Severe weather, including deadly tornado, causes damage and injuries in Louisiana, U.S.

At least one fatality and multiple injuries were confirmed after severe weather, including a possible tornado, ripped through Acadia Parish in Louisiana, U.S. on Sunday night, May 17, 2020.

A Church Point resident described the trail of destruction the twister left, saying, "[There is a] tree on the road [and] all these lines are gone. 18-wheeler flipped over on the backside trees, all in the pond."

"[I] took off running towards the shop, going the opposite way. It sounded like a freight train when it hit. Trailers upside down, cars upside down. People don’t have homes to go to, I can’t imagine. It’s pretty bad."

Another resident named Cathy Jo Furlow Moffitt took to social media to share a photo of a home hit by the apparent tornado. The residents– a woman and her children– were all inside but were fortunately unharmed. However, the family reportedly lost everything.

One person was killed after their mobile home was lifted and overturned onto a portion of Prudence Highway, just about 5 km (3 miles) northwest of Church Point. At least nine others were injured, with much of the havoc centered near Church Point.

Fire Chief Raymond Ledoux confirmed that injuries ranged from mild to serious. The Acadian Ambulance Service responded with multiple units to the affected area, the transported at least six people to a hospital. Damages were also reported to numerous homes.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has yet to confirm that the damage was caused by a tornado.

Tornado warnings continue for some areas in Louisiana as of May 18.

Featured image credit: Seth Richard