We will rebuild. This is who we are as a country the community of evergreen stands together the day after a violent ef3 tornado devastated the community. 0816 on over in the community its three or four houses that are totally gone. Theres nothing left on them only the foundation. Scattered throughout the destruction though are signs of hope. A sign that reads pray stands in the second story of susan Harris Family house. Thats our message to everyone that has texted or called and asked what can we do. We dont even know what to tell people to do 2431 the people of evergreen were looking for hope whether it was from above or from strangers that became friends on the ground. 3741 it broke my heart. I do believe that when we see problems in the world we are the solution, these friends walking along 460 they came across an American Flag intertwined in the debris. 5459 notice there was an American Flag tangled up in the power americans were strong. While the storm has passed, the pain remains for now and thats why this community will continue to hope as they rebuild for the future. Today we need a prayer for our community because as everyone can see its just devastating. And its going to take sometime again this afternoon the National Weather service confirmed ef3 tornado damage. Thats wind of 136165 mph. Something more indicative of the midwest and not virginia. Reporting live Jonathan Kegges wsls 10. Thank you jonathan. Storm team 10 spent hours on the air, keeping you updated, before and after the historic tornado hit wednesday. We turn things back over now to chief meteorologist Jeff Haniewich now. Jeff you did some digging today. After the National Weather having ef3 intensity. I understand. This is a local recordbreaker for the month of february . After yesterdays Severe Weather and tornado outbreak across the region, it was nice to see a more tranquil day even though the wind was howling. Lets talk about the two tornadoes confirmed 1 evergreen in appomattox county ef3, winds 136 165 path width 400 yds width of four football fields path length 13 miles 7 injuries, 1 fatality 2 ararat ef1, winds 95105 path width 0. 5 miles path length 1. 75 miles no injuries our thoughts and prayers remain with all involved in yesterdays tornadoes. It was no doubt very windy on thursday, with some gusts over 50 mph. It will remain windy for us through friday. As a matter of fact, a wind advisory remains in effect for areas along and west of the parkway until 7 00a on friday. These are the locations that could continue to or 50 mph. In addition to the wind, we did have mountain snow showers today too. Parts of the nrv and highlands did return to winter today, with the favored west slopes above 2000 feet picking up on a light accumulation in spots. That chance for west slope snow showers Governor Terry mcauliffe traveled to apppomattox county today to assess the damage. The governor says. The commonwealth will appeal to the federal department of Emergency Management for help. Wsls 10s rachel lucas is also joining us live from appomattox county tonight. Rachel you talked to a woman who met up with governor mcauliffe during his tour. The impact she felt from the storm was very different from what some of her Family Members lived through. Absolutely governor mcauliffe met with Tracie Morgan and her brother today. Theyve been searching the rubble and debris you see here this used to be their mothers home. Now its completely gone. When the tornado hit evergreen last night the family night the family was in seperate homes. Luckily tracies home is still standing. But when she walked outside she noticed her mothers home where her brother was sleeping was destroyed. It took them about an hour and a half to find him. He was ripped from his home and thrown across the yard. Thankfully he had a four legged Family Member that saved him. Tracie morgan, lives in appomattox co. he was inside and he was sleeping and his dog woke him up and i guess the wall started to come down. He got thrown over there. The sad dead just a little bit ago. So we wrapped her up and are going to bury her. The community has certainly come together and weve met a lot of people with incredible stories of survival. While many have lost everything, they say they have a lot left to be thankful for. In evergreen rachel lucas wsls 10. As jeff mentioned. The National Weather service has confirmed an ef1 tornado in Patrick County. These are vivid images of the destruction left behind in ararat. National guard soldiers are stationed there tonight to assist with the cleanup. Meanwhile. Appomattox county Community Members are helping one another. Wsls 10s Colter Anstaett joins us now live. Colter the Animal Shelter is without power and water tonight . Running and do you have some power and some water now. But its not the best and up until this afternoon they had been without power. Thats why people like Robin Paulette have been donating water to the shelter. Robin paulette, donating water to shelter so far. No pets have been brought in from the storm. If your pet needs a place to go. You can take it to the shelter. Live in appomattox county. Colter were learning gods pit crew will load trucks with relief supplies and head to appomattox tomorrow morning. The group plans to send blessing buckets. Gatorade. And water around 10 am. Gpc will also help with tree removal and other cleanup efforts in tappahannock. The American Red Cross has an Emergency Shelter in place at 220 community lane. Disaster Mental Health volunteers are there. Tending to Community Members emotional needs as well. Gleaning for the world is also helping. The county has also established a help line. If you have questions call 434. 