page_title: Tornado outbreak of February 23–24, 2016
section_title: Chap–Evergreen, Virginia
hierarchical_section_title: Tornado outbreak of February 23–24, 2016 / Confirmed tornadoes / Chap–Evergreen, Virginia
caption_attribution_description: English: EF3 tornado in Evergreen, Virginia.
context_page_description: The tornado outbreak of February 23–24, 2016 was an unusually prolific late-winter tornado outbreak that resulted in significant damage across the southern and eastern half of the United States in late February 2016. Lasting nearly a day and a half, the outbreak produced a total of 61 tornadoes across eleven states, which ranked it as one of the largest February tornado outbreaks in the United States on record, with only the 2008 Super Tuesday tornado outbreak having recorded more. In addition, it was also one of the largest winter tornado outbreaks overall as well. The most significant and intense tornadoes of the event were four EF3s that struck southeastern Louisiana, Pensacola, Florida, Evergreen, Virginia, and Tappahannock, Virginia. Tornadoes were also reported in other places like Texas, Florida, and Pennsylvania. Severe thunderstorms, hail and gusty winds were also felt in the Northeastern United States and Mid-Atlantic states on February 24 as well.
context_section_description: This strong EF3 stovepipe tornado first touched down at 3:27 p.m. EDT (20:27 UTC) near the northern end of Campbell County, initially producing EF0 damage as it downed several trees. It then crossed into Appomattox County shortly thereafter, before reaching EF2 strength near Chap, where a church sustained collapse of its brick facade and had most of its roof torn off, a frail home lost its roof and exterior walls, and a manufactured home sustained minor damage. Further to the northeast, EF1 damage occurred as many trees were snapped or uprooted and a small home was heavily damaged. Another home further along the path sustained EF1 roof damage before the tornado began to re-intensify. EF2 damage occurred near the intersection of Cedar Bend Road and Club Creek Road, where a poorly constructed home was destroyed. Other homes in the area were damaged to a lesser extent. The tornado then strengthened further as it struck Evergreen, where one home was leveled at EF3 strength and other surrounding homes were heavily damaged. Some outbuildings and manufactured homes were obliterated as well, with large amounts of debris strewn through fields in the area. Evergreen Methodist Church sustained significant roof damage, and one fatality occurred in town as a man was killed in the destruction of his manufactured home. Massive tree damage was observed in the Evergreen area, with large swaths of trees in heavily forested areas snapped, uprooted, and denuded. Past Evergreen, the tornado weakened to EF1 strength, downing additional trees and damaging an outbuilding as it continued to the northeast. Beyond this point, the tornado briefly strengthened back to EF2 intensity and ripped the roof off of a house. The tornado then entered Holliday Lake State Park, snapping and uprooting many additional trees at EF1 strength before lifting and dissipating. Seven people were injured, and the tornado was the first February F3/EF3 tornado in Virginia since 1950.
caption: The tornado as it was entering Evergreen, Virginia at peak strength.
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