Tornadoes Kill 2 in Louisiana, While Severe Storms Trigger Water Rescues in Mississippi

Ada Carr and Sean Breslin
Published: April 2,2017
At least two people were killed in Louisiana after an EF1 tornado touched down Sunday, and as the storms moved east, flooding forced officials to rescue some stranded residents in Mississippi.
The deaths occurred when a mobile home was flipped over and significantly damaged in the town of Breaux Bridge, according to the St. Martin Parish Sheriff's Office. The victims were identified as Francine Gotch and her 3-year-old daughter, Neville Alexander, who were inside at the time of the storm around 9:30 a.m.
(FORECAST: Tornado Threat for the South)
Eyewitnesses at the scene told KLFY.com that there were other injuries due to the twister. The storm whipped up 100 mph winds, according to the National Weather Service.
"It was a tragedy that could have been even worse," St. Martin Parish Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Maj. Ginny Higgins told USA Today. "We are very much on edge. I hate the spring because we always have these awful storms."
During a Sunday news conference, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards warned residents that they should be on "high alert" and that problems could last through the night.
"It is an extremely dangerous weather event," he added.
Near Winnsboro, Louisiana, one person was injured Sunday afternoon when a tree fell onto their vehicle. There were at least 15 structures damaged in the area, including two that were destroyed.
In Vicksburg, Mississippi, at least two people were rescued from floodwaters, according to an NWS report. In just 48 minutes Sunday night, 2.85 inches of rain fell in the city, which triggered the flash floods.
Several Louisiana towns also reported flooding; in Pollock, some 40 percent of streets were flooded, the NWS also said.
There were reports of damage on South MacArthur Drive near U.S. 165 in the Alexandria, Louisiana, area Sunday after a reported tornado was in the area, the Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office said.
 A roof was torn off a home, trees were downed and flying metal was reported in Alexandria Sunday, according to the NWS.
Nearly 6,000 were without power in Louisiana Sunday evening, according to Cleco.

Damaging Storms Hit Texas

The Lone Star State was also impacted by this round of severe weather. According to the Austin American-Statesman, strong winds uprooted large trees and caused structural damage along Austin's Lake Travis, and although no injuries were reported, residents were sent scrambling for safe shelter as the storms arrived.
"As soon as I got to the hallway, it was like a big explosion happened and all the windows shattered and the wood was flying and the roof peeled off, and I ran back into the bathroom and crawled into the shower," local resident Karen Rego told the American-Statesman. "When the noise stopped, I got up and like half of my house was gone."
A state trooper reported seeing a tornado in progress Sunday morning near Center Point, the Associated Press reported. There were no reports of major or structural damage.

Schools to Close Monday as Storms Approach Alabama

Several school districts in Alabama will be closed or dismiss students early Monday as the state prepares for the likelihood of damaging storms. WKRG.com reported schools in Clarke and Washington counties, as well as the city of Thomasville, will be closed Monday.
Numerous other school districts will send students home early Monday, according to WTVY.com.

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