEST CENTRAL VIRGINIA.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT.

A FAST MOVING LINE OF STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS
CONTAINING STRONG OR DAMAGING WINDS MAY IMPACT THE AREA BETWEEN
SUNSET AND MIDNIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   HEAT ADVISORY.

TEMPERATURES AROUND 100 DEGREES AND MODERATE HUMIDITY LEVELS WILL
CREATE HEAT INDEX VALUES FROM 100 TO 105 THIS AFTERNOON.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE
INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

   HEAT ADVISORY.

A PROLONGED PERIOD OF HOT TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED FROM THE
END OF THE WEEK INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK. TEMPERATURES IN THE 90S TO
AROUND 100 WILL BE POSSIBLE EACH AFTERNOON FROM SATURDAY THROUGH
WEDNESDAY...WITH HEAT INDEX VALUES BETWEEN 100 AND 105.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED LATER THIS EVENING.

The radar

The Roanoke radar (KFCX), 91 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:35 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

33 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Covington (C)

When: June 29, 5:35 PM EST to 5:39 PM EST
Where: Covington (C) County, 2.14 mi NNW of Covington to 2.07 mi S of Covington
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.810, -79.990

Thunderstorm winds blew down numerous trees and some power lines. A church roof was severely damaged, and a portion of the roof at the high school and at a hotel were peeled off by the winds. Several vehicles were damaged when trees blew onto them, and some homes were damaged by falling trees. Damage values are estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bath

When: June 29, 7:26 PM EST to 7:52 PM EST
Where: Bath County, 2.58 mi WNW of Mountain Grove to 0.88 mi SE of Millboro
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $320,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 38.120, -79.920

Thunderstorm winds downed thousands of trees and many power lines down across the county. Damage occurred to a home when one tree fell upon it. Cars also sustained damage when trees fell on them. Damage values are estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Alleghany

When: June 29, 7:26 PM EST to 7:52 PM EST
Where: Alleghany County, 5.83 mi WNW of Falling Spg to 5.64 mi ENE of Cliffdale
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.910, -80.080

Thunderstorm wind downed hundreds, and possibly thousands, of trees across the county. Some vehicles were damaged by the falling trees. Structural damage occurred when the wind blew off a barn roof. Damage values are estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tazewell

When: June 29, 7:34 PM EST to 7:44 PM EST
Where: Tazewell County, Pocahontas to Mc Call Place
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $400,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.300, -81.350

Thunderstorm winds blew hundreds of trees down across the county. A combination of the winds and the falling trees brought down many power lines. Damage values are estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Craig

When: June 29, 7:37 PM EST to 7:53 PM EST
Where: Craig County, 1.78 mi ENE of Paint Bank to 2.3 mi ESE of Webbs Mill
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $436,000
Crop damage: $342,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 37.580, -80.250

Thunderstorm winds downed thousands of trees and many power lines. A few barns were damaged, and a porch was destroyed along Route 42. Several vehicles were damaged when trees fell on them. Damage values are estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Giles

When: June 29, 7:40 PM EST to 7:52 PM EST
Where: Giles County, 1.77 mi NW of Bluff City to 2.14 mi SSW of Trigg
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $400,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.350, -80.790

Thunderstorm winds brought trees down across different parts of the county. The winds also severely damaged a roof of a home on Muaney Road near Mountain Lake. Damage values are estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Botetourt

When: June 29, 7:42 PM EST to 8:05 PM EST
Where: Botetourt County, 2.64 mi SE of Glen Wilton to 1.78 mi ENE of Trinity
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Injuries: 8 direct, 5 indirect
Property damage: $600,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.720, -79.790

Thunderstorm winds blew thousands trees down countywide. Power lines also came down as a result of the strong winds and trees falling upon them. Less than twenty structures sustained damage where their roofs blew off. In the community of Blue Ridge, trees fell upon and damaged several mobile homes. Flying debris injured five people at the Buchanan Carnival. A two-vehicle accident, with two injuries, occurred when the driver of one vehicle swerved to avoid an already downed tree. Falling trees and limbs injured three others at the Middle Creek Campground. Unknown causes resulted in three additional people taken to medical facilities.

Thunderstorm Wind, Montgomery

When: June 29, 7:50 PM EST to 8:10 PM EST
Where: Montgomery County, 0.55 mi W of Mountain View to 1.49 mi SSW of Pilot
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Deaths: 0 direct, 1 indirect
Property damage: $1.0 million
Reported by: County Official
Coordinates: 37.270, -80.460

Thunderstorm winds blew thousands of trees and branches down across the county. There were numerous reports of power lines being taken down by the wind or by falling trees or branches. Structural damage occurred to numerous homes that had trees fall on them. Parked vehicles also suffered damage when trees fell on them. One indirect fatality occurred when the driver of a motorcycle crashed into a tree being removed from a road hours after the event. Damage values are estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Pulaski

When: June 29, 7:55 PM EST to 8:15 PM EST
Where: Pulaski County, 4.78 mi NW of Mt Olivet to 2.35 mi SSE of Simpkinstown
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $450,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.100, -80.890

Thunderstorm winds blew hundreds of trees down across the county. Many power lines came down as a result of the winds or the falling trees. The winds also destroyed two mobile homes in Dublin.

