Bassett, VA – Residents in Henry County are remembering a rare but dangerous weather event that struck their community 12 years ago. On September 14, 2013, a dust devil—a short-lived whirlwind caused by ground heating—lifted multiple canopy tents into the air at an outdoor gathering in Bassett.
According to the National Weather Service in Blacksburg, the tents had been properly secured when the whirlwind formed. The sudden force carried them into the air before dropping them into a crowd of people. Six attendees sustained minor injuries, with one person requiring hospitalization.
Dust devils are usually harmless, often seen as brief whirlwinds of dust or leaves on hot, dry days. However, meteorologists note that under the right conditions, they can become powerful enough to cause damage and injuries, as demonstrated in Henry County.
The Blacksburg Weather Service highlighted the incident on Monday as part of a historical weather reminder. Officials encourage residents to remain aware of sudden wind events during outdoor activities, particularly when using tents or lightweight structures.
The 2013 Bassett dust devil remains one of the most unusual and memorable weather incidents in recent Henry County history.
