KENNER, La. — The National Weather Service in New Orleans confirmed that two tornadoes touched down in southeast Louisiana on Tuesday morning.
Forecasters say damage reported in Jefferson Parish south of the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport was determined to be from an EF-0 tornado with winds between 65 and 85 miles per hour. Kenner Mayor Ben Zahn said the tornado severely damaged the roof and air-conditioning units at the AP Clay Center on Decatur Street. Chunks of stucco from the roof were also visible in the playground nearby.
“We went outside and the playground debris was all over the playground. So it’s really bad,” Alicia Giles, an employee at the center, said.
The building is leased to Jefferson Parish and is used for the Head Start Program for children between three and four years old. The two-story building is brick and metal and includes eight combined classrooms and offices, a cafeteria, and play area.
In addition to wind damage, the mayor said there was up to an inch of water in the classroom and offices with damage to desks and other equipment.
“We have computers in every classroom and they were all damaged. The kids’ toys and furniture was destroyed,” Giles said.
“This is very significant damage, but it can be repaired,” Zahn said. “We are extremely fortunate that this didn’t occur while kids and staff members were in that building.”
The NWS confirmed a second, separate tornado also formed just before 3 a.m. near Madisonville. Forecasters say a waterspout likely spawned near the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain before moving onshore near Guste Island. The tornado then tracked across mainly uninhabited swampland.
The NWS said surveyed tree damage in the area indicates and EF-0 tornado with estimated wind speeds of 75 mph.
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