we now have confirmation the storm that moved through appomattox county yesterday was a tornado. an ef-3 according to the national weather service. a tornado also touched down in patrick county, there it was an ef1. in appomattox county, the tim saunders has been surveying the damage, affected areas, and joins us live from appomattox with an update, tim? jean, this is only the third time since 1950 appomattox has been hit by a tornado. everyone who lives here has been accounted for. one person did die. earlier that day we learned that man's name was edward keith harris. he was 78 and a county spokesperson said that he was found last night around 10:00 in a field near his home in evergreen. that community saw the most widespread and severe damage following yesterday's storm. destroyed.

residents who showed up this morning to collect his belongings and salvage what was left of his house. >> some of the rescue squad workers had children at child care. it looked kind of bad. finally they told us our house wasn't here anymore. we came and here it is here. >> a county spokesperson says damage assessments are still under way and she couldn't provide a dollar amount for what was destroyed. county officials say that this area is still very dangerous with a lot of downed power lines and loose debris. all roads are open, but leaders are asking people to stay home and don't travel through the most affected areas right now. county schools will remain closed tomorrow and some parts of town actually do have electricity right now. some businesses, including two pharmacies. cvs and hometown pharmacy are now back open and serving customers. live in appomattox, tim saunders, wdbj 7. >> thank you, tim.

appomattox county for anyone needing assistance. here is the number: one- (434)352-2637. governor terry mcauliff has been in the air and on the ground today in the airs affected by the storm. he made stops in appomattox county, waverly, and essex count toy look at the damage. wdbj 7's shayne dwyer is live in appomattox tonight. shayne, what did the governor say about the damage there? >> jean, the theme of his comments today was that virginia will not back down in the face of this destruction in the storm and that the commonwealth will be there to provide any support you can to the residence who are so badly hurting in this area and in other areas across virginia. the big winner arrived here just before noon by helicopter. he met with first responders and victims at the evergreen baptist church, which is the command post for this year. evergreen is the epicenter of damage in appomattox county. people here have lost everything

is only one death from our area. the governor says that's thanks to advanced planning, a quick response, and a stroke of luck. >> devastation here when we came in by helicopter, you can see it's about 12 to 15 miles long, this tornado. very wide. by the grace of god, this is not happening in the middle of the night. i'm thinking if that had been the case, there would have been many more fatalities. >> after speaking at the church, the governor toured some of the damage on the ground. he seemed somewhat speechless that this kind of devastation could happen here. after seeing the progress the crews made, he extended thanks and late last night the governor said the state will assess all the damage commonwealth wise and will be applying for federal aid shayne dwyer, wdbj 7. >> it is so food that did not hit in the middle of the night, as the governor mentioned today.

set okay many levels. brent watts is in ever green with some specifics on yesterday's very rare ef-3 tornado. jeff? >> hi, jean. this is just to put perspective on it today. we're trying to get these power poles back up. also extremely muddy still from the recent rain in the snow, and some of the crews are having a hard time getting from place to place. this is definitely a memorable storm in many ways and historic. not only is it the first appomattox tornado of an f3, but it's also the strongest ef-3 3 ever recorded in the state of virginia during the month of february. so it is very record-setting on many levels. now, let me show you video of the national weather service. they were out today to get some specifics on the path and just how powerful the storm was. the national weather service storm survey team looked at some of the patterns around evergreen. they were hoping to get a drone in the air today.

to fly in and out. you're seeing the u.s. army one now. let me show you some specifics about this. they found the tornado was on the ground for 13 miles and had a damage path of more than four football fields wide. appomattox county, on february 1st, 1951, and the most recent. there's been a lot of -- has no our area, let's head inside to meteorologist robin reed for a look at some of those. >> all right. brent, we did watch as the afternoon progressed, all the reports coming in from the coming in from the national weather service goes over in the wakefield area taking look at the waverly tornado which did have totality is in also one of patrick county which fortunately did not but to be honest with you that thing that's really got people talking and walking in the

tonight is the wind it just won't let up it's been gusting to twenty and thirty miles an hour and until that symbol status can be very uncomfortable out there and it won't at least until friday morning and maybe later than that broad area of wind advisories up from galax to lexington points north and west windsor continued augustine that thirty thirty five forty mile an hour range with those wins comes some snow showers and would have blowing snow showers primarily in the mountains it hasn't had much luck making it into the the metro areas but this continue to be something that you can use it well is that piling up anywhere that might very well be in the mountains which weather advisories are up for that now couple school systems are modified tomorrow appomattox county schools will be closed because they still have power issues they are the center virginia community college appomattox center will be closed and there's been some other down of the taz will area lots of win them over the white snow asas -- tazwell county tools. opening two hours late. >> officials from the national weather service, as we have been

there was also a tornado that hit patrick county. no one was hurt there, but the twister tore apart five temperatures and left trees down for about half a mile. danielle staub takes us there. >> in patrick count a long ararat highway, the storm tearing down trees, homes. leaving a path of destruction. today it's all about cleanup. >> it's devastation like i've never seen in my life. >> randy wood wasn't home when the storm hit and he's very thankful for that as he looks around at the mess. >> and i cooperate even drive up here to the house. the roads were still blocked and i had to drive up, park up the road a little ways and i walked up there. it was almost like a war zone. it was just debris everywhere and all the trees down. it was horrendous. >> wood says their first steps are to secure the house in front of a temporary fence for the livestock. >> we can start rebuilding.

