Tornado touches down in Hampton

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) - It was a busy night across Hampton Roads as many spotted tornados and water spouts in the region.

In North Carolina
Elizabeth City law enforcement officials tell WAVY.com that a tornado was spotted and lifted near Route 17 around 5:20 p.m. Weather watchers report that large trees are down in central Elizabeth City.

Tornado warnings were issued in Camden, Perquimans and Pasquotank counties, but all warnings expired at 5:45 p.m.

Super Doppler 10 meteorologist Jeff Edmondson says pea-sized hail was also reported with the storm.

In Hampton Roads
Around 8:15 p.m., tornado warnings were issued for the cities of Hampton, Newport News and Poquoson. Shortly there after, a tornado was spotted in Hampton.

Link: View photos of the tornado and water spout

As a result, many roads were closed. Nora Shivers with VDOT says crews were busy clearing drains and debris along I-664 near the MMMBT and I-264 at Victory Boulevard are areas where heavy water  accumulated.

At 8:30 p.m., the warnings expired for Hampton, Newport News and Poquoson, but shortly thereafter, a tornado warning was for Northampton County. That warning expired at 10 p.m.

Watch Report It Video of the funnel cloud.

Surveying the aftermath, Cpl. Jason Price with Hampton Police says there no report of injuries, but trees are down.

"We've been very fortunate, but we are asking people to avoid the downtown area as many first responders are in the area to assess the situation," Price says.

The Blackbeard Pirate Festival in Hampton was canceled Friday night as a result of the storm, and 10 On Your Side's Anne McNamara reported live from the scene of toppled tables, tents and food trucks on downtown streets. Queens Way in Hampton was hit especially hard.

Heavy damage was also reported at Hampton Yacht Club.

Cpl. Jason Price described the scene in Hampton as a "controlled chaos," saying that there are trees uprooted, a gas leak and damage reports across the city. No major injuries are reported. Police advise people to avoid coming into the Downtown Hampton area as crews assess the damage.

Dominion Power reported approximately 5,000 power outages across the area at one point after the storm.

At 10 p.m., VDOT reported that Newport News Police closed ramps from Interstate 664 to 35th Street and Jefferson Ave because water on the city roadway.

Super Doppler 10 meteorologists advise residents to take shelter indoors, away from windows, preferably in a basement or small interior room during strong storms. If in a mobile home, evacuate to a substantial structure.