CAPE CHARLES: A fierce storm packing powerful winds, large hail and rain killed two people and injured more than two dozen as it flipped recreational vehicles at a US campground on Thursday, officials said.

Most of the injuries ranged from cuts to broken bones.

At least one person was in critical condition. The storm slammed into the Cherry­stone Family Camping & RV Resort in Virginia on Wednesday morning. About 1,300 people were there when the storm hit, according to the state Emergency Management Department.

“All hell broke loose,” said Joe Colony, who has been coming to the campground for 30 years.

“We got an emergency message on a cellphone and within 30 seconds, the thing hit.” Virginia State Police spokeswoman Corinne Gel­ler confirmed the deaths. The National Weather Service had issued a tornado warning for the area.

Joe Micucci said he and his wife couldn’t escape in their car because of the hail, so they waited out the storm in their camper. He said he felt fortunate they weren’t hurt. “We saw at least five (campers) that were flipped over. One was completely gone and only had its wheels left,” said Micucci. Coast Guard spokesman Petty Officer 3rd Class David Weydert said crews also were responding to reports of boats overturned.

At least three people were pulled from the water, he said, though their conditions were unknown.—AP

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2014