The National Weather Service has confirmed it was an EF 3 tornado that started in DeRidder and skipped along to Alexandria on Monday with winds between 140 and 160 miles per hour.
Governor John Bel Edwards toured the storm damage in Rapides Parish on Tuesday. Edwards says preliminary damage assessments have begun for both public and private assistance.
“Certain thresholds have to be met before assistance is available. I am not yet able to tell you with any certainty at all whether they will be met,” said Edwards.
Tornado damage is widespread throughout Beauregard, Vernon and Rapides Parishes. 59-year-old Betty Patin died when an apparent tornado hit her mobile home in Vernon Parish.
“Most of the damage is here in Rapides Parish where about 100 homes have been impacted. Ten practically destroyed. Another forty, very very seriously destroyed,” said Edwards.
Edwards says the casualties could have been worse. The tornado ripped off the roof at Hope Christian Academy in Alexandria, but Edwards says school leaders acted quickly.
“Students were taken from the school to the main sanctuary and then actually were instructed to get under the pews for their protection. There was only one minor injury,” said Edwards.
The National Weather Service says there were at least 18 tornado pats in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama as a result of Monday’s severe weather.
