Katrina-ravaged parts of New Orleans now recovering from violent tornado
Hundreds of New Orleans area residents sifted through debris Wednesday as recovery efforts ramped up after a ferocious tornado with winds up to 165 mph tore through the same area Hurricane Katrina ravaged 12 years ago.
Four tornadoes struck parts of southeastern Louisiana on Tuesday, injuring dozens. New Orleans East, home to the Katrina-devastated 9th Ward, suffered the greatest damage when the violent winds swept through, destroying homes and businesses, flipping cars and trucks and leaving thousands without power.
About 300 properties were damaged over the tornado's path of up to 2.5 miles, New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu said in a statement. He urged residents in the ravaged area to monitor ready.nola.gov for up to date information on resources.
The city opened a temporary shelter and the city Health Department, with assistance from the Red Cross, Catholic Charities and the city Fire Department, was providing basic medical care.
Amazingly, no deaths were reported, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said. Thirty-three people were injured, six of them with moderate to severe wounds, and 31 of them treated and discharged, Landrieu said.
Power was reported as of Thursday afternoon to 6,700 of the 10,400 structures impacted, Entergy reported. The utility said it expected to have all power restored in three to five days.
Broken wood, downed power lines and nails lay outside Charron Carmouche's house as a grim reminder of what happened hours before. "My sister and my little nephew were in the house, in the tub,” Carmouche said. “Somebody had to kick in the door to rescue them."
Kim Le said her backyard was "completely demolished.” At her parents' house, a neighbor's roof now sits on the top of their home. "My mom's bathroom is caved in because of the damage," she said.
Le's father, Francis, lived through Katrina but said he's never seen anything like this. Despite the damage to his home and lack of electricity, he plans on lighting candles and staying put.
"I've been living here about 20 years,” Le said. “I've never seen a tornado over here."
The National Weather Service sent survey teams Wednesday across Louisiana to determine the strength and paths of the twisters. The weather service said the New Orleans East tornado ranked as an EF-3, with winds of 136 to 165 mph.
Edwards issued a disaster declaration for the affected area, saying he was heartbroken to see those who endured Katrina suffering again, the Associated Press reported. He promised the state would provide the affected residents with the resources they need as quickly as possible. Landrieu also declared a state of emergency for the city of New Orleans.
Late Tuesday, President Trump tweeted: "Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone in southeastern Louisiana affected by today's severe tornadoes."
The severe weather brought heavy rain and hail to several southern states Tuesday. Tornadoes were also spotted in Mississippi but no injuries were reported, the Storm Prediction Center said.
Back in New Orleans East, resident Tara Fischer said the local highway looked like a battle zone after the tornado destroyed everything its path.
"I was very scared. And it's one of my biggest fears to be stuck in something like that," she said.
The destruction reminded many not only of Katrina's devastation to the area but also the determination to overcome the storm.
"We all went through Katrina so you just get on it and clean up and move forward," Fischer said.
"Next step is to rebuild, that's what we do in New Orleans," Gregory Brooks said. "We encounter disasters and we come back."
Contributing: WWL-TV, New Orleans