National Weather Service provides details on damage from Friday night microburst

Darden Towe Park closed for two and a half days after bearing the brunt of a powerful thunderstorm on the evening of August 14, knocking down several trees that need to be removed.

“For your safety, please stay out of the park while cleanup operations are underway,” reads a Facebook post the county put out on August 15.

The all-clear was given at 9:53 a.m. on August 17 in an information release.

“Visitors are asked to use caution and remain aware of any areas that may still be undergoing cleanup or assessment,” reads that statement.

According to a public information statement issued by the National Weather Service over the weekend, a cluster of storms over Rockingham County combined and grew strength into a supercell.

“As the storm crossed into northwestern Albermarle County, particularly around Free Union, the storm would go through a period of weakening as it approached Charlottesville,” reads the statement. “Just prior to arrival, the supercell thunderstorm went through another cycle of strengthening, making the storm much more intense than it had been earlier.”

Hail as big as two and a half inches in diameter began to fall at the front of the storm, which moved quickly to the southeast. Powerful wind gusts caused damage to trees and powerlines in the Greenbrier and Locust Grove neighborhoods.

While a tornado warning was called, the NWS statement said the storm showed signs of being a microburst.

“This is consistent with a damaging straight line wind event, which occurred over roughly a three square mile area,” the statement continues. “It is important to note that severe thunderstorms are capable of producing wind gusts equal to EF0 and EF1 tornadoes in extreme Cases.”

The NWS will be sending a team to do a further investigation.

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