Video: Colonial Heights tornado damage

WSLS News Staff, Richmond Times-Dispatch
Published: April 28, 2008

Watch the video from our NBC affiliate in Richmond WWBT of the damage caused by a tornado to the Southpark Mall area of Colonial Heights

Other video:

Click for video of an aerial tour of the damage in Suffolk

BY LUZ LAZO
Times-Dispatch Staff Writer
There is widespread damage and several people injured in Colonial Heights, and damage in Brunswick County and other parts of southeastern Virginia caused by what appear to be multiple tornadoes. 

Lisa Shepherd, with the Colonial Heights fire administration said everyone available is at the scene in the area around Southpark Mall. “It’s very chaotic,“ she said.

Witnesses say the the tornado came over a strip mall near Southpark, across a K-Mart, a Target store and other businesses.

Three adults were taken to Southside Regional Hospital with minor injuries, Colonial Heights Fire Chief A.G. Moore said. One suffered serious, but non-life-threatening injuries, he said. Emergency crews also treated and released 10 other people at the scene, Moore said.

Bob Spieldenner from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, said that in all at least 18 people were injured in Colonial Heights.

Also, emergency crews are dealing with gas leaks at Medallion Pools. Columbia gas has shut down service to the area, authorities said.

The back of the Target store sustained serious damage, other businesses had broken windows.

Anne Tate, a spokeswoman for Southpark Mall, said the mall itself has not been affected, but merchants and shoppers expressed concerned because of the nearby damage .

National Weather Service meteorologist Bryan Jackson said the center is receiving several calls of damage in the area, particularly in Colonial Heights.

The National Weather Service reported heavy winds and tornados doing damage in several places in sourheastern Virginia.

Dominion Power reported about 1,000 customers were without service.

Tornado warnings were posted for several areas in southeastern Virginia.

The Virginia Department of Transportation issued a statement saying traffic on Interstate 95 near Southpark is backed up.

Brunswick County Administrator Charlette Woolridge said a tornado hit about 3 p.m. and destroyed one house in the Freeman area. She said no injuries have been reported there.

Contact Luz Lazo at

Pictures below sent to WSLS by Colonial Heights resident Jeffery A. Blankenship II