Tornado reportedly hits Louisiana town; one killed
RAYNE, La. — A tornado reportedly damaged more than 100 homes in southwest Louisiana Saturday, killing one woman, authorities said.
Witnesses reported seeing houses completely ripped from their foundations. Eleven people were reported injured.
The 21-year-old woman was killed when a tree fell on her house, said Maxine Trahan, a spokeswoman for the Acadia Parish sheriff. Debris was littered throughout Rayne, the town of about 8,500 people, after a line of violent thunderstorms moved through the area and left behind a swath of damage about a quarter of a mile wide to three miles long.
About 1,500 people were evacuated because of natural gas leaks.
Pieces of homes were strewn about the tops of trees and power lines were down.
The system that hit Rayne quickly moved east and drenched New Orleans, where several Mardi Gras parades either were delayed, started earlier or canceled because of the severe weather.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
