A tornado was reportedly spotted in Lacombe on Wednesday evening, just a week after another tornado touched down in that same part of the New Orleans area's north shore during a severe weather event.
Damage in Big Branch, LA. Our path is immediately blocked due to a live power line down. @wdsu @NWSNewOrleans pic.twitter.com/jvUG4XxKY5
— Lee Southwick (@LeeWDSU) March 31, 2022
The twister was first reported by TV news stations in metro New Orleans just before 8 p.m. At the time it was reported, WVUE Chief Meteorologist David Bernard said the tornado was moving to the northeast at about 50 mph.
A video from WDSU meteorologist Lee Southwick showed damage, fallen trees and downed power lines in the Big Branch area.
St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper said in a tweet that he was headed to the area to check on citizens after the reported tornado and urged residents to stay off the roads.
Local media have reported an observed tornado near Big Branch.
— St Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper (@PresMikeCooper) March 31, 2022
I’m headed to the area now to check on our citizens and community.
Please remain off the roads until the threat has left St Tammany.
The number of residents without power is estimated to be around 3,000, Cooper said. He added that they have received reports of tree damage, but none yet of structural damage.
Wednesday’s severe weather, which meteorologists said could produce EF2 tornadoes or stronger and has covered a large swatch of the southeast U.S., took place a week after more severe weather hit New Orleans last Tuesday.
During that event, two tornadoes touched down in the metro area. One was an EF3 and had peak winds of 160 mph, damaging homes in Arabi, injuring multiple residents and taking the life of one 25-year-old man.
The handful of blocks in St. Bernard Parish that were hit by the strong twister were still recovering from the storm as of Wednesday. That tornado traveled for 11 miles, starting in Jefferson Parish, moving through St. Bernard before lifting up in New Orleans East.
The second tornado to hit last week touched down near Lacombe. It was categorized as an EF1 and damaged a few properties in its 12-mile trek.