A State of Emergency has been declared in Louisiana by Governor John Bel Edwards, as more news comes in about the horrific weather events in the state today.
Tornadoes have touched down in New Orleans and vicinity wreaking havoc, including injuries, across the area and the state. As of this writing, a tornado watch remains in effect for South Louisiana. Homes, buildings, and highways saw damage across a wide swath of the Bayou State, with some areas still vulnerable to tornadic activity.
The Advocate has
mapped out the tornado touchdowns, with nine confirmed tornadoes and one possible tornado in Baton Rouge.
Confirmed tornadoes have touched down in:
Orleans East
Old Jefferson
Ponchatoula
Madisonville
Killian
Donaldsonville
Lutcher
Lemannville
and
West of Independence
Mayor Mitch Landrieu held a press conference about the tornado damage in New Orleans East, and
tweeted that he knew that despite major damage, the city would rebuild.
Early this afternoon two people were reported to have suffered serious injuries and about a dozen others minor injuries, according to
Fox 8.
However, later today, Weather.com
reported:
"One of the hardest-hit areas was New Orleans East. Shortly after the supercell passed through, severe damage to homes and businesses was reported by local media. Emergency managers reported at least 60 homes and businesses were damaged in New Orleans East, and about 25 people were hurt." The Weather Channel reported at 4:30 CT that more than 50 homes have been destroyed so far
and 11 people injured. Following a preliminary survey, the National Weather Service said the twister was at least
EF2 in strength, meaning it can have wind speeds between 111 and 135 mph, and while serious, is typically survivable if one is in a sturdy home. Mobile homes can be wholly lifted off the ground, though.
New Orleans Fire Department Chief Tim McConnell said the worst of the damage on Chef Menteur Hwy is in the 4700 block, Fox 8 reported.
Ironically, almost 10 years to the day, a tornado
ripped through the Carrollton section of the Big Easy (see photo).
On the NOLA.gov website, the city issued this release:
"Today, at 10:45 a.m., the National Weather Service confirmed a tornado touched down in New Orleans East. Emergency crews are currently responding to several reports of damage in the affected area. As a result, Interstate 10 exits at both Chef Menteur Highway and Downman Road are CLOSED at this time.
No information is available at this time regarding possible injuries, fatalities or damage assessments in relation to this weather event. Public safety is our top priority, and residents are advised to be aware of and cautious around downed power lines, gas leaks and other debris. Please avoid all impacted areas.
The City will open a temporary shelter at Joe W. Brown Recreation Center (5601 Read Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70127) at 3 p.m. for impacted residents. The New Orleans Health Department, with support from the Red Cross, Catholic Charities and NOFD, will assist affected individuals. The Regional Transit Authority (RTA) will provide bus transportation to the shelter for affected individuals at the intersections of Dwyer Road and Wilson Avenue; Dwyer Road and Crowder Boulevard; and Dwyer Road and Wright Road.
Currently, the New Orleans Fire Department is conducting a primary search of damaged homes from Chef Menteur Highway to Dwyer Street and Wilson Avenue to Bullard Avenue, as well as one block south of Chef Menteur Highway."
Energy provider Entergy, who stepped up to the plate after Katrina, reports approximately 9,200 outages, according to the City of New Orleans. The situation is fluid, though, so do check the company's website. They have interactive
maps showing where the outages are.
Louisiana residents should stay tuned to local news and keep their phones and radios at the ready. NOLA.gov advises, "The City’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is monitoring weather conditions and will keep residents updated through e-mail alerts and at
@NOLAReady."
UPDATE, 5:30 pm CT: NBC News reports that at least a dozen people have been injured.
PHOTO: Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons Images: by Infrogmation - Own work, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1673259, CARROLLTON, NEW ORLEANS TORNADO, FEB 13, 2007
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