ARABI, La. — Drone video from Kellen Thompson Sr., showed devastating damage to homes and neighborhoods in Arabi, La., after a tornado ripped through the area Tuesday night.
The tornado, that seemed to start on the west bank of Jefferson Parish and then crossed the Mississippi River, slammed into the area of St. Bernard Parish, knocking out power, leaving one person dead and dozens of homes obliterated.
The drone video shows what is a typical tornado hopscotching pattern as far as some homes being completely gone, some having holes in rooftops and then other homes nearby that looked like they were barely harmed.
Several videos from viewers showed the large tornado ripping through Arabi. Images shared in its wake showed severe damage that included leveled homes, overturned cars and fields of debris.
St. Bernard Parish President Guy McInnis said that the person who died was in Arabi. Several videos from viewers showed the large tornado ripping through Arabi and videos in the aftermath showed severe damage that included leveled homes, overturned cars and fields of debris.
"We have widespread damage from south Arabi to north Arabi," he told Eyewitness News. "We’re going through homes, search and rescue and clearing homes. We have some homes in south Arabi that we’re trying to get to, we’re getting calls from people saying they’re trapped."
A man whose family hunkered down in Arabi and whose home had damage, described the situation as the storm came through.
"It was just the rain and we didn't hear anything change like a freight train and it just all of a sudden happened," he said. "My wife, my sister-in-law, my 10-month-old son and two dogs were all in one bathroom."
