Dale City native Christina Epperson spotted a tornado on the way to work on Sunday.
She was on her way to her emergency room nursing job at a hospital in Johnson City, Tenn. when she spotted the funnel cloud. Epperson says she was driving on Interstate 26 between Gray and Kingsport, Tenn. when she spotted the tornado, and then took shelter underneath a highway overpass.
She shared her experience with us in her own words:
I had a mini heart attack and then decided it would be best to stop under the overpass with all the other cars collecting there. Then when people began evacuating their families out of the vehicles and up the steep concrete to the narrow top under the roadway, I followed them. Figured they are the locals and maybe they know more about this stuff than I do.
After about 5 mins of panicking, I saw cars were still driving and decided to take my chances. Didn’t want to be late to work! A few hundred yards down the road, there were trees snapped in half.
My coworker who lives in the same area apparently was smarter than me and waited until the danger had passed to get on the road to work. She said there was debris and cars turned the wrong way where I had passed through just a few minutes before.
I guess I’ve had enough excitement for one day…and I can now confirm to my parents that they were correct in thinking I didn’t know what I was talking about when I said I wanted to be a storm chaser after watching “Twister” 7 times in the movie theater.
I’m probably being super overdramatic about this experience, but it sure felt pretty super dramatic to me. LOL (PS: I still highly enjoyed the beautiful storm clouds and lightning on my way to work…)
TV station WJHL reports a tornado did damage homes in the region. The storms dropped baseball-sized hail in portions of western Tennessee and southwest Virginia, according to the TV station.
Updated: The photo was taken by Epperson’s co-worker who also spotted the same twister.
Recent Stories
On Sunday afternoon, nearly 100 people gathered in a Taco Bell parking lot less than a mile from the clinic’s doors with a shared aim: taking ownership of its now-precarious future.
The project to widen Balls Ford Road between Doane Drive and Ashton Avenue to a four-lane, divided roadway is now officially complete. The county’s Department of Transportation held a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the parking lot of the General Shale Brick Company last week.
Another round of weather challenges is in store today as a robust cold front approaches. The front will bring gusty winds and low relative humidity.
Join us on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., for the dedication of the Town of Occoquan’s LOVEworks sign in River Mill Park (415 Mill Street, Occoquan), designed by artist Darby Leondra. This event is free and open to the public.
To celebrate Air Quality Awareness Week (May 6-10, 2024), Clean Air Partners is working with A Few Cool Hardware Stores to exchange DC, Maryland and Virginia residents’ gas-powered lawnmowers, trimmers, and leaf blowers at select Ace Hardware locations in the region. DMV residents who turn in their gas-powered lawn tools will receive a FREE Ego Power+ replacement including batteries and chargers, while supplies last.
Compared to gas, electric lawn equipment can reduce emissions, noise pollution, health risks and maintenance costs and time. The program aims to remove about a hundred gas-powered polluting tools from yards in the greater Baltimore-Washington region.
The exchanges will take place the weekends of May 17-19, 2024, and May 31-June 2, 2024, at A Few Cool Hardware Stores network of employee-owned Ace Hardware stores in the DC and Baltimore metro areas. To participate and get your free Ego Power+ lawn tool, sign up at https://qrco.de/CAPExchange to reserve your tool and select your trade-in date and location.
Are you feeling overwhelmed by life’s challenges? Do stress and anxiety seem to dominate your thoughts? At Peaceful Mind Solutions, we understand that navigating mental health can be daunting, but you don’t have to do it alone.
Our team of compassionate therapists is here to guide you on your journey toward inner peace and emotional well-being. With a client-centered approach, we tailor our therapy sessions to meet your unique needs and goals. Whether you’re struggling with depression, coping with trauma, or simply seeking personal growth, we provide a safe and supportive space for healing and growth.
Embark on a path of self-discovery with our comprehensive range of therapy services, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness practices, and holistic approaches. Our experienced therapists are dedicated to helping you cultivate resilience, develop coping skills, and foster a greater sense of self-awareness.
Free Irish Music Concert
Welcoming Spring with music from the Emerald Isle, the New Dominion Choraliers offer a FREE concert on Saturday, April 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the First United Presbyterian Church of Dale City.
Joined by Legacy Brass and members of Old
Spring Ceili: An Irish Music Festival
The New Dominion Choraliers of Prince William County and McGrath Morgan Academy of Irish Dance invite you to join them at our Ceili, a grand celebration of Irish music and dance.
A gathering of performance groups throughout Prince William County
