Tornado Tears Through Leesburg, Leaving Behind Major Cleanup

LEESBURG, VA — Widespread tree damage was reported in Leesburg after a tornado struck the area Friday morning. The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed Friday night that a tornado struck parts of Leesburg between 7:20 a.m. and 7:23 a.m. on Friday.

The storm caused trees to fall across the town, but there have been no reports of injuries so far. After passing over Leesburg's historic downtown area, the tornado — an EF-0 on the intensity level with maximum winds of 85 mph — became much stronger, according to the NWS.

Widespread tree damage was found in the the vicinity of Lounsberry Road NE and the Exeter subdivision, which are north of Edwards Ferry Road and south of Battlefield Parkway NE. A townhome on Ginger Square NE had its siding and underlayment completely peeled off, exposing its roof trusses, the NWS said.

Concentrated wind damage also was found on Battlefield Parkway NE around the Fieldstone Apartment complex. A line of five large pine trees in the easternmost portion of the apartment complex were uprooted and fell onto two unoccupied vehicles. Several of the trees fell in a "convergent pattern," the NWS said. Additional large pine trees were uprooted along the Route 15 Leesburg bypass near its intersection with Battlefield Parkway NE.

"While the damage from this morning's storm exists throughout the Town, a great deal of the damage is concentrated in the Exeter neighborhood, which is near the intersection of Battlefield Pkwy NE and Plaza St NE," Officer Michael Drogin, a spokesman for the Leesburg Police Department, said Friday in a statement.

Due to downed trees and power lines, the Town of Leesburg said Friday that Olde Izaak Walton Park, including its dog park, is closed until further notice. Dominion Energy crews are on the scene at the park to address downed power lines before trees and other storm debris can be removed safely, the town said.

The town also said it is waiving volume limits and size restrictions on brush collection for one week to assist residents with storm debris cleanup. Through Feb. 14, Leesburg residents can place any amount of brush at the curb for collection. Trash or other debris, like roof shingles or siding, will not be collected with brush.

Town crews will begin collecting storm-related brush on Saturday. Branches and limbs that are between four and eight feet in length and less than eight inches in diameter will be collected using chipping equipment. Larger items, including root balls, will be collected separately.

All brush items must be placed at the curb. Town crews cannot enter private property to collect storm debris.

Leesburg police said they have received reports of contractors going door-to-door offering storm repairs. "We remind residents that door-to-door solicitors must display a solicitor's permit issued by the Town," the police said.

Here are resources for Leesburg residents in response to the storm:

• Dominion Energy: 1-866-DOM-HELP to report outages and downed wires. You can also report and check outages at www.dom.com.
• Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative: 888-335-0500, or 703-335-0500. Report outages at www.novec.com.
• Washington Gas: 844-WASHGAS (927-4427); Select option 1.
• Leesburg Police non-emergency line: 703-771-4500.