At least two people have died, several have been hospitalized, and multiple homes and businesses have been destroyed after severe storms in parts of the Gulf Coast.
Jose Higareda, 28, was killed in Palmetto, Louisiana, where a tornado destroyed at least six homes and two trailers Saturday morning, CBS News partner KSLA-TV reports. The National Weather Service confirmed that an EF3 tornado with estimated peak winds of 140 mph had hit the area.
The president of St. Landry Parish, Jessie Bellard, said seven others have been injured, five of whom have been released from hospital and are on their way home.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the families affected by this storm,” Bellard said in a press release. “We do everything we can to help those families.”
Layne Herpin from St. Landry Parish Government.
In Shreveport, Louisiana, a 48-year-old man was killed on Friday after a tree fell on his mobile home, where strong winds had been reported in the area at the time, according to the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office. The city was under a river flood warning as of Saturday night, and residents were advised not to drive vehicles through flooded areas or along river banks.
Flood, hail and thunderstorm warnings have also been issued in parts of Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas and Mississippi, affecting nearly 6 million residents.
Tens of thousands in the region have also reported power outages since Friday night.
“It’ll be a while before they get it back,” Bellard said. He said power companies in St. Landry Parish are currently repairing outages and clearing debris.
According to the National Weather Service, conditions in northwestern and west-central Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma are expected to improve by early Saturday evening.