KENNER, La. — Tropical storm strength winds blew through the metro New Orleans area late Thursday night into early Friday morning, knocking out power to tens of thousands of customers in Jefferson Parish, Tangiphahoa and the Slidell area.
There were other power outages in Destrehan, Laplace and some parts of Orleans with Entergy uncertain as to when power would be restored. A couple of major transmission lines were down that feed the Kenner area, according to Jefferson Parish Councilman Scott Walker.
Several schools were closed in Jefferson Parish and schools in St. John the Baptist Parish were virtual due to a lack of power.
WWL Louisiana Meteorologist Payton Malone said a weather phenomenon known as a "bookend vortex" caused a high gust of 84 miles per hour near Armstrong Airport and some sustained gusts in the 50s and 60s. Tropical Storm winds are above 35 miles per hour.
Several WWL Louisiana viewers captured video of the howling winds.
What may be worse is the forecast is for more of the same Friday night and into midday Saturday with a chance of severe weather, high winds and flooding rains.
Winds in Kenner that registered nearly 70 mph
Winds in Estelle - Video Jaiden Plama
High winds in Slidell near Old Spanish Trail: Video: Joseph Loetzerich
Trees down in Metairie - Nigell Moses
Tree snapped in Kenner – Zach Zablo
Tree down in Bridge City – Mechell Durell
Tree down in Avondale - Wayne Dykes
Winds snap large tree in Audubon Park - Keith Esparros
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