Thank you to the 2015 Virginia Emergency Management Symposium Sponsors

Cherrystone Tornado – The Meteorology Assessing the Science Behind the Storm Bill Sammler Warning Coordination Meteorologist National Weather Service – Wakefield, VA

Multi-Faceted Event – Hail, Tornado, Straight- Line Wind Damage Early Morning Event – 730am to 930am – Severe Weather Not Initially Anticipated – Warning issued 8:20 am – 8 minutes lead time Occurred BEHIND a weak Cold Front Atmosphere Relatively Stable (except over Chesapeake Bay) Wind Fields not Conducive to Tornado Development Meteorological Background

5 am and 8 am Surface Maps

Surface Weather Maps 5 am 7/24/148 am 7/24/14

Radar and Lightning Animation 745 am to 900am

Lightning Animation

Total Lightning

Radar in the Vertical 802 am 812 am 821 am 831 am

Wind Field Compared to Suffolk Tornado Cherrystone Tornado Suffolk Tornado

Tornado Path Wind Damage Swath Area Affected by Large Hail More Wind Damage

Damage Pictures - Tornado

Damage Pictures - Downburst

Damage Pictures - Hail

People Received the Warning – But How?

NWS Activation of WEA Saves Lives Cape Charles, VA (July 1, 2014) Cape Charles, VA (July 1, 2014) – Tornado hit Cherrystone campground. 1,300 people present. “Gov. Terry McAuliffe said it's a blessing more people didn't die in the storm given the short notice that campers had to seek shelter.” - AP, VA Gov. McAuliffe says it's a blessing more didn't die in Eastern Shore tornado (July 25, 2014) “said Joe Colony…‘We got an emergency message on a cellphone and within 30 seconds, the thing hit and it blew down 40, 50 trees in the park’” – AP, VA Gov. McAuliffe to Tour Tornado Damage (July 25, 2014)

Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) Began in 2012 Alert You “Where You Are” Based on Cell Tower Coverage Available on most 2012 and later cell/smart phones More Info: ctia.org/wea

The End!!