SUFFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Suffolk authorities say a tornado may have been responsible for damage caused during Thursday night’s severe weather.

Emergency communications received multiple calls related to damages from the suspected tornado activity in the Holland area late Christmas Eve.

The first call crews received came in around 11:45 p.m.

Suffolk Fire & Rescue said the area most affected was between the Dutch Road, Gates Road, and Corinth Chapel Road corridor.

Authorities said five residences sustained minor to moderate damage within the area.

Suffolk Fire & Rescue said an adult female sustained minor injuries and received a medical assessment, however, no transport was needed.

A total of six people have been displaced due to damage to their homes, including two adults and two children from a residence in the 1200 block of Dutch Road.

Two adults were also displaced from a residence in the 7800 block of Corinth Chapel Road and will be assisted by relatives.

A pickup truck and two enclosed trailers were overturned and damaged in front of a residence on Corinth Chapel Road.

Resident experiences

“I was in the bed asleep and I got up and the wind was going hard,” said Suffolk resident Jacob Chappell. “It sounded like a daggone freight train.”

Chappel ran outside to assess the damage Christmas morning.

“When it all calmed down, I walked outside and I was like ain’t nothing out here anymore,” he said.

Suffolk resident Morris Glover also recalled the late-night chaos.

“We started hearing a lot of terrible noise and the wind had picked up and my wife took off upstairs,” Glover said. “She made it to the stairs and some windows had blown in upstairs and the wind was coming so strong, she couldn’t even climb the stairs. She had to crawl.”

Glover said his home and some of his belongings have significant damage.

“I had a couple of shelves there all destroyed. They’re totally blown away, and the contents of them, and three of our four vehicles sustained damage,” he said.

Even after seeing the damage, Glover is counting his blessings.

“We’re safe, so that’s the main thing. These things can be replaced,” he said.

Glover said some homes in his neighborhood were left untouched by the wind. Chappell said he’s never seen anything like this. Both men are thankful they’re okay this Christmas.

Downed trees and power issues

The 1200 block of Dutch Road was partially impassable due to downed trees and damaged power poles.

Suffolk Public Works were on the scene for tree removal from the roadways.

Crews also responded to restore power Friday.

As of 5:30 p.m. about 186 homes were without power in Hampton Roads.

• Chesapeake 0
• Hampton 1
• Isle Of Wight 0
• James City 71
• Newport News 11
• Norfolk 17
• Poquoson City 0
• Portsmouth 1
• Suffolk 0
• Surry 2
• Virginia Beach 14
• Williamsburg 0
• York 69

Authorities planned to continue to canvass the rural area and check on the residences.

An update has been provided as additional damage assessments continue:

• 7100 block Gates Road: Minor roof damage and a tree fell on the residence causing siding/shingle damage.
• 1500 block Dutch Road: Barn completely destroyed.
• The following roads are affected due to high water following heavy rains:
• 400 block Lummis Road: passable at this time and water is receding.
• 700 block Dutch Road: passable at this time and water is receding; signs are in place.
• Holland Corner Road/Quaker Drive: standing water but passable.
• 4400 block Holy Neck Road: closed due to high water; signs are in place

Stay with WAVY.com for updates.

Latest Posts