352. 2637. After the break. Well continue our coverage on the rising cost of college here in the commonwealth. In a special Education Report what virginia lawmakers are dollars in debt. A virginia delegate says about onemillion virginians owe more than 30 billion in student loans. Tonight. Wsls 10s jenna zibton continues a special Education Matters report taking a closer look at how students and lawmakers are working to lower the cost of college. 21 2 10 colby bender, Radford University senior sga president im going to be in debt about 60,000 when i leave radford which is pretty substantial. 21 17 38 sofia rosales, Radford University freshman do not super im looking at a good 30 40,000 that includes housing also Radford University students are lobbying for lower costs. And a student voice. Goi to washington. D richmdlking to lawmakersout theincosts of llege. 0 25 21 4 30 colby bender, Radford University senior sga president its necessary to raise tuition sometimes but its gotten so out of hand and Financial Aid in virginia is just so inconsistently funded students dont really have the opportunity especially if youre family to go to college 46 lawmakers are listening. Virginia lawmakers passed new laws. After a series of key findings in the joint legislative audit and review commission report. One law limits the percentage of student fees that can be used for athletics programs. After the report found mandatory athletic fees averaged 12 percent of student tuition and fees in 20122013. Schools must report fees. And publish those online. And. Review staffing. Especially highly paid supervisors with only one employee under them. Something one local school is already doing. And finding savings. 1 07 1 12 23 32 35 jenna zibton Radford University says its important to maintain the quality programs that theyve always had but theyre trying to be more efficient making sure they dont have too much staff in one area and making sure return on investment there is always there when they spend money 51 1 231 27 senator mark warner, dva the challenge is with student debt now at 1. 3 trillion greater than fact that many of these young people are out not starting families, not buying that first house, not starting a new business because theyre trapped with so much debt means that it stalls the economic recovery senators mark warner. And tim kaine held a roundtable with College Students from around virginia. And say changes can be made. 7 28 26 senator mark warner, dva there are common sense things we can do. Allowing students to refinance their debt at a lower interest rate, making it easier to start at a Community College and then go on to a fouryear institution and have those credits fully transfer. A complete no brainer saying that if a company can allow an employee to go back and get such education with pretax dollars lets let that same company use pretax dollars to pay down student debt 53 21 3 11 colby bender, Radford University senior sga president for me it does seem very very crippling. It seems like its going to be very insurmountable to get my way out of debt jenna several bills have been proposed this legislative session one would make it possible to refinance student loans. Much like you refinance your house. Session. So more research can be done. But hes optimistic something could be passed next year. Obviously, there are other options for students. Like going to Community College or taking dual enrollment classes in high school. Jenna zibton, wsls 10. Coming up in your storm team there has to be a way. Carry the centimeter, divide by 3. 14 something something something. [ beeping, whirring ] great caesar salad and now the name your price tool shows people policy options to help fit their budget. Is that a true story . Yeah people really do save an average of over 500 when they switch. I mean about you inventing it. I invented the story, and isnt that what really matters . After yesterdays Severe Weather and tornado outbreak across the region, it was nice to see a more tranquil day even though the wind was howling. Lets talk about the two tornadoes confirmed ef3, winds 136 165 path width 400 yds width of four football fields path length 13 miles 7 injuries, 1 fatality 2 ararat in Patrick County ef1, winds 95105 path width 0. 5 miles path length 1. 