Bill Text: VA SJR54 | 2016 | Regular Session | Enrolled

Virginia Senate Joint Resolution 54 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Commending first responders to the Cherrystone Campgrounds tornado.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2016-01-29 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ54ER) [SJR54 Detail]

Download: Virginia-2016-SJR54-Enrolled.html

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 54 Commending first responders to the Cherrystone Campgrounds tornado. Agreed to by the Senate, January 14, 2016 Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 29, 2016

WHEREAS, on July 24, 2014, an EF-1 tornado touched down on the Cherrystone Campgrounds, at Cherrystone Family Camping and RV Resort in Cape Charles, that overturned multiple recreational vehicles and damaged property and trees; and

WHEREAS, the tornado caused a tractor trailer to flip on Lankford Highway in Northampton County and was accompanied by severe rain and golf-ball-sized hail; the event tragically resulted in multiple fatalities and numerous major and minor injuries; and

WHEREAS, the Northampton County Board of Supervisors declared a state of emergency, and fire and police departments, medical personnel, and citizens quickly responded to the incident to assess the damage, care for the injured, and liaise with local hospitals to provide timely treatment; and

WHEREAS, from Northampton County, the Cape Charles Rescue Service, Cape Charles Volunteer Fire Company, Cape Charles Police Department, Cheriton Volunteer Fire Company, Community Volunteer Fire Company, Eastville Volunteer Fire Company, Eastville Police Department, Exmore Police Department, Northampton County Sheriff's Office, Northampton County Department of EMS, Northampton Fire Rescue, Northampton County Public Schools, Northampton County Administration staff, and Northampton County Social Services all worked to safeguard members of the public in the aftermath of the tornado; and

WHEREAS, numerous Accomack County units responded to the disaster, including the Accomack County Sheriff's Office, Accomack County Department of Public Safety, Bloxom Volunteer Fire Company, Melfa Volunteer Fire and Rescue, Onancock Volunteer Fire Department, Onley Volunteer Fire-Rescue, Parksley Volunteer Fire Company, and Wachapreague Volunteer Fire Company; and

WHEREAS, the Cherrystone Campgrounds staff, Virginia Marine Resources Commission, Virginia Marine Police, Virginia Conservation Police, Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel Police, Kiptopeke State Park Police, Virginia State Police, Red Cross, Shore Transport, Virginia Beach Fire and EMS, NASA Wallops Flight Facility Fire Department, Incident Management Team of the Chesapeake Fire Department, Eastern Shore of Virginia 9-1-1 Communications Center, and United States Coast Guard Station Cape Charles also responded to the incident to offer expertise and assistance; and

WHEREAS, the actions of the first responders to the Cherrystone Campgrounds tornado are a testament to the professionalism, dedication, and loyalty to the community displayed by first responders throughout the Commonwealth and the United States; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the first responders to the Cherrystone Campgrounds tornado for their efficient, effective, and well-coordinated efforts in response to an emergency situation; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the first responders to the Cherrystone Campgrounds tornado as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the actions of all units involved in the aftermath of this incident.