Gusty winds emerging from thunderstorms that erupted on an unseasonably hot June afternoon collapsed a large tent during an outdoor service at EastLake Community Church near Moneta in Bedford County on Friday evening, killing one person and injuring 22 others.
Bedford County’s public information officer, Shelley Basinger, said one person died at the scene, 11 were transported to hospitals with injuries and 11 others were treated at the scene for minor injuries.
The storm hit during part of a weeklong revival to mark the church’s 20th anniversary. Pastor Tony Keaton posted on social media: “Our church family suffered a great tragedy tonight after an outdoor tent collapsed during a celebration service for our 20th anniversary. Just as I had walked to the stage to release people to their cars a burst of wind picked up the tent. There were several people transported to local hospitals and we are currently focused on caring and praying for them. We do not have details on their condition. Sadly one of our dear brothers suffered a fatal injury. Our hearts are broken for his precious family. We are grateful for all the first responders who are serving us tonight. We will have more to say at an appropriate time.”
Political leaders from around the state and region expressed condolences.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger posted on social media: “My heart is heavy with the news of the tragedy at EastLake Community Church this evening. I am grateful for the quick response of first responders, and our team is in close contact with the response team on the ground to provide assistance. I am praying for the EastLake Community Church and all who are impacted, and we will continue to support the community during this difficult time.”
“The entire Ninth District is praying for Bedford County after a tent collapse during an outdoor service at EastLake Community Church,” posted Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem.
“I am saddened to hear of the tragedy at EastLake Community Church this evening,” said state Sen. Mark Peake, R-Lynchburg. “As details continue to emerge, please join me in praying for the church family, first responders, and everyone impacted. Our thoughts are with the entire Bedford community during this difficult time.”
The storms were caused by an upper-level trough pressing into a hot, humid air mass, as temperatures poked into the mid to upper 90s in the Roanoke Valley and areas east of the Blue Ridge. Roanoke’s high of 97 degrees tied a record for June 12 set in 1926.
Clusters of thunderstorms began forming in West Virginia during the afternoon and moved eastward into Virginia. The strongest storms unleashed gusty winds and torrential rainfall focused on localized areas, while other spots had little or no significant impact from the storms.
There were numerous reports of downed trees. More than 5,000 utility customers in Bedford County, Franklin County, Roanoke County, Roanoke city and Botetourt County lost power in the storms, according to the website poweroutage.us shortly before 9 p.m. Friday.
The most serious impact, however, was at EastLake Community Church near Moneta, where outflow winds from the storms collapsed the large tent. Basinger said the tent had passed a safety inspection on June 9. “The weather conditions caused the tent structure to fail,” Basinger said in a news release. The Moneta Volunteer Fire Department responded to the event, assisted by “emergency personnel and resources from neighboring localities,” she said.
