Tornado Damages Homes Throughout The South: Storm Kills 3

ALEXANDRIA, LA — A tornado ripped through the South on Monday afternoon, killing three people and causing major damage in central Louisiana, particularly in the Alexandria area.

Forecasters issued a series of tornado warnings throughout Monday afternoon in several Southern states. A tornado watch was issued from east Texas through Louisiana into central Mississippi and southern Arkansas.

A woman was killed in Louisiana. A couple died in Alabama, where the injured included a 7-year-old child rushed to a Birmingham hospital.

A tornado emergency was declared in Alexandria, Louisiana.

LOUISIANA: Large and destructive tornado near Alexandria International Airport, moving northeast at 25 mph. TORNADO EMERGENCY for Alexandria. Take cover now! (Source: NWS) pic.twitter.com/MtgPC58zfw
— U.S. Emergency Alert (@ENSAlerts) December 16, 2019

Alexandria is home to about 47,000 people. A tornado emergency means there is a severe threat to human life and catastrophic damage is imminent or ongoing.

People in the storm's path have already begun sending in photos and videos of what the destructive winds are doing.

Lots of tornado damage in Alexandria. This is near my house https://t.co/qaW8M3CuRa via @YouTube
— Jake Owensby (@jakeowensby) December 16, 2019

Hope Baptist School... pic.twitter.com/GMRM5v92AJ
— Brian Emfinger (@brianemfinger) December 16, 2019

LARGE Tornado this afternoon near Rosepine, LA.
This storm would then move into the Alexandria, LA area.

Permission: Tommy and Heather Welch@WeatherBug - #MSwx #ALwx #LAwx #Severe #Louisiana pic.twitter.com/dwxpJonS9K
— Live Storm Chasers (@Livestormchaser) December 16, 2019

Not Good... Extensive damage after a very Large Tornado moved through the Alexandria, LA area!

Permission: Joanna. Clark @WeatherBug - #MSwx #ALwx #LAwx #Severe #Louisiana pic.twitter.com/8jbNNOI1LA
— Live Storm Chasers (@Livestormchaser) December 16, 2019

The National Weather Service also offers a list of guidelines for the best safety practices to deploy when a Tornado Warning is issued.

Best options

1. Above- or below-ground tornado storm shelter
2. Specifically designed FEMA Safe Room

Good options

1. Interior room or well-constructed building
2. Basement

Worst options

1. Mobile homes
2. Vehicles
3. Underneath a highway overpass