National Weather Service confirms Hampton Tornado was an EF1

The National Weather Service in Wakefield, Va has confirmed a tornado in Hampton. On June 1st, 2012 at about 8:13 pm an EF1 tornado moved through areas near Downtown Hampton. The tornado began as a waterspout near the Monitor Merrimac Bridge. It then tracked over Chesapeake Avenue, through Downtown Hampton and to the Chesapeake Yacht Club before moving into the Chesapeake Bay.

Map of the tornado’s path

The tornado had an estimated maximum wind speed of 98 mph (EF1). It carved a path 3.5 miles long and 0.3 miles wide. Thankfully there were no fatalities and only minor injuries reported.

Damage reports included blown over tents at the Blackbeard Festival, damaged homes in the Merrimac Shores and Withe neighborhoods, window and roof damage at the Hampton Yacht Club, roof damage at the Amory Sea Food building on Sunset Road, and several damaged boats at the Crown Plaza Hotel Marina on King Street.