Thunderstorm Wind, Roanoke

When: June 29, 7:56 PM EST to 8:26 PM EST
Where: Roanoke County, 1.79 mi WSW of Catawba to 4.31 mi SE of Starkey
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $600,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.370, -80.150

Thunderstorm winds blew hundreds, if not thousands, of trees down across the county. Power lines were also downed by a combination of the wind and falling trees and limbs on the lines. Damage values are estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Rockbridge

When: June 29, 7:57 PM EST to 8:15 PM EST
Where: Rockbridge County, 2.18 mi W of Goshen to 3.88 mi ESE of Balcony Falls
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $750,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.980, -79.540

Thousands of trees were blown down across much of the county. Some trees fell on homes, vehicles and brought down power lines. Damage values are estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lexington (C)

When: June 29, 7:58 PM EST to 8:02 PM EST
Where: Lexington (C) County, 0.88 mi NW of Lexington to 0.69 mi S of Lexington
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $250,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.790, -79.450

Thunderstorm winds blew hundreds of trees down in the City of Lexington. Some of these trees blocked roads, fell on structures and brought down power lines. Damage values are estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Salem (C)

When: June 29, 8:00 PM EST to 8:08 PM EST
Where: Salem (C) County, 0.88 mi NW of Salem (C) to 2.82 mi SSE of Salem (C)
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.310, -80.060

Thunderstorm winds blew trees down across the City of Salem. Damage values are estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Smyth

When: June 29, 8:00 PM EST to 8:26 PM EST
Where: Smyth County, 3.03 mi NE of Chatham Hill to 1.77 mi NE of Thomas Bridge
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.980, -81.480

Many trees and branches were downed by thunderstorm winds across northern and central portions of the county. Power lines were also taken down by the falling trees and limbs. A fallen tree also damaged a structure near Marion. Damage values are estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wythe

When: June 29, 8:00 PM EST to 8:20 PM EST
Where: Wythe County, 3.83 mi NNW of Kent to 2.07 mi N of Speedwell
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.000, -81.050

Thunderstorm winds blew many trees down. A combination of wind and falling trees also brought down power lines. Damage values are estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Roanoke (C)

When: June 29, 8:05 PM EST to 8:20 PM EST
Where: Roanoke (C) County, (Roa)woodrum Fld Roa to 3.63 mi SSE of Roanoke
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $750,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.330, -79.980

Thunderstorm winds downed numerous trees across the City of Roanoke. The winds also blew a roof off a house, and power lines were downed. Roanoke Regional Airport measured at wind gust of 81 MPH. Damage values were estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bedford

When: June 29, 8:05 PM EST to 8:35 PM EST
Where: Bedford County, 4.97 mi NNE of Montvale to 4.98 mi SSE of Gillespie
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.440, -79.680

Thunderstorm winds blew hundreds of trees down across the county. Some of these trees brought down power lines and also fell onto houses. A wind gust of 66 MPH was measured in Goode. Damage values are estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Amherst

When: June 29, 8:09 PM EST to 8:32 PM EST
Where: Amherst County, 0.55 mi W of Oronoco to Galts Mill
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $200,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.730, -79.280

Thunderstorm winds blew numerous trees down across the county. Many roads were blocked due to the downed trees. Damage values are estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Floyd

When: June 29, 8:10 PM EST to 8:30 PM EST
Where: Floyd County, 2.31 mi ENE of Sowers to 4.63 mi ESE of Shelors Mill
Measured: 66 kt (76 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $200,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.010, -80.360

Thunderstorm winds blew numerous trees down across the county. Damage values are estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Franklin

When: June 29, 8:13 PM EST to 8:45 PM EST
Where: Franklin County, 1.77 mi SW of Naff to 1.38 mi S of Penhook
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $750,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 37.130, -80.040

Thunderstorm winds blew numerous trees down across the county. A mobile home suffered major damage as a fallen tree split the structure in half. Several other homes across the northern part of the county suffered minor to moderate damage from fallen trees in the Boones Mill to Burnt Chimney and Smith Mountain Lake areas. A firefighter was initially injured by a falling tree while responding to a call in his vehicle. The individual later died as a result of the injuries. Damage values are estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bedford (C)

When: June 29, 8:15 PM EST to 8:20 PM EST
Where: Bedford (C) County, 1.3 mi WNW of Bedford to 1.65 mi E of Bedford
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.340, -79.550

Thunderstorm winds blew trees down. Some of these falling trees brought down power lines. Damage values are estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Carroll

When: June 29, 8:20 PM EST to 8:35 PM EST
Where: Carroll County, 1.3 mi ENE of Shorts Creek to 3.63 mi NNE of Cana
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $250,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.840, -80.810

