The storm is to blame for two deaths in Albemarle County. Fallen trees trapped and killed a woman near Keene and a man in Ivy.
There is a tremendous amount of damage - especially in Crozet. Power lines crunched in half, trees ripped through roofs, and roads have shut down across the state.
"It was like a hurricane," said one Crozet homeowner.
By Saturday morning, the clean-up was underway from Friday night's storm, and friends and families are mourning the deaths of two who died in the storm.
"It's a real. Real tragedy," said Stirling MacMillan, a neighbor of 64-year old, John Porter, who was struck by a tree on his home's deck on Decca Lane in Ivy.
Crews were dispatched to the scene just after 9:30, but were unable to reach the victim until just after 11:00 due to trees blocking Owensville Road. Porter died at the scene.
And near Keene, 52-year-old Catherine Ford, of Scottsville was killed after being pinned beneath a tree on Scottsville Road.
"She stepped out of her car to get better cell service and a tree fell on her car," explained Sergeant Darrell Byers with the Albemarle County Police Department.
Police say witnesses at the scene attempted to help her. Emergency crews responded to the 5900 block of Scottsville Road around 11:00, where they pronounced Ford dead on the scene.
And others escaped tragedy with some pretty close calls.
"I had no idea how close we came to a real disaster," said Peggy Ehrenberg, whose house in Crozet was nicked by a pine tree whose roots alone stand about six feet taller than her.
She said, "I thought tree branches were falling on my house and of course you have no idea and of course you don't want to go out in the storm and investigate."
Just down the street at Claudius Crozet Park, the outdoor pavilion plummeted to the ground.
With widespread damage and power outages across Charlottesville and Albemarle, police are working overtime, working 12 hour shifts.
And hoping neighbors safely lend a helping hand.
"Stay inside, stay where it's cool, keep hydrated, check on your neighbors who are elderly or otherwise vulnerable," advised Longo.
Police are warning that as you drive around be patient and treat intersections where traffic lights are out as four-way stops. Also be cautious of power lines and trees still falling.
The NBC29 newsroom received the following release from the Albemarle County Police Department:
The Albemarle County Police are reporting two storm related deaths. At approximately 9:30 P.M. emergency personnel responded to the 1800 block of Decca Lane for a reported downed tree. John Porter, 64 years of age, was pronounced dead at the scene. At approximately 10:55 P.M. emergency personnel responded to the 5900 block of Scottsville Road. Catherine Ford exited her vehicle in an attempt to get phone service, when a tree fell pinning her beneath it. Ford was pronounced dead the scene.
Officials have opened three cooling stations. Scottsville Rescue Squad located at 805 Irish Road will be opened from 12:00-7:00 P.M. The Herman Key Recreation Center located at 800 East Market Street will be open from 10:00-6:00 P.M. Burnley Moran Elementary School located at 1300 Long Street will be open with undetermined hours.
Officials also caution residents on the use of generators to make sure that they are properly ventilated to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Residents should use extreme caution when operating motor vehicles due to the number of downed trees and power lines.
Anyone that needs additional information concerning the cooling centers can call the information line at the Communication Center 434-979-4636. The info line will close tonight 9:30 and open again at 9:00 A.M. If you need emergency assistance please call 911.
Sergeant Darrell R. Byers
Public Information Officer
Photo courtesy Kirby Baughn
Photo from scene on Decca Ln.
Photo Courtesy Alexis Ray, Lake Monticello
