At least 31 people were injured Tuesday in Louisiana when as many as seven tornadoes touched down in the state, prompting a declaration of a state of emergency. The tornadoes hit New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Donaldsonville, Ponchatoula, and Killian. New Orleans East sustained serious destruction on Chef Menteur Highway, and Mayor Mitch Landrieu said there was “devastating” damage. “Tornadoes are unbelievably powerful,” Landrieu said. “They are as destructive as anything we have seen in this city... really scary.” About 9,400 Orleans Parish residents lost power during the storm and did not expect to have it restored for as long as five days.
