The powerful storm system that moved through Louisiana has claimed three lives. The Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office says two people died in the Haughton area when a tornado early Saturday morning moved a home 200 feet away from its foundation, killing the two people inside. The elderly couple who died have been identified as 79-year-old Jerry Franks and 65-year-old Mark Franks. The sheriff’s office estimates the twister had winds of 135 miles per hour. Three dogs lives inside the home, one of them is dead, another is unaccounted for, but a German Shepherd was found alive in the ruble and taken to the vet for treatment.
A preliminary report says at least 50 homes damaged in the area. Part of the roof was blown off Benton Middle School causing major damage to the sixth-grad wing. Teachers and volunteers spent Saturday trying to clean up some of the classrooms and saving books that sustained water damage. Classes at Benton Middle School are cancelled for Monday and donations are being accepted so the teachers can buy new supplies.
Another death occurred in Caddo Parish. Authorities say a large tree fell on a home in Oil City killing 75-year-old Raymond Holden. His wife was not injured.
Governor John Bel Edwards planned to visit the tornado damage on Saturday, but weather conditions did allow him to make the trip from Baton Rouge.
(Photo courtesy of the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s office.)
