Homes and businesses damaged. Photo: Robert Martin, Free Lance-Star

Bill Dubensky, Frank Hammon
WFLS News

Date published: 5/9/2008

Storms caused major damage across the region especially in Stafford County.

The first wave went through starting around 10 p.m. after a tornado warning was issued. The England Run North area was hit hard. Lt. Mark Stone with Stafford County Fire and Rescue says that as many as 100 homes are damaged with as many as a dozen or more are destroyed.

Only one person was injured as a result of the storm. Stone says their injuries were "minor".

Gayle Middle School has been opened as a shelter. Stone says about 100 people have spent the night there.

Luis Garcia, executive director of the Rappahannock Chapter of the American Red Cross, says working from a plan they coordinated with county authorities in manning that shelter. He says there was plenty of food and people willing to just listen to those forced from their homes with nothing more than the shirt on their backs.

Sarah Kestner lives in the England Run North subdivision just off Limestone Way. She says the wall from one of her neighbor's homes is in her front yard. Another neighbor's pick up truck that was parked in front of their home was found in the back yard after the storm passed through. Kestner also found debris embedded into the walls of her home.

Stafford County spokeswoman Cathy Riddle says building inspectors have been going from house-to-house assessing damage. She says 120 homes have major damage. She says that number could go higher. Three homes are uninhabitable. She describes those home were once two stories and now are one.

Riddle says public works personnel are working to clear the streets of debris strewn about by the winds of last night's storm. She describes it as Staffod County's hardest hit area.

Lansdowne Road in Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County line was also hit. The former Bassett Bedding Building, which now houses several small business was severly damaged. Lt. Greg Letner of the Fredericksburg Police Department says the wall and rooff were ripped away on one side of the structure. A gas leak was also reported there early this morning, but it has since been shut off.

Further up the road there's roof damage to Huttig Sash and Door. At Kaeser Comporessors work has been canceled for today due to damage to the facility. A company spokesman declined to says how extensive damage was only to say, "enough to close down for the day."

Personnel from the National Weather Service are to tour the area to determine if the damage was caused by a tornado.

Stay tuned to 93.3 WFLS-FM for updates throughout the day.

Watch raw video from www.fredericksburg.com

Listen Fredericksburg resident and Fox 5's Allison Oakley's report on damage in Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania's Lansdowne Road area.

Listen to interview with Sarah Kestner, resident of England Run North subdivision where storm caused extensive damage.

Luis Garcia, Executive Director of the Rappahannock Area Chapter of the American Red Cross talks with WFLS' Frank Hammon about what personnel and volunteers have been doing since last night, what's next and how YOU can help.

Cathy Riddle, Stafford County Public Information Officer and Carolina Camargo of the Red Cross explain what county building inspectors have found in the heavily damaged areas of the county and what services are availabale to those staying at the shelter.

Date published: 5/9/2008