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Many people were left without power following a thunderstorm that blew the area last night, taking down trees and branches across the county. At 9 this morning, just over 900 Dominion Power customers and nearly 400 BARC customers were without power. Crews have been working throughout the day to restore power, but as of 1:30 p.m., more than 750 Rockbridge County residences are still without power.
Fire and emergency services were busy throughout the evening, responding to around 60 calls for downed trees across the entirety of Rockbridge County, according to Rockbridge County Fire Chief Nathan Ramsey.
Among them was a call to Jellystone Campground in Natural Bridge, where crews responded to a report of trees fallen on campers. The Glasgow Volunteer Fire Department and Glasgow Rescue Squad were first on the scene and found “a large tree that had fallen on several vehicles, campers, and tents,” according to a post on the fire department’s Facebook page. Crews were able to get to the vehicles and tents under the tree and determined that none were occupied. While on the scene, responders were notified that a tree had fallen on a cabin at the campground with occupants inside. Crews were able to clear the entrance to the cabin and get the occupants out. Natural Bridge Fire Department and Rockbridge County Fire and Rescue assisted Glasgow Fire Department at the scene.
No injuries were reported at Jellystone Park or anywhere else in the county.
“It’s fortunate, for sure, considering the magnitude of the wind that came through there, but there wasn’t any injuries at all,” Ramsey told The News-Gazette.
