Gov. McAuliffe: "Blessing" More Didn't Die in Thursday Morning Tornado

Gov. Terry McAuliffe spoke Friday a few dozen yards away from where two people were killed and 36 were injured in a tornado on the Chesapeake Bay Thursday.

McAuliffe toured the Cherrystone Family Camping and RV Resort on the Chesapeke Bay Friday, one day after a storm created a tornado that ripped through the area Thursday morning. The governor said it’s a blessing more people didn’t die in the storm that flattened trees, flipped RVs, scattered tents and ripped apart trailers in the 300-acre site, The Associated Press reports. More than 1,300 people were checked into the campground.

"This was a very freak accident that occurred here," McAuliffe said of the storm. "It's an incredible sight to see."

The National Weather Service issued a preliminary report that the tornado hit between 8:25 a.m. and 8: 40 a.m., with winds reaching up to 100 miles per hour. Campers were reportedly alerted to the tornado warning minutes before it touched down. The tornado traveled approximately 8 miles, flattening hundreds of acres of corn, soybean and cotton crops.

"At 8:30 in the morning, luckily I think most people were up. But had they been asleep and more people in their tents and their campers, I think what occurred here yesterday would've been much worse. It is a tragedy, but as I say, the good Lord was watching out," McAuliffe said.

The tornado killed two and injured 36, according to state police. McAuliffe said a married couple from Jersey City, New Jersey were killed when a tree fell on their tent. The couple’s three children were also injured and their 13-year-old son is in critical condition following surgery. 

Gov. McAuliffe issued a statement Thursday in response to the tragic storm.
“We are all saddened by the reports of injuries and lives lost in this storm and will continue to offer our thoughts and prayers to the Virginia families who were affected, along with whatever support is necessary to help these communities move forward.”