DANGEROUS and DEADLY WEATHER Hits New Iberia, Caddo Parish, Union Parish; River Parishes Impacted; Orleans, Saint Bernard, Jefferson Parishes Still Awaiting Impact Expected About 4:00-5:00 pm
From: The Weather Channel
A line of powerful storms moving across the South turned deadly in Louisiana after causing destruction in Texas and Oklahoma.
A woman and a young boy were killed when a tornado touched down in Louisiana's Caddo Parish south of Shreveport on Tuesday, according to the Sheriff's Office. Deputies went door to door after 20 to 30 homes were damaged in the community of Keithville, KTAL reports. Two people were taken to a hospital.
(​MORE: Track The Storms Here)
About 90 miles to the northeast, nearly 25 people were injured when a tornado struck the town of Farmerville, Louisiana, Tuesday evening. Rescuers continued to search late into the night.
Here are the latest updates:
(2:52 p.m. ET) New Iberia Mayor Describes Damage
New Iberia Mayor Freddie DeCourt described the damage in his city to The Daily Iberian.
The area around Southport Boulevard and Montagne Street "took the brunt of the damage. We have some flipped trailers and some apartment complexes with the roof off," DeCourt said.
He said a few people were trapped and the Police Department and Sheriff's Office worked together to free them.
"We were blessed that there doesn't seem to be too many major injuries," he said.
He also mentioned the damage at the Iberia Medical Center and said an Edward Jones financial office in Teche Ridge also had minor damage.
(​2:36 p.m. ET) New Iberia Hospital Details Extent Of Damage
The tornado that struck New Iberia, Louisiana, damaged part of the Iberia Medical Center Main Campus, a medical office building and some ancillary buildings and structures, according to a statement from the center.
Five people were treated in the ER and released, the statement said.
All entrances to the Main Campus are currently closed. Everyone is being asked to enter the Main Campus through the emergency entrance only.
(​2:10 p.m. ET) Louisiana Governor Declares State Of Emergency
L​ouisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards has declared a state of emergency because of the severe weather.
"I am heartbroken to learn of the mother and child who were killed in Southwest Caddo Parish due to one of numerous reported tornados," Edwards said in a statement. "My prayers go out to the family as well as those who were injured or lost their homes. I will be traveling to the Shreveport area and Union Parish today to tour the damage and response efforts. Unfortunately, this severe weather event is not yet out of our state as it now moves into Central and South Louisiana. Please stay weather aware and follow the directions of local officials."
(​1:46 p.m. ET) All Southport Residents Rescued
New Iberia Police Department Capt. Leland Lasiter said in a Facebook post that all the people trapped in their homes in the Southport subdivision have been rescued.
"So far, no fatalities have been reported, just injuries. These individuals are being treated at local hospitals," Lasiter said.
The area is still blocked off until law enforcement deems it safe, he said.
(​1:17 p.m. ET) 'Significant Damage' In New Iberia
Capt. Leland Lasiter with the New Iberia Police Department said in a Facebook post that a tornado touched down in the city.
"We do have significant damage in the Southport Boulevard subdivision off Admiral Doyle (Drive) and also on the other side of town near the Iberia Medical Center," Lasiter said. "The hospital has sustained an significant amount of damage as well."
H​e said rescue efforts are underway to free people trapped in their homes in the Southport subdivision.
A​ temporary shelter has been opened in the gym at New Iberia Senior High School, Lasiter said.
(​12:36 p.m. ET) Residents Trapped In New Iberia Homes
T​he New Iberia Police Department says several people were trapped in their homes in the Southport subdivision when a tornado touched down sometime after noon Wednesday. Several homes were damaged, according to a Facebook post from the department, and rescue efforts are underway.
S​ocial media posts also showed windows shattered at the Iberia Medical Center. A spokeswoman for the Police Department told KATC the medical center was damaged .
(​11:49 a.m. ET) Risk Of Severe Weather Increases
NOAA's Storm Prediction Center has increased the severe weather threat to a moderate risk today.
The upgrade is for the possibility that discrete supercell thunderstorms could produce strong, long-track tornadoes. Those tornadic storms are most likely to occur in southern Mississippi, southwest Alabama and southeast Louisiana beginning this afternoon.
A moderate risk is the second-highest severe storm threat level NOAA issues, so it's only seen on occasion throughout the year.
(​11:01 a.m. ET) Tornado In Caddo Parish Was EF2
T​he National Weather Service office in Shreveport, Louisiana, says a survey team has preliminarily designated the tornado that struck southern Caddo Parish as an EF2.