NWS confirms tornado touched down in Va. Beach

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (AP) — The National Weather Service says a weak tornado touched down in Virginia Beach on Thursday.

Meteorologist Bill Sammler said Friday an examination of the damage caused by the storm revealed that a twister with winds of 70 to 75 mph lashed the tourist city’s oceanfront. About a dozen people required hospital treatment for injuries.

The storm ripped the siding off homes, toppled utility poles and blew out some windows at businesses.

Sammler said the tornado was rated an EF-0.

Sammler said severe weather in Southampton, also on Thursday, was not deemed a tornado. Straight-line winds reached up to 80 mph. Hail the size of golf balls also pelted the region.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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