roof of a house. >> looks like a war zone or where the bomb went off. >> from law enforcement for neighbors coming to help, davis community effort to get the debris cleared. >> you want to help one another. you see the tarps on the roofs. people did that. >> the national guard arrived early thursday afternoon. ararat is down to one lane as vdot views considered to clean up fallen trees. >> i'm just thankful to god that nobody got hurt or injured or killed yesterday. you see the devastation and it's just unreal. >> officials say all of those displaced now have a place to stay. the patrick county sheriff's office will have a continuous presence in the area for the rest of the week. in patrick county, danielle staub, wdbj 7. pictures tell it all. thank you, danielle. members of the lip. burg fire department are collecting supplies to help victims. they are accepting donation of non-perishable food, clothing, and parties.

any lynchburg fire station. firefighters said they should all feel compelled. >> i look at it, it could be me. it could be me instead of them. i would want to be to help me if i was in that position. so that's why i feel strongly that everybody, including me, needs to go help these people in their time of need. >> now, if you would rather donate money, they are asking that those donations be made through charity such as the red cross. >> the former roanoke firefighter accused of a felony sexual assault against a minor remains in jail tonight. david bocock was denied bond in botetourt county. his attorney is appealing that ruling, but a date has not been set. he resigned from roanoke fire ems yesterday afternoon. he had 25 years of service with the department. he's charged with forcible sodomy of a minor. both slave homes at the former greenfield plantation with now in their new location crews began moving the second home early this morning. there it is.

the new location is about a file away from the original. county leaders say the next step is stabilizing the homes by laying a foundation under them. that process must be done in 40-degree weather. they'll hire crew to his work in the spring. >> in home town health, what a new study is showing about marijuana and visits to the emergency room. you're watching your hometown

>> donald >> the remaining republican presidential candidates will square off at a debate in houston tonight ahead of the crucial super tuesday primaries. front runner donald trump coming off a big winning streak and hopes to maintain his lead with twelve states up for grabs next week. the battle between ten an

group yo expected to heat up as they head for second place. both home states are at stake. cruz is neck in neck with trump in texas and trump leads rubio by a large margin in florida. you can catch the debate at 8:30 on cnn. >> trump is gearing up for a visit to radford. he made plans to come to southwest virginia yesterday. wdbj 7 nadia singh spoke to some of the people going to monday's rally. >> it's no secret that donald trump has diehard supporters and opponents. the rally is not a university sanctioned event, but students are definitely part. crowd. >> i don't feel like he should be a politician. i don't feel like he should be running for president honestly. as a woman and a person of color, i just don't feel like he represents me and i don't feel like i want to be represented by this individual. >> no doubt trump has seen blow back from his views on everything from immigration to defense. but not everyone is ready to say

america great again. >> i'm not for him, but i'm not against him. i am really minimumn it. >> while radford university students are happy to get their school into a spotlight, they're going in cautiously. >> i definitely wanting to. i'm going to hear what he says, but i want to take it with a grain of salt. >> some say they're not injure trump represents their america. the younger people are, leak, the more progressive they are, i guess. and he's just not a progressive person. >> but there's still people here in radford who want to hear trump for themselves. >> i am interested in going just to hear what he has to say and just get my own opinion instead of, like, hearing what other people are saying about him. >> what are his intentions other than criticizing your opponents? what is your agenda? are you going to do us any good? >> and about the issues that matter to them. >> the economy, the defense of the country, and being sure people has got descend, sustainable jobs for years on

>> all hot button topics. doors open at 10:00 a.m. at last check, tickets are still available on trump's website. we plan to live steam on wdbj7.com. nadia sing, wdbj7.com. >> republican presidential hopeful marco rubio is also making a stop in our area. he will be at roanoke college sunday. doors will open at 7:30:00 p.m. the free event will begin at 8:30. rsvps are required for anyone twelve and older. you can find more information on our website, wdbj7.com. >> in tonight's hometown health, many tourists are frequenting emergency rooms in colorado because of issues with marijuana. research published in the new england journal of medicine shows er visits by people from out of state have spiked 109% since retail marijuana became legal in colorado in 2012. for people who live in colorado, er trips rose 44%. experts say the results show more education is needed for

