On Monday afternoon, 3 tornadoes ripped through southeastern Virginia, injuring at least 200 people and destroying homes, businesses and cars as well as downing power lines and trees.

SUFFOLK, Va. - A pair of crumpled cars, some twisted metal, Lego-like pieces of bricks and other debris are just a few of the newly-positioned landmarks on the corner of Jonathan's and Burnett's Way.

On Monday afternoon, 3 tornadoes ripped through southeastern Virginia, injuring at least 200 people and destroying homes, businesses and cars as well as downing power lines and trees.

"Hurricane Isabel was the worst thing that happened in the last 10 years here. This happened in just 10 minutes," said Tim, a lifelong resident of Suffolk. "We have never seen anything like this – it just doesn't happen here."

Tim, his wife, and their 4 children waited anxiously outside the police-barricaded entrance of one of the hardest-hit neighborhoods for news of their friends' home.

"It sounded like a train coming through my house. I was just shaking," said Shirley,standing next to her husband, cloaked in a Red Cross blanket.

They were surrounded by scores of other onlookers as well as homeowners waiting on emergency personnel to help rescue pets from their homes.

Shirley was number 26 on the list, waiting to be reunited with her 2-year-old miniature schnauzer, Sir Nemo.

"I heard something hitting the house like balls," she said. "It scared me, so I jumped up and headed for the closet. It sounded like a train coming through my house. I was just shaking."

Fortunately no fatalities have been reported, but the damage left behind is significant.

Early yesterday morning, Operation Blessing delivered a truckload of drinks to Open Door Church and, with partner Mercy Chefs, began preparing meals from a mobile kitchen in the church parking lot for distribution to disaster relief responders and emergency personnel.

The Red Cross of Southeastern Virginia teamed up with Operation Blessing to help distribute more than 1,000 meals to key sites such as the local emergency operations center, firehouses and temporary shelters.

As residents return home to assess the damage, Operation Blessing is now turning their attention to debris removal and cleanup. Construction loaders, skid steers and other equipment and teams of volunteers are on standby to begin assisting victims.

Residents can submit work order requests with OBI staff and volunteers at Open Door Church, located at 816 Kings Fork Road in Suffolk, Va.

As residents return home to assess the damage, Operation Blessing is now turning their attention to debris removal and cleanup.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
Be a part of Operation Blessing's disaster relief efforts to those affected by the recent tornadoes in Virginia by making an on-line donation today. With your support, OBI can continue to bring emergency food, water and aid to those recovering from these deadly storms.

 

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