Dozens of homes damaged as 140mph winds tear through the coastal city, prompting widespread cleanup efforts.

Virginia Beach has declared a state of emergency following a destructive EF-3 tornado that hit the coastal city on Sunday evening. The tornado, which struck around 6pm local time, caused significant damage to dozens of homes. Despite the severity of the storm, no injuries were immediately reported.

The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed the tornado’s intensity on Monday morning, with wind speeds estimated between 140mph (225km/h) and 150mph (240km/h). The twister was strong enough to displace well-constructed homes from their foundations, collapse external walls, and completely tear off roofs. A warning had been issued earlier in the day, also predicting pea-sized hailstones.

As of Monday, local authorities are concerned about the potential for localized flooding due to continued heavy rainfall throughout the night. Several schools, including Cox High School, Great Neck Middle School, and John B. Dey Elementary School, were closed due to damage and road closures. Emergency crews have been working to clear uprooted trees and restore power to affected areas.

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin urged residents to remain cautious following the storm’s passage. “311 is available 24/7 for non-emergency inquiries and reporting,” he stated in a tweet. David Topczynski, Director of Emergency Management for Virginia Beach, noted that the city’s preparedness was aided by the fact that a music festival was already taking place, meaning an emergency operations centre was in place when the storm hit. By Sunday evening, 115 damaged structures had been identified, with more expected to be reported on Monday.

The storm system that affected Virginia Beach was part of a larger low-pressure area over the Great Lakes, which was also responsible for other significant weather events, including a tornado in Florida and high waters on the Mississippi River.

The climate crisis’s role in the increasing frequency and intensity of tornadoes remains a subject of study. While the exact impact is unclear, scientists have noted that the patterns of severe thunderstorms are shifting. Recent studies suggest that tornado clusters are becoming more frequent and that Tornado Alley may be migrating eastward, bringing more tornado activity to states like Kentucky, Illinois, and Arkansas.