The National Weather Service out of Blacksburg, Virginia has confirmed an EF-1 tornado touched down near Blowing Rock Wednesday evening. “It appears that the tornado touched down near the intersection of Birch Drive and Hill Street and traveled northeast for approximately 0.6 mile before lifting northeast of Chetola Lake Drive.” Information From NWS Blacksburg: Rating: EF-1 Estimated Peak Wind: 86-90 mph Path Length: 0.6 miles Path Width: approximately 75 yards No injuries or fatalities Time: 6:38 PM – 6:40 PM