Hampton, Virginia, Declares Local Emergency for Areas Hit by Tornado

The city of Hampton, Virginia, has declared a local emergency for the areas affected by last Friday’s tornado.

Officials estimated that last week’s tornado caused more than $4.3 million in damages. But they said they do not expect to reach the damage levels required for state or federal aid.

State Secretary of Public Safety Marla Decker and Michael Cline, state coordinator of emergency management, toured Hampton on Monday to meet with local officials and view damage.

The city council announced it will take a formal vote at its next meeting on waiving permit fees for people repairing tornado damage. Officials said city crews are still working to clean up public areas.

So far, crews collected more than 200 truckloads of debris in affected areas. Merrimac Shores and the area of Bridge Street/Park Place – areas hardest hit by the tornado –still have substantial debris, and cleanup will continue through the week.