On Tuesday March 4, the Big Stone Gap Fire Department received the call for a level 1 tornado that was 300 yards wide and 1 mile long ripped through Big Stone Gap a little after 5 p.m.
Captain Dan Gibson assumed Command of the incident until Chief Billy Chandler arrived shortly there after. A county wide mutual aid call was sent out to all fire and rescue personnel in the county area. Bristol Va. FD Structural Collapse team was activated and provided crucial help on shoring structures and monitoring IDLH levels.
Chief Chandler said that it was a blessing to have so much help on hand that fast on a moments notice. The help ranges from church organizations local and far away along with a whole lot of citizens, businesses, Red Cross, Salvation Army, Lowes, Wal-Marts,Food City, Food Lion and a ton of other people. We were very blessed to not have any serious injuries.
Several structures were damaged severely and people displaced from home lost everything.
A special thanks goes out from the Big Stone Gap Fire Department to all emergency agencies, businesses, church groups, citizens and everybody involved in this crisis.
