South Louisiana was devastated by a tornado, destroying homes and damaging power lines. The Governor of Louisiana John Bel Edwards has announced a state of emergency, according to the representative.

At least 3 tornado struck, one in Eastern New Orleans, the other near the town of Donaldsonville, and another in the city of Killian, said Danielle manning, a meteorologist for the National weather service.

The CBS affiliate WWL-TV in New Orleans reports that the national weather service reported that a dangerous tornado struck in New Orleans at 11:33 local time. Tornado is part of a larger system of weather, which covered Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama - more than 2.5 million people were in the path of the storm, reports CBS News.

New Orleans mayor Mitch Landrieu said there are initial reports of dozens of minor injuries and more serious injuries. The representative of the emergency medical services described the majority of the injured as "walking wounded" with minor cuts and scrapes. City officials say that about 10 thousand homes are without electricity and there are reports of a gas leak.

Police chief Michael Harrison urged people to stay off the roads and away from affected areas. Patrols go around the house behind the house, scouring the affected areas to verify that nobody is trapped from falling debris or other damage.

Local media showed images of some heavily damaged buildings in the Eastern part of New Orleans with power lines scattered across the road. At least seven houses were damaged, two of them completely destroyed, North-West of New Orleans, says brandi Janes, Deputy Director of emergency preparedness.

Authorities are working to clear trees from roads and clearing the way to the Red Cross to send aid to the damaged area, said Janes.
sections: Accidents, World News