Thunderstorm winds blew down numerous trees across the county. Some of the trees brought down power lines as they fell. Damage values are estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Campbell

When: June 29, 8:25 PM EST to 8:33 PM EST
Where: Campbell County, 0.55 mi E of Lynchburg Arpt to Rustburg
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $250,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.330, -79.190

Thunderstorm winds blew down hundreds of trees. The greatest concentration was over the northern half of the county. Damage values are estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lynchburg (C)

When: June 29, 8:26 PM EST to 8:34 PM EST
Where: Lynchburg (C) County, 2.65 mi NW of Blue Ridge Farms to 2.35 mi SSW of Lynchburg Falwell Ar
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $7.1 million
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.450, -79.230

Thunderstorm winds blew down over 1,000 trees across the City of Lynchburg. Many power lines also came down as a direct result of the wind or trees and limbs falling on them. The winds damaged eight homes to the point of being deemed uninhabitable or destroyed. Damage values are estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Patrick

When: June 29, 8:32 PM EST to 8:50 PM EST
Where: Patrick County, 2.16 mi SE of Buffalo Ridge to 4.43 mi SW of Penns Store
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $400,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 36.730, -80.240

Thunderstorm winds blew hundreds of trees down across the county. Many of these trees brought down power lines as they fell. One tree fell on a house in Patrick Springs. Another tree fell on a cabin. Damage values are estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Henry

When: June 29, 8:36 PM EST to 9:00 PM EST
Where: Henry County, Philpott to 1.77 mi SW of Sandy Level
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $350,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.780, -80.000

Thunderstorm winds blew several hundred trees down across the county. Many of these trees brought down power lines as they fell. Downed power lines prompted fires in the Bassett area. Damage values are estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Martinsville (C)

When: June 29, 8:40 PM EST to 8:50 PM EST
Where: Martinsville (C) County, 1.49 mi NNW of Martinsville to 2.66 mi SE of Martinsville
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $75,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.700, -79.880

Thunderstorm winds blew around 100 trees down around the City of Martinsville. Many power lines were brought down by the falling trees. Damage values are estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Pittsylvania

When: June 29, 8:40 PM EST to 9:15 PM EST
Where: Pittsylvania County, 1.8 mi WNW of Callands to 2.61 mi ESE of Danville City
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $125,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.830, -79.610

Thunderstorm winds blew down numerous trees across the county. Several of these trees brought down power lines. One of the greatest concentrations of damage was in the Blairs area. Damage values are estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Buckingham

When: June 29, 8:43 PM EST to 9:25 PM EST
Where: Buckingham County, 4.72 mi SW of Wingina to 5.65 mi ESE of Alpha
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $300,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.590, -78.790

Thunderstorm wind blew numerous trees down across the county. One home was damaged by a falling tree. Damage values are estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Danville (C)

When: June 29, 8:56 PM EST to 9:10 PM EST
Where: Danville (C) County, 3.6 mi WNW of Danville to 4.4 mi ESE of Danville
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.600, -79.480

Thunderstorm winds downed multiple trees in the City of Danville. The bulk of these down trees fell along West Main Street and the Windsor Heights subdivision. A falling trees limb injured a person's arm in Windsor Heights. Damage values are estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Charlotte

When: June 29, 9:00 PM EST to 9:50 PM EST
Where: Charlotte County, 3.54 mi NW of Aspen to 1.52 mi SE of Keysville
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.070, -78.870

Thunderstorm winds blew down 50 to 75 trees across the county. The hardest hit region was around Aspen. One of the trees fell onto a vehicle in Aspen. Another tree fell on a vehicle in the Keysville. Damage values are estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Halifax

When: June 29, 9:00 PM EST to 9:30 PM EST
Where: Halifax County, 2.16 mi NE of Stovall to 3.75 mi SE of Dryburg
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $125,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 37.020, -79.000

Thunderstorm winds brought down hundreds of trees and some power lines across the county. Damage values are estimated.

Thunderstorm Wind, Appomattox

When: June 29, 9:37 PM EST to 10:15 PM EST
Where: Appomattox County, 3.07 mi WNW of Spout Spg to 0.88 mi NE of Pamplin City
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $150,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 37.370, -78.970

Thunderstorm winds blew down around 100 trees across the county. Many of those trees brought down power lines. Damage values are estimated.

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

Event	Date	Age	Sex	Where	Kind
Thunderstorm Wind, Montgomery	2012-06-29			Vehicle/Towed Trailer	Indirect
Thunderstorm Wind, Franklin	2012-07-02	54	Male	Vehicle/Towed Trailer	Direct

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 2012 Every state in 2012 This day in weather history Warnings in Virginia, June 2012

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: 393251, 392361, 393247, 394153, 392374, 393343, 392367, 393344, 394127, 394094, 395140, 395141, 394113, 394132, 394166, 394115, 395132, 395119, 395144, 395146, 395138, 395147, 395136, 395128, 395166, 395162, 395163, 395168, 395149, 395182, 395153, 395159, 395148.