>> a big storm day. the wind can often be a factor. that's the case right now. robin, earlier we heard authorities warning people that debris could be picked up by the wind. >> absolutely. a lot of loose stuff lying around. 20, 30, 40 miles an hour winds. up it goes again. that could be a problem. so stay away from those areas if you can and stay tuned for

scene from todayearlier the newscast he heard the governor talking about his helicopter ride over the tornado damage in appomattox well this is drone video from central virginia aerial solutions and as we can fly along and look straight down. you can see just total damage total destruction such a heartbreaking scene and so unusual to have a tornado in february in central virginia that happen this time it only happens about once every ten years and it's never been a strong is the one in appomattox thirty four writenow and snow blow up like that out because we are we're

almost if the miles an hour today other a weather website shows big numbers two and a guy with an almost to invade island almost 50 same thing in bedford early this afternoon was a pretty gusty time in roanoke we get forty five miles an hour downtown in washington the lead person is morning with forty mile an hour wind gusts at those wind gust of these temperatures and it's pretty wintry once again twenties and thirties in the mountains forties as we going to central virginia and most of mature areas that's what's keeping any snow forest cause any 20s and 30s in the mountains 40s as we going to center virginia and most of mature areas that would keep any snow forest cause any problems tonight but it's been pretty constant area of snow showers and snow flurries over southwest and western virginia it's just not making it very far past the number wants woodland pennsylvania new york altogether different story lake effect is completely in play from eureka buffalo it is a real mess up their winter we get the gusty winds and flurries for the rest of tonight rethinking temperatures would be in the twenties in most locations emphasizing that you bundle up first thing friday morning as the wind will still be blowing

warm up that much we don't have a big arctic outbreak. this time we just have a steady thirty forty degree temperatures swing and going along without some snow showers some snow flurries of lives computer guidance tells us is just not enough moisture to work with yourself for the most part we would think mainly sunny skies during the afternoon maybe a few for some time to time especially the mountains highs will reach anywhere from forty two o'rourke forty four degrees in lynchburg but it would be around forty seven in 47 india danville area only 36 once were invariants were looking at the seven-day planner can we get out of the squinty pattern well not probably until saturday written to be rather breezy until then after highs will be in the mid forties then something magical happens on sunday were in the sunshine and we are into some really nice temperatures sixty like that sixty two on monday and fifty nine on tuesday not to be left out wednesday's temperatures in the fifties as well but here's the think there's a thunderstorm possible on once the physical front is in doubt and they'll

you before days to just some or little to enjoy somebit enjoy some time did the cleanup. sure you get that that's texas kansas type numbers not central the women's quarter finals on the way. we head out there for the early games and check in with

as they try to advance i'm hillary clinton and i approve this message. her life's work has been about breaking barriers. and so would her presidency. which is why, for every american who's not being paid what they're worth... who's held back by student debt or a system tilted against them- and there are far too many of you- she understands that our country can't reach it's potential... unless we all do. together.

>> the athletic conference and the women's basketball tournament with a four day run at the civic center day. the ladies quarter finals and top seated lynn. burg colleges up first.

conference play. leading the third quarter, thanks to all odak first team hit. she finishes in franklin county. harrison knocks down the three to put the hornets up 54-40. she gets the back and the south for a game high twenty points. ahead to the forth we go. sara coons scores off the class as he led by more than 20. lynn. burg throughout the game, splits the defense. lynchburg wins 73-51. outbounding 54-35. >> we wanted second chance plans to kind of limit their transition points. they're a very, very fast team. the poster game is in the first half and we really encouraged and pushed our guards to started packing a little more to get in there and they did a great job of adjusting. that's the great thing about this team. they really want to get better. every time we adjust, it pushes them to another level. we talked about it, you know, increases and the one we had, kind of a target on our backs

we're ready to take everybody's first in, not first period. we knew it was going to come. keep our composure and really work to do the little details. we're a very detail oriented team. we'll work with our defense in defending. >> game two, mennonite matched up with washington to get lynn. burg in the semi saturday. the generals, jackie flipper stocks up and hits the three. she had a game high 15 points. redding muscling her way. watch you watch start a game on 8:01. the royals able to put an end to that. coming back the other way, though. it's going to be shelby hendricks. the generals win a close one 53-48 the final. all about the ladies. four games tomorrow. the guys take over for four more. >> a lot of activity out there. okay. thanks, travis. wall street ends today with gains at 21.

flush hundred dollars of workers that the community stepped up to help

tonight at 6:00, in a special report, wdbj 7's justin moore shows us what organizations in pulasky county are doing to get people back to work. federal and state programs with offices in dublin are helping to find a long-term career, while a nonprofit in pulasky is providing emergency funds. >> that's the beauty of it, especially with all of us being here in pulasky county. it's affecting us. everybody just wants to do what they can. >> news organizations will prepare to a major layoff. you will find out why in 30 minutes. that's coming up tonight at 6:00. >> yep. we want to hear more about that. >> we also have a cool story. i hey a cool story you feel someone was using the wdbj 7 weather app and they were alerted to that tornado and that's why -- it's an amazing story. you have you to stick around. >> she did all the right things. it will be a real interesting story.

cover when you hear that you're supposed to do that. >> once something like this happens, and a lot of people did some good things, which is great. now i want you to bundle up, because tomorrow is going to be cold. do the right thing. stay warm. we've got showers, he and e i in the mountains to the west. wintery weather advisories in effect. what does that mean? probably 2 to 3 inches of snow in the far western mountains. a number of metro areas will see that. and a windchill problem. pretty cold out there as well. >> okay. a lot going on. you hear go to the basement? you'll hear and see why coming