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Crime tape blocks access to the heavily-damaged Burnett's Mill neighborhood.

SUFFOLK, Va. – City officials know they're asking a lot, but they're asking for continued patience as inspectors and search teams look at damage caused by Monday's tornado.

There were no early estimates available.

"We are lucky, it could have been much worse," said Suffolk Mayor Linda Johnson said in a mid-morning news conference.

Governor Tim Kaine will tour the damaged area at 3:00 p.m. and will talk about state help for victims of Monday's tornadoes. He has declared a state of emergency for Suffolk, along with Colonial Heights and Brunswick County.

Suffolk City leaders were out before dawn getting a look for themselves and talking about recovery efforts.

“I’ve been surprised. I’ve been here 31 years and I’ve never seen anything like this,” said Suffolk Fire Chief Mark Outlaw said in a morning news conference.

Gas lines were damaged, water mains broke and power lines went down in several neighborhoods, causing outages throughout the evening.  Chief Outlaw said repairs had been made and all lines were secured.

He couldn’t answer with certainty the one question hundreds of residents have --- when can they get in to see their homes.

“We know citizens are anxious to get in to see their property and we’re anxious to get them in, but we have to make sure it's safe for them,” he stressed.  

Many of the buildings in this Suffolk neighborhood are in pieces.

More than three hours later, the chief said search teams and K-9s have all good news to report. "At the Burnett’s Mill subdivision, we've had positive outcomes. We're not finding anyone with injures or any fatalities," he said.

45 people stayed overnight at Kings Fork High School, the emergency shelter set up by the city. While some people are frustrated they can't get into their homes, they understand why.

Another woman said this is a wake-up call for her and many others to be kind and loving and be thankful to be alive.

The Red Cross provided clothing and food for them and Suffolk Social Services is providing counseling support.

At Suffolk Red Cross headquarters, volunteers are gearing up to go into the community and assess the need.

Governor Kaine declared a state of emergency for the areas struck by the twisters – Suffolk, Colonial Heights and Brunswick County. They crushed homes, tossed cars and injured more than 200 people.

Despite the damage caused by the tornado, Sentara Obici Hospital treated 70 people injured during the tornado.

Officials said only three people had to be admitted and none of the victims has life-threatening injuries.

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Windows at Sentara Obici Hospital were blown out and cars in the parking lot were tossed by the tornado.

As of 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, no public traffic is allowed into Burnett's Mill, Driver, Hillpoint Farms and the Applewoods subdivisions, according to city officials.

Ed Fancher has lived in Suffolk for four years. His home wasn't damaged, but many of his neighbors lost homes and vehicles. He said the tornado passed over as he and his 15-year-old son were leaving a Marine recruiting office.

"Just before we stepped out, someone yelled 'It’s coming.' I said, 'What’s coming' and they said 'tornado.' The guy said it’s right there behind us. So we squatted down in the doorway and immediately it hit. It went over the top of it. The ceiling was falling, the walls were caving in, metal was bending, everything was coming apart in pieces," Fancher recalled.

While the building was damaged, no one inside was hurt, he added.

Suffolk residents with questions can call the Suffolk Emergency Operations Center at 514-7587.

Navy families needing assistance because of the severe weather can call 1-800-FSC-LINE or 757-444-2102.

Operation Blessing, an outreach of Christian Broadcasting Network, has set up a mobile kitchen at the Open Door Church at 816 Kings Fork Rd., where the charity is preparing meals for at least 300 first responders ­ police, firemen and other emergency workers. OBI¹s efforts are being assisted with

15 U.S. Navy volunteers from the USS Newport News.

SUFFOLK ROAD CLOSINGS:

Kings Highway remains closed from Nansemond Parkway to Meade Drive.

Route 460 remains closed from betwen N. Main Street to Meade Parkway.

All road in the Burnetts Mill subdivision are open except for: Eagle Point Crescent, Elmington Way, Kristin Lane, Toddberry Court and Whitehall Arch.