Andy Grossman, 13News

This picture shows the aftermath of the storm at a Suffolk shopping center.

SUFFOLK, VA. -- The National Weather Service confirms three tornadoes touched down in central and southeastern Virginia Monday. Associated Press reports authorities say at least 200 people suffered injuries throughout the Commonwealth.

Meteorologist Bryan Jackson of the National Weather Service says the twisters hit Suffolk, Colonial Heights and Brunswick County on Monday afternoon. He described Suffolk's as a "major tornado."

Monday evening, Governor Tim Kaine declared a state of emergency for areas of southeastern Virginia that suffered damage.

"Multiple buildings have been destroyed, homes have been destroyed," Suffolk city spokeswoman Dana Woodson said.

Lt. Debbie George, spokeswoman for the Suffolk Police Department, says at least 13 homes in the Burnett's Mill, Hillpoint Farm and Driver area suffered damage from the stom.

She adds that a strip shopping center at Route 10 and Route 58 suffered major damage. Route 58 reopened just before 8:00 p.m. Monday.

Route 10 at Route 58 is still closed, and is expected to stay closed for some time.

City spokeswoman, Woodson, said the area around the hospital and in the community of Driver were hardest hit.

In Driver, downed trees and power lines covered the streets. A vending machine was tilted on its side, leaning up against a pile of rubble that had been the general store in a small shopping district.

"It's just a bunch of broken power poles, telephone lines and sad faces," said Richard Allbright, who works for a tree removal service in Driver and had been out for hours trying to clear the roads.

Lt. George adds that the tornado destroyed Driver Variety Store and Harmony House Antiques, two local businesses.

Parents of children at Liberty Baptist Pre-School went to the Farm Fresh parking lot on North Main Street to pick up their children Monday evening per the request of Lt. George.

She says no foot or vehicle traffic is allowed into the Burnett's Mill and Hillpoint Farms neighborhoods due to damage and gas leaks. Monday night, Suffolk Police evacuated residents from the two neighborhoods and took them to King's Fork High School for the night.

The evacuation was mandatory for anyone whose home suffered damage, or who lives adjacent to a damaged home.

Additionally, police enacted and enforced an 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. curfew in those two neighborhoods and Driver.

According to Dale Gauding, spokesman for Sentara Obici Hospital in Suffolk, the storm caused damage to the hospital. A few patients had to be relocated, but Gauding says there are no reports of injuries to anyone inside the hospital as a result of the storm.

He adds the storm caused car window damage to vehicle parked outside the hospital.

Gauding says the hospital saw more than 70 people with conditions related to the tornado. He said the majority of the patients suffered only minor injuries and are exptected to be treated and released.

He does note there were some serious injuries; including a person with a head injury, another who suffered a chest injury, and a third person who suffered both.

Hinshelwood says the hospital remained operational throughout the duration of the storm.

Chesapeake Fire Chief Dan Fermil says five engine companies, a ladder company, three medic companies, an EMS supervisor, a Battalion Chief and one heavy squad were all on the scene in Suffolk to assist with care and rescue.

A tornado came ashore on Pier 2 at Naval Station Norfolk, according to spokesperson Terry Davis. She adds that the damage is "superficial," limited to a door, a copule of windows, a section of siding and a few fallen trees.

Davis adds no ships suffered damage.

Billie Jean Elmer, spokeswoman for Surry County, says that only one double-wide tailer in Beaver Dam Road, in the Clairemont section, suffered damage. Elmer says there were no injuries reported.

Video: Hospital, surrounding neighborhoods suffer tornado damage

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Witnesses tell Richmond television station WWBT that cars were overturned in the Southpark Mall area of Colonial Heights. A police dispatcher there hung up the phone Monday afternoon, saying authorities were too busy to talk.

Property damage also was reported in Brunswick County, one of several localities where the National Weather Service had issued a tornado warning. Sgt. Michelle Cotten of the Virginia State Police said a twister destroyed two homes. Trees and power lines were down, and some flooding was reported.

As of 11:00 p.m. Monday a total of nearly 5,400 people were still without power in Hampton Roads and surrounding areas.

A disaster assessment team from the Suffolk Chapter of the American Red Cross plans to survey the damage caused by the tornado Tuesday morning. Additionally, they plan to being relief operations, including clothing, lodging and food assistance.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

Closings/Openings:

Paul D. Camp Community College open Tuesday

Suffolk Public Schools will not hold classes Tuesday

Nansemond-Suffolk Academy will be closed Tuesday