One dead, widespread damage reported across New Orleans Metro after confirmed tornado
A tornado touched down in New Orleans and its suburbs as part of a line of severe weather slammed the area on Tuesday.
The St. Bernard Parish Sheriff confirmed one person was killed in Arabi during the tornado. No details were given on how the person died, but multiple other people were said to have been injured.
Videos sent to WDSU show damage in the New Orleans area after the storm touched down.
Three tornadoes were confirmed in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans, Arabi in St. Bernard Parish, and in Lacombe in St. Tammany Parish.
St. Bernard Parish does not have power, and according to Parish President Guy McGinnis, several homes were destroyed by the storm.
Photos: Widespread damage in Arabi, Lower Ninth Ward after tornado
Officials are asking people to stay home and stay inside if they are safe as crews work to assess damage.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell issued the following statement after the storm:
"A tornado touched down this evening in the Lower Ninth Ward and New Orleans East communities shortly before 8 p.m. CST. The New Orleans Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness has activated the Emergency Operations Center in response to the tornado. As of now there have been no reports of casualties or significant damage to Orleans Parish," said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. "Our partners at Entergy are working to restore power to the 8,000 customers impacted. Residents should avoid all travel that isn't essential, to provide an opportunity for the professionals to handle this situation."
"The Sanitation, Parks and Parkways and Public Works Departments will be on the ground at first light clearing right of ways and assessing damage to the neighborhoods impacted. Debris contractors have also been notified to stand ready to mobilize if needed. I am also in contact with St. Bernard Parish President Guy McInnis, and the New Orleans Police, Fire and EMS Departments have begun staging in St. Bernard Parish to assist our neighbors with help in any way possible."
"We will provide more details as damages are assessed, and we implore New Orleans residents to remain patient and vigilant and allow both our brave public service teams and the Entergy technicians to do their jobs unimpeded."
The Lower Ninth Ward was pummeled by Hurricane Katrina 17 years ago.
McGinnis held a news conference at 10 p.m. where he urged residents to stay home and asked people not to travel.
For more resources for tornado victims, click here.
The damage comes after other tornadoes spawned by the same storm system hit parts of Texas and Oklahoma.