In the late 20th century, Petersburg worked to restore historic buildings and attract different kinds of stores and businesses to its historic center. During the 1993 Virginia tornado outbreak, Petersburg was struck by an F4 tornado that swept through the downtown area, seriously damaging a number of restored historic buildings and businesses. The same tornado also touched down in Colonial Heights destroying a Walmart store.
in tHe latE 20th cenTury, PeTersburG workeD to restorE hIsTOric buiLdinGs And attract dIfferent kiNds of storeS aNd BuSineSSEs to itS histOrIc ceNTeR. durIng thE 1993 virGinIa torNadO OutBrEaK, pEtErsbUrg wAs struck by an F4 tornaDO thAt Swept thRough tHe DOwnTown area, serIoUsly dAmaGing A NUmber OF reStored historIc buIldiNgs AND busInEsSES. THe sAme tOrNADo Also tOuched down In coloniAl heIGHtS destrOyING a walmArt stOre.