The hum of chain saws dominated the rural landscape of Dry Fork on Saturday morning, a day after a devastating tornado hit the community north of Blairs in Pittsylvania County. Homeowners watched and crews removed trees that fell on houses and vehicles. In all, some 20 homes were touched by damage of some sort. The National Weather Service confirmed the tornado Friday evening based on drone footage, but two meteorologists surveyed the damage Saturday to determine wind speeds, path and width of the twister that was part of the remnants of Hurricane Helene.Â
Crews work Saturday to remove debris after a tornado roared through Dry Fork Road on Friday.
Charles Wilborn, Register & Bee
Crews work to remove debris from a home on W.I. Powell Road in Dry Fork after a Friday tornado roared through.
Charles Wilborn, Register & Bee
Charles Wilborn, Register & Bee
Charles Wilborn, Register & Bee
Charles Wilborn, Register & Bee
Charles Wilborn, Register & Bee
Charles Wilborn, Register & Bee
Charles Wilborn, Register & Bee
Charles Wilborn, Register & Bee
Charles Wilborn, Register & Bee
Charles Wilborn, Register & Bee
Earl Oak, who lives on W.I. Powell Road in Dry Fork, watches as workers clear downed trees from his property.
A tornado that damaged about 20 homes in Dry Fork on Friday afternoon had winds estimated at about 118 mph, the National Weather Service in Blacksburg ruled Saturday.
Federal assistance is available for residents impacted by last month's tornado in Dry Fork, the most powerful twister to hit Pittsylvania County in nearly 50 years.