75 miles no injuries our thoughts and prayers remain with all involved in yesterdays tornadoes. It was no doubt very windy on thursday, with some gusts over 50 mph. It will remain windy for us through friday. As a matter of fact, a wind advisory remains in effect for areas along and west of the parkway until 7 00a on friday. These are the locations that could continue to see wind gusts over 40 wind, we did have mountain snow showers today too. Parts of the nrv and highlands did return to winter today, with the favored west slopes above 2000 feet picking up on a light accumulation in spots. That chance for west slope snow showers will continue through this evening. Tonight mostly cloudy with any mountain snow showers ending, blustery with lows in the upper 20s to near 30. Friday partly to mostly sunny, cool breezy with highs in the lower 40s. The weekend is looking very nice for outdoor activities. Both days will be mainly sunny. And temperatures will go up through the period. Saturday will top out in the midtoupper 40s, while on sunday, we should hit the lower 60s forecast early next week too monday, though, will probably see a little more cloud cover. Late in the day we may even see a few showers in the wednesday will be mostly cloudy with scattered and speaking of hot. That would describe the basketball action im Hillary Clinton and i approve this message. Her lifes work has been about breaking barriers. And so would her presidency. Which is why, for every american whos not being paid what theyre worth. Whos held back by student debt or a system tilted against them country cant reach its potential. Unless we all do. Together. And with hs hoops region titles up for grabs in the coming days. Our own alyssa rae checks in with another local power thinking repeat. In 2016. As the saying goes, every dog has its day. Well for the martinsville bulldogs, that day came last year, winning the 2a basketball state championship. Jeff adkins martinsvi lle head coach its very hard to repeat as champions, everybody is gunning for you and every game gets tougher at this stage. In martinsville, the hunt to become a bulldog starts when theyre just little pups, and this pack has played together for years. Aaron martin bulldogs junior weve just been playing for a long time, i just feel like we know each other a lot and it feels like my brothers out there playing together. The big dog on this squad is 6 foot 7, radford bound Devonnte Holland, who sniffed out his 2 thousandth point in their 9247 victory over appomatix monday in the first round of Devonnte Holland bulldo gs senior it was unbelievable because when i hit my free throw to hit my 2 thousandth, all my teammates and fans they just all went crazy. Martinsville has only suffered 3 losses this season. Up next, theyll be chasing a win in the 2a semifinals against gate city. Alyssa rae wsls 10 sports Martinsville High SchoolBoys Basketball team has 14 state titles, including last years state championship. This year the team hopes to send the seniors out with 15. Arae martin i want to repeat, just to do it for the seniors basically, send them out with a bang. While the bulldogs know to take it game by game, make no bones about it. They want to fetch another championship in 2016. Adkins if you look around here we have 14 state championship banners and its in them to want to win another title. In martinsville, alyssa rae wsls 10 sports. Atlanta is next. Heres the lastest from the daytona 500 victory grabbed by denny hamlin reminds everyone that last season. Is not forgotten. Kyle buschs first sprint cup title. Was simply a culmination of the gibbs team. Reaching the pinnacle of the sport. And that Fearsome Foursome of drivers. Will all need to be reconned with. Kyle busch 2015 nascar champ . You know us for coming together was the biggest motivation motivating motivating factor of us being upfront most of the day great day for Joe Gibbs Racing really pumped for joe to get back to victory lane here this weekits atlanta, and the 2016 aero package will debut. Simply put. Its a combination of a shorter spoiler and splitter and a smaller radiator pan. That decreases the downforcemak ing the cars harder to handle. And placing a premium. On driver skillwhich should lead. To more passing. Vhsl region semis tonight. Sergio. Leads honda big south men back on action tonight. Highlight cut ito ut. Unranked colorado. Upsets 9th ranked arizona last night. And. Yep. A court storm. Over number 9. Really . Act like youve been there before. Or cut itout. Nbc nightly news is next. And dont forget join us back here developing news tonight. Tornado disaster. States of emergency as over two dozen twisters carve a deadly path of destruction. Hundreds of homes decimated. For the first time, we see the massive scope of the damage. Targeting trump. A critical night for cruz and rubio. Chance to blunt Donald Trumps march to the nomination. Super lice warning, striking in 25 states. Extremely resistant to the ways we usually get rid of them. What every parent should know. Dont drink the water. Another big city warns its residents about whats flowing into their homes. And video horror. The chilling moment that made erin andrews get up and leave the courtroom. As jurors see the tape that she says turned her life into a nightly news begins right now. Announcer this is nbc nightly news with lester holt. Good evening. States of emergency are in effect in virginia, and North Carolina right now. Among the places that took devastating blows of a violent and deadly storm that rampaged from the south up the eastern seaboard. Today were seeing the full extent of the damage from some 50 reported tornadoes over the last two days. Nine people were