At least 3 dead as storms, tornadoes rip through Gulf states

Destroyed trailers and vehicles are all that remain of the Sugar Hill RV Park after a suspected tornado hit in Convent, La., Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016.

Southern Louisiana, including New Orleans, was forecast to be hit hard and schools in about a dozen parishes canceled classes or closed for the day.

He added that it was a “minor miracle” that the death toll was not higher as most of the trailers had been occupied when the storms hit.

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for the entire Charlotte region until 7 p.m. Wednesday and a tornado warning until 12:30 p.m. for Alexander, Catawba, Iredell and Lincoln counties.

Forecasters said at least 20 million people are at risk from the storms and tornadoes today. Cody Creed identified the victim as 73-year-old Harris Dale Purvis, who died as a result of blunt-force trauma.

According to reports, two people died at a trailer park in Convent, southern Louisiana, where 90% of the homes were destroyed.

Residents reported funnel clouds and officials issued tornado warnings near the New Orleans airport and in nearby St. Charles Parish around noon local time, according to WWL-TV.

Governors in both Louisiana and MS declared states of emergency. Gusts of wind will get as high as 40 miles per hour with clouds present until tomorrow.

The National Weather Service said new rain on already saturated soil could cause roads to flood, as well as low-lying areas and small streams.

It was part of a line of severe weather passing through Southeast Louisiana.

The storm even affected the National Weather Service with lightning destroying its radar in their office in Slidell, Louisiana.

Three buildings were heavily damaged, and there were reports of six people injured in Escambia County, Amanda Taft of the county’s Emergency Management agency said. Meteorologist Steve Miller said the service has had many reports of property damage and people injured.

Forecaster Robert Ricks says one of the paths takes a possible tornado over the western part of LaPlace, where as many as 200 homes were damaged late Tuesday afternoon.

Smith said he heard the storm approaching and ran to the bathroom. By Wednesday afternoon, the threat shifts to the Eastern United States, particularly the Carolinas, where strong tornadoes are possible. “For the type of severe weather we were expecting, those storms need to be isolated”.

Graham said teams will be sent out in the morning to document the damage and rate the tornadoes.