Officials tour tornado damage

HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY.com) - Secretary of Public Safety Marla Decker and State Coordinator of Emergency Management Michael Cline spent the afternoon touring a tornado damaged Hampton.

They were joined by Mayor Molly Ward and Congressman Bobby Scott, among other elected officials.

"We'll look first at the federal side if there's any chance of being able to qualify," said Cline. Cline said right now it looks as though they don't meet the thresholds for federal aid.

"Once you've been hit you hope you qualify," he said.

State programs could assist the City with its expenses and the Governor's newly created Disaster Relief Fund could help individuals At Secretary Decker's suggestion, Congressman Bobby Scott said they'll review existing formulas for determining aid.

"We may not qualify but we have to review to see if some areas that traditionally don't qualify should qualify," said Congressman Scott.

At Park Place, resident Barbara Good said she fared better than expected.

"Just some tree damage," said Good.

The tour wrapped up at Amory's Seafood Market. The wholesale fishing distribution business had its roof peeled back by the tornado.

"With the Black Beard Festival going on and tin flying through the air it's just very fortunate that nobody was hurt," Meade Amory said.