BEDFORD COUNTY, Va. — The severe storm system that collapsed a tent at Eastlake Community Church in Moneta Friday evening was part of a widespread weather event that produced 82 preliminary wind damage reports across Virginia and 35 in Southwest Virginia alone, according to the National Weather Service.
A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for Bedford County around 6:20 p.m. Outflow winds from the storm brought down the tent at the church around 6:40 p.m. An 85-year-old man remembered as a “pillar of the congregation” was killed and 22 others were injured during the church’s 20th anniversary celebration.
The region had been outlooked for severe weather since Wednesday, and was placed in a severe thunderstorm watch by the National Weather Service at 2:45 pm Friday.
Bedford County’s Acting Fire and Rescue Chief Abbey Johnston said the storm moved through quickly, leaving little time to react…