
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 4, 1990                   TAG: 9004040356
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Short

STORM SPAWNS TORNADO IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY

A tornado touched down in Chesterfield County on Monday night, tearing apart the showroom of a car dealership and knocking a tree on top of a house. Authorities said no injuries were reported.

Nelson Bennett's Ford dealership took the brunt of the tornado when it touched down about 8:45 p.m. Windows were shattered, cars were tossed together, the building's metal roof was twisted to bits, and steel beams were bent and tangled.

A state Transportation Department crew picked up one section of twisted metal from the dealership on Interstate 95, about a half-mile away.

County officials tentatively estimated property damage along a half-mile swath at up to $500,000. There was about $100,000 damage to Bennett's dealership.

Forecaster Hurtis Smith of the National Weather Service said about a half-dozen tornados touch down in Virginia each year.

- Associated Press

by CNB