Update: About 20 homes were destroyed or suffered significant damage in the Elon area from Sunday's severe storm believed to be a tornado, Amherst County Director of Public Safety Gary Roakes said early Monday.
Roakes said officials will continue assessing damage Monday morning. Areas impacted are Elon Road, Nottoway Drive, Hunt Club Drive and Deerfield Drive, he said. Other parts of Amherst County had storm damage but Elon was the most affected area, he said.
The county asks residents not to sight see or drop off donations in the Elon area as emergency workers clean up the damage. Virginia 130, which remains closed in both directions, has power lines across the roads, he said.
Comparing the storm to the derecho windstorm in the summer of 2012 that devastated much of the county, Roakes said Sunday's weather event was more isolated and caused heavier structure damage.
Roakes, a county native, said Sunday's storm is by far one of the greatest impacts from a natural disaster to strike Amherst County.
As emergency workers from multiple jurisdictions respond to the damage, the Amherst County Sheriff's Office asks residents not to travel to Elon area if they do not reside there while recovery efforts continue, said Capt. John Grieser.
"Extra traffic hurts recovery efforts," Grieser said in an email shortly after 1 a.m. Monday. "We will provide additional information as this recovery operation continues. Please be patient."
Earlier: Numerous Amherst County homes were badly damaged from a severe storm Sunday and residents are advised to avoid the Elon area as a large emergency response has unfolded there, the Amherst County Sheriff's Office said.
"We're in the midst of trying to assess damage and start recovery efforts," said Capt. John Grieser shortly after 9 p.m.
Monelison Middle School has been opened as a shelter for anyone in need and several residents were transported there.
Amherst County Administrator Dean Rodgers said Virginia 130 in the Elon area is closed in both directions and will stay closed through Monday as cleanup continues.
He said about 20 homes are destroyed and six to seven people were taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries.
Grieser said there are no major injuries officials are aware of and residents in the Elon area have been checked on. The Amherst County Humane Society is taking in pets for anyone displaced or those who need to relocate them, he said.
Elon Elementary School is without power, Rodgers said. Emergency workers have been knocking on doors and "everyone is accounted for," he said.
Crews currently are cutting trees on the roadway in Elon, he said.
It appears a tornado touched down at the Elon Ruritan Club and headed west of Cedar Gate Road, Rodgers said.
Amherst County Public Schools are closed Monday, according to the division's website.
"We're trying to get things back in order," Grieser said.
About 20,000 residents in the counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, Campbell and the city of Lynchburg are without power, according to Dominion, Southside, Central Virginia Electric Cooperative and Appalachian Power companies.
Gary and Leecy Fink and their five children were among those affected by the storm damage Sunday, according to a GoFundMe page set up to help the family. The Finks took cover in the basement and held a door over them to take shield from falling debris, according to the page.
Neighbors helped the Fink family exit the home, according to the page. As of 11 p.m. Sunday, $14,955 had been raised through the page, which listed a goal of $20,000.
Kelly Heckman, owner of Winridge Manor Bed and Breakfast off Winesap Road in Madison Heights, said she has noticed a large police presence in the area and said up to 10 people can stay there for shelter.
She said a neighbor can take another four people if needed.
Winridge Manor can be reached at (434) 333-5207.