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Remembering the April 15, 2018 tornado in Amherst County
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Remembering the April 15, 2018 tornado in Amherst County

  • The News & Advance file photos
  • Apr 17, 2026
  • Apr 17, 2026
  • 0
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On the evening of April 15, 2018, an otherwise normal Sunday turned into one of the most memorable nights in Amherst County’s history when a powerful tornado brought winds well above 100 miles an hour, causing millions in damaging and destroying or severely damaging more than a 100 structures across the county.
 
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LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW - Randy Johnson home

The home of Randy Johnson, in the Elon area of Amherst County, is shown Monday, April 16, 2018, after it was destroyed by a storm Sunday.

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In this April 17, 2018, file photo, then-Amherst County Administrator Dean Rodgers talks to community members about the recovery efforts from an April 15, 2018 tornado in Elon.

The News & Advance file photo
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 05.jpg

The scene from Elon, pictured on Monday, April 16, 2018 in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 06.jpg

The scene from Elon, pictured on Monday, April 16, 2018 in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
2018-04-16 Tornado

The scene from Elon, pictured on Monday, April 16, 2018 in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
2018-04-16 Tornado

A home on Virginia 130, pictured on Monday, April 16, 2018 in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
2018-04-16 Tornado

The scene from Elon, pictured on Monday, April 16, 2018 in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 01.jpg

A man clears debris from Virginia 130 near a downed power line on Monday, April 16, 2018 in Elon, Va.

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 09.jpg

David Neighbors picks up debris after a tornado hit on Monday, April 16, 2018 in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 08.jpg

David Neighbors picks up debris from his home, pictured in background, after a tornado hit on Monday, April 16, 2018 in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 56.jpg

Volunteers work to clean up debris on Monday, April 16, 2018 from a severe storm that struck Sunday in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 53.jpg

On Monday, April 16, 2018, volunteers gather and sort clothes from debris from a severe storm that struck Sunday night in Elon, Va.

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 52.jpg

Volunteers work to clean up debris on Monday, April 16, 2018 from a severe storm that struck Sunday in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 51.jpg

A dog finds some cold cuts on Monday, April 16, 2018 among the debris as volunteers work to clean up debris from a severe storm that struck Sunday night in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 50.jpg

Volunteers work to clean up debris on Monday, April 16, 2018 from a severe storm that struck Sunday in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 49.jpg

Volunteers work to clean up debris on Monday, April 16, 2018 from a severe storm that struck Sunday in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 47.jpg

Volunteers work to clean up debris on Monday, April 16, 2018 from a severe storm that struck Sunday in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 46.jpg

Volunteers work to clean up debris on Monday, April 16, 2018 from a severe storm that struck Sunday in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 45.jpg

Volunteers work to clean up debris on Monday, April 16, 2018 from a severe storm that struck Sunday in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 44.jpg

Volunteers work to clean up debris on Monday, April 16, 2018 from a severe storm that struck Sunday in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 43.jpg

Volunteers work to clean up debris on Monday, April 16, 2018 from a severe storm that struck Sunday in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 42.jpg

Volunteers work to clean up debris on Monday, April 16, 2018 from a severe storm that struck Sunday in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 41.jpg

Trees sheared off from a severe storm Sunday are pictured on Monday, April 16, 2018 in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 40.jpg

On Monday, April 16, 2018, family photos and other recovered items are stacked together after a Sunday's severe storm in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 39.jpg

A Virginia Search and Rescue team makes its way through the damage on Monday, April 16, 2018 in Elon, Va. after a severe storm struck Sunday.

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 38.jpg

On Monday, April 16, 2018, debris litters the path of a severe storm from Sunday in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 35.jpg

On Monday, April 16, 2018, Ryan Polaski and Ryan Jones sort through debris from a severe storm Sunday in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 36.jpg

Home owner Paul Fink, second from left, and others look at what's left of his home on Monday, April 16, 2018 in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 37.jpg

On Monday, April 16, 2018, debris litters the path of a severe storm from Sunday in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 25.jpg

Mia Polaski surveys the damage to her family's home on Monday, April 16, 2018 after a severe storm Sunday in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 27.jpg

On Monday, April 16, 2018, a child's toy sits among the debris after a severe storm Sunday in Elon, Va.

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 28.jpg

Randy Johnson sports a tu-tu that he found among the debris from a severe storm that struck his home Sunday, a light moment in an otherwise devastating day, on Monday, April 16, 2018 in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 29.jpg

Randy Johson, Ryan Polaski, and Ryan Jones sort through debris from Randy's house Monday, April 16, 2018 after a severe storm Sunday in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 30.jpg

A home damaged from the Sunday storm, pictured on Monday, April 16, 2018 in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 31.jpg

On Monday, April 16, 2018, debris litters the path of a severe storm from Sunday in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 32.jpg

On Monday, April 16, 2018, debris litters the path of a severe storm from Sunday in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 33.jpg

A woman on Monday, April 16, 2018 surveys the damage to a home from a severe storm Sunday in Elon, Va.

