The tornadoes that struck southeastern Louisiana – one of which did major damage to communities in New Orleans – on Tuesday injured about 20 people, destroyed homes and businesses, flipped cars and trucks, and left about 10,000 customers without power, but no deaths were reported, the governor said.
Governor John Bel Edwards took an aerial tour and made a disaster declaration before meeting with officials in New Orleans. The worst damage was in the same area that was so heavily flooded in Hurricane Katrina.
Edwards said he was heartbroken to see some of the same people suffering again, and promised that the state will provide the affected citizens with the resources they need as quickly as possible.
He said seven parishes were hit by tornadoes in an afternoon of tumultuous weather across southeastern Louisiana.
Edwards said he called in the Louisiana National Guard to police and secure the area, and urged people to stay away. Officials are searching houses to make sure people aren’t trapped in debris.
The storm ripped apart homes, toppled a gas station canopy, snapped tall power poles and flipped a food truck upside down. It left shards of metal hanging from trees, and trapped a truck driver as power lines wrapped around his cab.
A resident lost everything to Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Now she's lost everything again: Three-quarters of her home in eastern New Orleans collapsed.
Press Secretary Sean Spicer said the White House was monitoring the weather's impact, and that President Donald Trump would be reaching out to local and state officials.
Celebrities Extend Their Support
Many have sent out prayers and heartfelt messages for the people affected by the tornado.
Famous talk show host Ellen DeGeneres tweeted out her support.
TV show Suits actor Wendell Pierce and popular Snapchat celebrity DJ Khaled sent out a word of encouragement for the affected people.
(With inputs from AP)
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