Strong storms hit the area again

[beamer_ball]

Speaking of gas stations....

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=...earch&plindex=0

That storm in Texas was a "dying surpercell" at which a microburst resulted. The storm in Castlewood likely went through the same thing after it had reached a good height the storm rapidly collapsed, as it began weakening, helping to create the microburst. WJHL discussed it with some area NWS offices and they believe that was the scenario.

[UTVols2]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: beamerball</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: UTVols2</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Is a microburst the same thing as a downburst? </div></div>

A microburst is a smaller scale downburst (macroburst's are larger).

http://www.weatherquestions.com/What_is_a_downburst.htm

</div></div>

Thanks beamer, that answered my question exactly.

[beamer_ball]

Victim was Michael Brandon Hess, 19, of Glade Spring.

http://wcyb.tv/newsread.asp?newsid=8406

[beamer_ball]

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MORRISTOWN TN
130 PM EDT TUE JUL 31 2007

...RUSSELL COUNTY VIRGINIA STORM SURVEY...

OFFICIALS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE IN MORRISTOWN
PERFORMED A STORM SURVEY OF THE DAMAGE AREA IN CASTLEWOOD VIRGINIA
THIS MORNING. FROM THE DAMAGE THAT OCCURRED IT IS ESTIMATED THAT
WINDS WERE IN THE 70 TO 80 MILES AN HOUR RANGE.

THE MAIN DAMAGE OCCURRED NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF MEMORIAL DRIVE AND
HIGHWAY 58. THE SURVEY TEAM FOUND TREES EITHER UP-ROOTED OR SNAPPED
OFF IN AN AREA APPROXIMATELY ONE MILE LONG AND A HALF MILE WIDE
AROUND THE INTERSECTION.

[imported_elp6n]

the story has made the AP. This article was on comcast.net

Driver Killed by Flying Pizza Shop Roof
By Associated Press
6 hours ago

CASTLEWOOD, Va. - A powerful wind gust blew off a section of a pizza shop roof, killing a passing motorist when it slammed into his car, state police said Wednesday.

Michael Brandon Hess, 19, of Glade Springs was traveling on Route 58 Tuesday evening when the roof and possibly remnants of an air conditioning unit landed on his Ford Mustang, Sgt. Michael Conroy said.

Conroy said he suspects the roof was ripped off by a microbust, caused by air descending from a thunderstorm. Scattered damage to some homes was also reported in this southwest Virginia community.

Hess was driving alone and was pronounced dead at the scene. There were no reports of injuries in the pizza shop, Conroy said.

[znrs2]

how horrible!! i had no idea any of this took place until today!