Storm in Halifax Affects Shady Grove UMC

A Storm brought a tornado to touch down in Halifax on October 27, 2010.

Fierce winds, rain and hail raged through the southern part of Halifax County as a storm struck in the wee hours of Wednesday morning, downing trees, snapping power lines and damaging buildings and other structures in its path.

Officials at the National Weather Service in Blacksburg confirmed Thursday afternoon the storm that struck Halifax County was an EF2 tornado. An EF2 tornado, according to the Enhanced Fujita Scale, packs winds ranging from 111 to 135 mph.

Trees and other debris blocked a number of roads in the Virgilina area of the county, and the area around Shady Grove Church Road, Lowery Road, North Fork Church Road, Highway 96 and areas along Huell Matthews Highway were especially hard hit by the tornado-like winds that accompanied the early morning storm.

Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) was forced to close several roads due to the impassable conditions. VDOT crews worked throughout the day Wednesday cutting limbs from fallen trees and clearing debris from a number of county roads. North Fork Church Road was closed until approximately 4:30 Wednesday afternoon. 

Large, stately century-old and older trees fell all around Shady Grove United Methodist Church, but the church building was largely spared, with only limbs of a fallen tree landing on the fire escape.

“This will permanently alter the landscape at Shady Grove Methodist,” said church pastor, the Rev. George Gorman. “But I am thankful the storm caused no significant damage to the church itself.” Read more in the local Gazette.

Read the story by Rev. George Gorman    Word Doc (.doc)       pdf

Read the sermon (Matthew 7: 24-27)

          by Rev. George Gorman Word Doc (.doc)      pdf

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