$187,904Average Value$113Average Price per Sq Ft2Homes For Sale
Tornado is a scenic river community with easy access to Charleston
Set along the Coal River in western Kanawha County, Tornado is a small community known for its scenic countryside lifestyle. Alternatively called Upper Falls, because of its location near the river’s rapids, the area is one of the region’s top spots for recreation, with water sports, golf and dirt biking among the popular activities. Shopping and dining are limited here, but popular stores and restaurants are a short drive away. With Saint Albans nearby and Charleston just a bit further down the road, Tornado stays connected to the metro area while maintaining its quiet, peaceful setting.
Tornado is characterized by peaceful residential communities set against a backdrop of the Appalachian Mountains.
You can find homes along the Coal River with views of the surrounding Appalachian landscape.
The Coal River offers stunning views characterized by its natural beauty and serene environment.
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Home styles, lot sizes and prices in rural Kanawha County
Most of the residential parts of Tornado are flat stretches of land near the river, where homes sit close together, giving the area a neighborhood feel. Ranch-style houses, cottages and Colonial Revivals are common. Heading out from the center of the community, you’ll find some larger, hilly properties that contribute to the area’s median lot size of over an acre. If you’re looking at a fixer-upper, you should expect to pay between the lower $30,000s and the lower $90,000s. Move-in ready homes typically cost between the lower $100,000s and the upper $200,000s.
Tornado has many affordable well-maintained ranch-style homes along its streets.
Split-level homes are common along the streets.
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Kayaking, fishing, trails and golf draw people to the outdoors
Tornado has a reputation as a hub for outdoor fun. “It’s become that way in the past 15 years,” says Jeff Hutchinson, executive director of the Kanawha County Parks and Recreation Commission. “We’ve had the golf course down there since ’86 when the park acquired it, but the Coal River is really developed. They do a lot of kayaking and a lot of fishing on the river now.” In addition to kayaking, other popular activities include:
Fishing in the 8-acre lake at Meadowood Park
Hiking one of the six trails throughout the park
Golfing at the public, par-71 Big Bend Golf Course
Dirt biking or riding e-bikes at the Hatfield-McCoy Trails
Residents can watch the sunset over the Appalachian Mountains.
Bikers find beautiful views of the Coal River while riding through Meadowbook Park.
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Local nonprofit promotes river recreation and community gatherings
The Coal River Group is a local nonprofit dedicated to preserving the waterway and building community through recreation. The group has a visitors’ center in Meadowood Park that offers kayak rentals, plus maps and brochures to help people make the most of their visit. They also host events like the annual Tour De Coal in June, the largest flatwater paddling event in the U.S. Thousands of people join to paddle the 11-mile stretch of river from Tornado to Saint Albans.
The Coal River Group offers kayak rentals and brochures detailing spots to paddle on the river.
Big Bend Golf Course is a popular public course just outside of Charleston.
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Shopping and dining options are a short drive from Tornado
There is little commercial activity within Tornado, but you don’t have to go far for popular shops or restaurants. “You can get to shopping out on Corridor G, which is in South Charleston, from there pretty easily,” says Christina Pepper, a sales associate at Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Professional Realty with nearly 20 years of experience. The large shopping centers along this highway are about 11 miles away and include stores like Walmart, Sam’s Club, Target and Kohl’s. Saint Albans is just north of Tornado and has a Kroger, as well as local favorites like Coal River Coffee Company and Old Main Café. Closer to home, you can shop at Dollar General or stop in at D&I Carryout for groceries and bologna sandwiches.
Local schools include highly rated options and career academies
Students in Tornado are served by Kanawha County Schools, and they can attend the highly rated Andrews Heights Elementary School and Saint Albans High School. The high school is home to the county’s Hospitality and Tourism Academy, which features classes in lodging management, culinary arts and hospitality marketing. The district also has magnet programs, and West Virginia allows open enrollment for students.
Andrews Heights Elementary School is located in Tornado and is part of the Kanawha County School District.
Hayes Middle School serves approximately 490 students in the area.
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How close Tornado is to Charleston, jobs and health care
Tornado has a rural setting, but it’s not too far from nearby cities, jobs or health care. Some driving distances to notable spots include:
7 miles to Saint Albans via Coal River Road
8 miles to Thomas Memorial Hospital in South Charleston via Smith Creek Road
14 miles to Downtown Charleston via Smith Creek Road and Interstate 64
16 miles to the West Virginia State Capitol via Smith Creek Road and Interstate 64
What to know about flood zones and insurance needs
Because Tornado is a low-lying area next to the river, many homes are in designated flood zones that require insurance. Flash flooding can happen quickly, so it’s important to monitor local news sources during heavy rain and to develop a household plan in case of emergency.
Meadowbrook Park in Tornado, WV, is a popular spot for outdoor recreation, including fishing.
The Coal River flows through Tornado, posing a flood risk to much of the area.
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Written By
Matthew Atkins
Photography Contributed By
Anna Cheng
Video By
Joshua Kassabian
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Debra Peters,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Tornado, WV sell after 24 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in Tornado, WV over the last 12 months is $186,625, down 16% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to country living in this breathtaking 5-bedroom, 3.5 bath sprawling estate featuring beautiful mountaintop views, a semi-wrap around porch, a brand new heated inground pool, a 3-car garage, ample storage throughout, 3+acres with plenty of useable ground, multiple outbuildings, a dynamite finished basement and a primary suite on main level. A large flex room on the main level leading to
Jesse DolinBerkshire Hathaway Home Services Professional Real
First time on the market & move in ready!!! 2 homes/3 lots + 3 + garage. Main home=2 bedrooms, 1 bath. 2nd home=3-bedroom, 1 bath. Fresh paint, new flooring. 2nd kitchen in "Other" entry way measurement in "Other". In measurements Utility is the sunroom.
A solid, spacious home full of potential! This property features ample living space and a layout ready for your vision. While it needs some TLC, it presents an excellent opportunity at the list price for buyers looking to customize and add value.
Marie McDavidBetter Homes and Gardens Real Estate Central
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