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 34.jpg

On Monday, April 16, 2018, debris litters the path of a severe storm from Sunday in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 24.jpg

Mia Polaski surveys the damage to her family's home on Monday, April 16, 2018 after a severe storm Sunday in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 23.jpg

ELON, VA, APRIL 16: Ryan Polaski sorts through debris of his father-in-law's house after a tornado on Monday, April 16, 2018 in Elon, Va. (Photo by Jay Westcott)

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 20.jpg

Randy Johnson takes a call on Monday, April 16, 2018 from his insurance company after his home was destroyed by a severe storm Sunday in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 57.jpg

On Monday, April 16, 2018, volunteer Jake Heidorn helps to clean up debris from a severe storm that struck Sunday night in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 65.jpg

Roger Johnson's house is shown on Monday, April 16, 2018 in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 63.jpg

A scene from the aftermath of Sunday's storm damage on Monday, April 16, 2018 in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 62.jpg

Volunteer Jake Heidorn cuts a fallen tree with a chainsaw on Monday, April 16, 2018 as he helps clean up debris from a severe storm that struck Sunday in Elon, Va.

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 60.jpg

Kristian Dickerson looks through items in what's left of his father-in-law's house on Monday, April 16, 2018 in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 61.jpg

A scene from the aftermath of Sunday's storm damage on Monday, April 16, 2018 in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 81.JPG

On Monday, April 16, 2018, Gary Fink surveys the damage to his RV after a severe storm swept through and destroyed his home Sunday in Elon, Va.

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
2018-04-16 Tornado

On Monday, April 16, 2018, Gary Fink surveys the damage to his RV after a severe storm swept through and destroyed his home Sunday in Elon, Va.

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 78.JPG

Rebecca Farley, left, hugs her sister Rene Sellick, as Rene's daughter Tori Sellick, background, searches for items among the debris on Monday, April 16, 2018 in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 77.JPG

Rebecca Farley, Rene Sellick, and Tori Sellick take a photograph at the Sellicks' home as they search for items amidst the debris on Monday, April 16, 2018 in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 76.JPG

Rebecca Farley and her sister Rene Sellick salvage recoverable items from Rene's home on Monday, April 16, 2018 in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
2018-04-16 Tornado

Rebecca Farley hands an item to Roger Johnson as they search for recoverable items at Johnson's home on Monday, April 16, 2018 in Elon, Va.

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
2018-04-16 Tornado

Mia Polaski and her husband Ryan Polaski kiss during a brief moment of respite on Monday, April 16, 2018 while clearing debris from her father Randy's Elon home that was struck by a tornado the day before.

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 71.JPG

Russ Johnson takes an axe to debris as he helps clear his brother Randy's house on Monday, April 16, 2018 in Elon, Va.

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 69.JPG

A note reading "Mike bought a beautiful bicycle" lays on the ground amidst debris on Monday, April 16, 2018 after a severe storm struck Sunday in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 67.JPG

Electrical workers secure electrical equipment on Monday, April 16, 2018 in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04172018 Elon Tornado JW 66.JPG

A volunteer rakes debris from a yard on Monday, April 16, 2018 after a severe storm swept through Sunday in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
Tornado Aerials 06

An aerial view of storm damage, pictured on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
Brian Moran

Brian Moran, Virgina secretary of public safety and homeland security, speaks to news representatives at a news conference Tuesday, April 17, 2018 in Elon about tornado damage in Central Virginia.

Rachel Mahoney/The News & Advance
L0418 Elon Tornado JW 79.JPG

The remains of the Fink house, pictured on Monday, April 16, 2018 in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
2018-04-17 Tornado

Sophie Johnson clears debris from her father's house on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04182018 Elon Day 2 JW 03.jpg

Dennis Martin, co-worker of Keith Waters, in green, helps move debris from Waters' yard during clean up efforts from an EF2 tornado that struck, pictured on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
2018-04-17 Tornado

An American flag flaps in the wind at the Childress residence on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 in Elon, Va.

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04192018 Elon Day 3 18

ELON, VA - APRIL 18: Amherst High School students Clifton Mays, Cody Creamer and Alex Lacombe work to tear down Randy Johnson's swimming pool that was damaged in Sunday's tornado on Wednesday, April 18, 2018 in Elon, Va. (Photo by Jay Westcott/The News & Advance)

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
2018-04-18 Tornado

Chris Vega, right, and his daughter Novalee Vega, 5, enjoy a snack together during a break from clean up efforts at their home on Wednesday, April 18, 2018 in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
2018-04-18 Tornado

Inmate Stephen Locke helps clear debris from Roger Johnson's yard, along with inmates Hunter Shaw and Chris Elrod, background right, on Wednesday, April 18, 2018 in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
2018-04-19 Tornado

A flag attached to a tornado-ravaged tree in Randy Johnson's yard flaps in the breeze on Thursday, April 19, 2018 in Elon, Va. 

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
LNA 04202018 Tornado Day 4 25.JPG

ELON, VA - APRIL 19: Brandon Smith cleans up debris from his yard on Thursday, April 19, 2018 in Elon, Va. (Photo by Jay Westcott/The News & Advance)

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
2018-04-19 Tornado - LNA 04202018 Tornado Day 4 26.JPG

John Massie takes inventory of his equipment that was damaged in the tornado, pictured on Thursday, April 19, 2018 in Elon, Va.

Jay Westcott/The News & Advance
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