BEDFORD COUNTY, Va. – Shortly after 11 a.m. Saturday, officials with the National Weather Service confirmed a tornado hit the Goode/Forest area of Bedford County Friday morning.
Details such as rating, damage and path will be determined later in the day Saturday. This marks the third tornado to hit the 10 News viewing area this year.
The first was in Gladesboro and March 23, and the second was in Fairfield in early May.
After assessing 50 structures, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management says only 15 sustained damage during Friday morning’s severe weather in Bedford County. We’re told three of those were destroyed.
This happened in the Crockett Road area of Goode following a tornado warning, which was issued for the area at around 7:30 a.m. The National Weather Service has not yet confirmed whether this was a tornado. Surveys will take place Saturday.
We’re told first responders have completed secondary searches of all structures. There have been no fatalities reported, but two people were injured, according to authorities. Originally it was reported that three were injured but Bedford County says that was a miscommunication.
VDEM and other agencies are working together to assess the extent of the damage using Crisis Track, a disaster management software. Officials estimate it stretches about 2.5 miles.
First responders are working to contact property owners to assess the need for any resources.
AEP estimates that power will be restored for people in the area in the next 24 to 48 hours.
If you or anyone you know has been displaced from your home as a result of this incident, you can find a temporary shelter at Goode Station located at 9261 Forest Road.
Residents are asked to call 540-586-7665 if they need assistance.
Bedford County officials held a press conference at about 11:30 a.m., which you will find below:
While Bedford County Public Schools were not closed Friday, school leaders say student and staff safety is always their prime concern.
On Friday afternoon, Bedford County Public Schools issued the following statement, saying they will adjust school operations if needed:
Student and staff safety is always the top priority in any decision we make. The BCPS transportation and operations teams monitored the situation closely this morning with information as it became available from the National Weather Service, other agencies, our bus drivers, and affected schools. At the time of the tornado warning issued for our school attendance areas, bus routes had already begun and the storm was moving quickly. We were concerned that a late message would not have been received by families whose children were already out at bus stops and could potentially be left outside for an extended period of time waiting for their bus. Given the rapidly changing weather, we believed that students would be safer on a bus than waiting at a bus stop or being alone at home if parents had already left for work. Drivers were monitoring conditions on their routes, and they knew to drive carefully and shelter in place if needed.
We will continue to monitor weather patterns through the day and make adjustments to school operations if needed.
Bedford County Public Schools