EF-2 tornado damages businesses, vehicles and homes in Courtland

Posted: Aug 4, 2020 / 10:51 AM MDT

Updated: Aug 4, 2020 / 08:01 PM MDT

COURTLAND, Va. (WAVY) — Damage from tropical storm Isaias was reported throughout the Courtland area on Tuesday, with significant damage at the Palm Tree Inn on U.S. 58.

The hotel’s roof was blown off early in the morning, but fortunately only minor injuries were reported, the Southampton County Sheriff’s Office says.

The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado in Courtland Tuesday.

The National Weather Service Wakefield said the tornado left damage “consistent with that of an EF-2” tornado. It touched down southeast of Courtland and lifted just north of Sebrell and was active from 2:49 to 3:19 a.m. Its peak winds were 120-125 mph and its path extended 15.9 miles.

Storm damage in Southampton County, where a tornado formed by the outer bands of tropical storm Isaias reportedly touched down early

Other areas hit by tornadoes included James City County, Courtland, Suffolk and Gloucester County in Virginia, and Bertie County in North Carolina, where at least two people were killed by two tornadoes. No fatalities due to Isaias had been reported in Virginia as of Tuesday afternoon.

Route 58 was closed in both directions near Old Bridge Road due to debris, and Route 211 near Southampton Pkwy. was also blocked with trees and power lines.

Tangled powerlines on Route 211 in #Courtland near #Southampton Pkwy.

We can see crews on scene, clearing the trees.

We were heading to a different scene and ran into this.

@WAVY_News @MadisonG_WAVY pic.twitter.com/xPi3ticusL
— Kiahnna Patterson (@KPattersonWAVY) August 4, 2020

The Department of Corrections Farmers Market and produce warehouse was severely damaged.

Nearby Suffolk was also hard-hit, with several businesses and homes receiving major damage.

Damage reports starting to come in from @CityofSuffolk:
– Knight Financial on Saratoga Street heavily damaged
– Fire Station 1 on Market St. downtown
– Homes damaged, trees down in Riverview@WAVY_News @WAVY_Weather pic.twitter.com/rAswxdfBdC
— Lex Gray (@LexGrayWAVY) August 4, 2020