Tornadoes in Virginia Bring Love

Dr. Weiss spoke exclusively to Catholic Online about his experience in the dramatic events which occurred in Suffolk on Monday. He told of a medical community and facility which, through their response, transformed tragedy into triumph.

SUFFOLK, VA (CATHOLIC ONLINE) - Gov. Timothy M. Kaine has declared a state of emergency, releasing much needed emergency financial assistance for the devastated areas of southeastern Virginia affected by the violent force of three tornadoes on Monday, April 28, 2008.

One of those merciless tornadoes continued to wreak its devastation well beyond the boundaries of Suffolk, Virginia, affecting an additional area for 25 miles. The after effects were obvious this morning in the debris left littering the streets and fields of this beautiful, growing community. It consisted of the remains of the homes, cars and property of many hard working Virginians.

Fortunately, though the injury count is now at 200, there were no fatalities.

The National Weather Service reports that the tornadoes affected Suffolk, Colonial Heights and Brunswick County, Virginia. They were classified as "major" in their intensity.

The one that struck Brunswick County contained winds of 110 mph. The first touched down around 1 p.m. The second hit the area called Colonial Heights around 3:40 p.m. Then, the third touched ground repeatedly between 4:30 and 5 p.m. in the beautiful growing City of Suffolk, Virginia.

There are reports of upwards of 200 injuries in Suffolk, 18 in Colonial Heights and the count continues. A spokeswoman for the City of Suffolk, Dana Woodson, confirmed that the area around Sentara Obici Hospital, along with the community of Driver also within Suffolk, received the most severe damage.

Sentara Obici, a new, state of the arts Medical Facility sustained relatively minor structural damage. Talented staff was able to reconfigure its operation to resemble what was called by one of their numbers; Dr. Denton D. Weiss, M.D., a "full level trauma center".

Dr. Denton D. Weiss is a nationally renowned cosmetic surgeon. His current practice is located at a Medical Center which is a part of Sentara Obici Hospital in Suffolk, Virginia. Dr. Weiss spoke exclusively to Catholic Online about his experience in the dramatic events which occurred in Suffolk on Monday. He told of a medical community and facility which, through their response, transformed tragedy into triumph.

"It was amazing", said Dr. Weiss, "Everyone came together as a team with sacrificial energy and deep compassion and concern. Only by God's grace were there no fatalities from this storm."

Dr. Weiss then detailed the events as he experienced them: "I was standing at the third floor window of my offices, in between appointments, speaking to one of our staff, Dana. I said to her 'look at the clouds, man that looks like a tornado'".

At that moment the Surgeon recounted hearing a loud roar which shook the entire building. He directed everyone in his offices to: "Get down" and, as he did, he saw a tree passing through the air outside of the window.

Still in amazement at the events which had occurred the Doctor told Catholic Online of his personal experiences of operating on some of the of the many patients who streamed into Sentara Obici Hospital.

He told of a young man who "flew through the air in his car", yet survived it all. He spoke of an "older, lovely woman" who was shielded by her loving husband's body while their house was totally destroyed. He happily added that "both of them, husband and wife, survived, were treated and are doing well".

In impassioned words he said of the experience: "It made you believe even more in the mercy of God, that even in these horrible, traumatic events, God brings love and good out of people."

Dr. Weiss told Catholic Online that all of the Doctors, Nurses and support staff, spread throughout this large medical complex, came together and formed a team which had only one objective, "...to help and to heal. Trauma surgeons, along with many other Doctors with needed expertise, just happened to be there, at just the right time" he said.

Speaking with a palpable sense of admiration and gratitude for the sacrificial work of his peers in the Medical community, Doctor Weiss also spoke of drawing from his own deeply held Catholic Faith throughout the entire experience. He detailed how he and those working with him, including one of his own patients who, also a medical professional, came to volunteer, went from room to room sewing wounds and treating the wounded.

With deep emotion, and with obvious living faith informing his story he repeated "It was amazing. Everyone came together as a team. Only by God's grace were there no fatalities".

As of the writing of this report there are still none. The good Doctor asks that we "keep praying".

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