The National Weather Service confirmed it was an EF-3 tornado that hit Washington County in and around the town of Glade Spring early Thursday morning, killing three people and injuring 50 others. Wind speeds reached up to 130 MPH.
The strongest amount of damage was centered around Exit 29 of Interstate 81, where the tornado tossed 18 wheelers like toy trucks and crippled several businesses and buildings.
At least two neighborhoods were also hit in the town and on the outskirts of town in Washington County.
Emergency officials said one person died in a house, another died when a car wash collapsed, and officials declined to reveal details on the third death.
Officials also declined to release the names of each victim.
At least two shelters opened in nearby Abingdon and the Virginia State Police said they would enforce a curfew in Glade Spring from 8 PM to 6 AM.
The National Weather Service also confirmed an EF-2 tornado hit across the Washington County line in Smyth County's town of Chilhowie.
There were few reported injuries and no deaths in that tornado.
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