Incredible drone video shows tornado's path, aftermath

Drone video from Kellen Thompson Sr., showed devastating damage to homes and neighborhoods in Arabi, La., after a tornado ripped through the area Tuesday night.
The tornado, that seemed to start on the west bank of Jefferson Parish and then crossed the Mississippi River, slammed into the area of St. Bernard Parish, knocking out power, leaving one person dead and dozens of homes obliterated.
The drone video shows what is a typical tornado hopscotching pattern as far as some homes being completely gone, some having holes in rooftops and then other homes nearby that looked like they were barely harmed.
Several videos from viewers showed the large tornado ripping through Arabi. Images shared in its wake showed severe damage that included leveled homes, overturned cars and fields of debris.
St. Bernard Parish President Guy McInnis said that the person who died was in Arabi. Several videos from viewers showed the large tornado ripping through Arabi and videos in the aftermath showed severe damage that included leveled homes, overturned cars and fields of debris.
"We have widespread damage from south Arabi to north Arabi," he told Eyewitness News. "We’re going through homes, search and rescue and clearing homes. We have some homes in south Arabi that we’re trying to get to, we’re getting calls from people saying they’re trapped."
A man whose family hunkered down in Arabi and whose home had damage, described the situation as the storm came through.
"It was just the rain and we didn't hear anything change like a freight train and it just all of a sudden happened," he said. "My wife, my sister-in-law, my 10-month-old son and two dogs were all in one bathroom."

[@candysmith8724]

🙏Praying for our LA neighbors from Texas

[@jerrilyncarnesi3742]

I am from Arabi Louisiana and this is unbelievable. God bless

[@sethcourtemanche5738]

Did your house get hit?

[@Exodoi]

The New Orleans area can never catch break.

[@sethcourtemanche5738]

No it cannot

[@joyhayhurst4486]

Praying that there are no more fatalities, it looks really bad based on this footage.

[@DDee-oi6kn]

Boy if that water tower had been hit - that wouldn't have been good. Tornados are such weird events - one house perfect, the next pad wiped clean. I've witnessed damage up close before - it's truly amazing to see.

[@digitalchic15]

Hell on earth ..that house where the young man age 20 was inside his car that was picked up and wrapped around that tree less than 200 feet from his house..that's some final destination type shyt. Sad as hell. I dint know him and I almost cried. Then I realized he's safe in God's embrace now 🕊️ I can't stop looking at his vehicle stuck on that tree. I read that most people die within 5 miles of where they live. I've watched this over and over not this news reports bit that 5 miles thing. Usually it's a car accident. I know if a woman where I lived in Denver Colorado she died in a car accident in the neighborhood right down the street from where she lived. Then an 18 yr old came home late night crashed on a hill that was literally overlooking his home , he was almost home and died. That gave me chills. He died and his house was down the hill where he crashed. All I'm saying tomorrow is not promised. God is real. Choose to do good not evil. Stop hating, stop being racist, stop gossiping, fighting, just stop!!! We're all going to die! Live good while you're here. 🙏🏾💜🙏🏾

[@johannedillworth7413]

Thank you for your compassion. In short supply now. Rip young dude

[@MD-zm6sn]

@Steven Nickholdson Edgy boy here never grew out of that phase and still wears fedoras.

[@HellcatMad]

Prayers for strength for those affected

[@patforet7336]

This will be interesting as Ins. companys have yet to pay off policy holders from hurricane Ida 6 mos later.

[@marciayoung1094]

Now why doesn't that surprise me.

[@helderalmeida3417]

I don't think it's the winds that kills people but the debri that comes with the wind. Most USA houses are just made of wood, especial in the countryside and small towns.

[@tiffanyritter9468]

Wow!! Those are some beautiful homes too!! 😢

[@zardozmania]

Terrible. Losing everything in an instant.

[@jeff3696]

ALOT of PRAYERS FOR OUR PEOPLE 60 miles to the west right now.

[@3DPDK]

I pray for the families that suffered injury or worse. One thing to note is these images are of a fairly wealthy neighborhood. (swimming pools, $150,000 RVs, etc) The insured levels for homes and property drastically increased in the area after Katrina, meaning people increased their home owner's insurance coverage and plugged the non-payment loop holes. People have lost their homes, and that is emotionally devastating no matter how wealthy you are, but the insurance companies will foot the bill to rebuild.

[@johannedillworth7413]

Most of the people I talked to with severe IDA damage were low balled in the estimate once they got the ins to agree to pay.

[@TheWestlandgirl]

How can you stay in a bathroom or basement when the whole house is gone down to the foundation?

[@digitalchic15]

Seriously someone needs to pay attention..what are the experts saying about these tornados hitting more at night? If anyone finds the answer please message me

[@annabobanaasmr8411]

I mean the storm had been going since 1pm in Texas. I'm fairly certain late afternoon storms are more common due to some form of cap over the lower atmosphere being dissipated. I forget what the term is though.

[@danstrayer111]

@Esau Edom S T O P

[@digitalchic15]

Forgot to mention you all notice how a lot of these tornados are happening at night while people are asleep? That part town that got it late last year or earlier this year also was hot by tornado at night while they were also asleep..and there are others . What's really going on??

[@rocketmann8333]

Look Up "Suspicious Observers". Read Luke, Mathew and Revalation in the Bible. Look at the Geopolitical disasters unfolding, Look at the Pandemic ~ (more to follow)... The entirity of all you see is in travail. Things will get worse. Wake up and prepare your heart and mind. Seek the Truth and you will find it. Jesus is the only hope this world has. Take care.

[@marciayoung1094]

You think they might be playing with our weather ? I ask because it just seems like a lot is going on lately.

[@scottperry8354]

You know what's going on. It's just a matter of time before "they" find you. You've said too much you fool. You're dead!

[@23Josilee]

I'm 80, and for as long as I can remember, they mostly hit at night...I've never been in one's path, but close...people losing everything they owned and many have lost their lives. It's a terrible experience. Texas native here.

[@roberthoffhines5419]

The nighttime tornadoes are a thing in the winter months in the deep south (LA, MS, AL, GA) more than in the midwest where they are usually afternoon events. We are seeing more in the "2nd season" (November) up north is about the last 10 years. used to be almost exclusively in spring

[@jessicalucero3271]

Notice how the houses on stilts received the least amount of damage? Those power gusts definitely need somewhere to pass through.

[@deegingerkid]

Looks like Ef2 to Ef3 damage in a few spots. Wow. Aside from the one confirmed fatality, hope there are no more.

[@sethcourtemanche5738]

The radar was reading EF4 winds

[@deegingerkid]

@@sethcourtemanche5738 - that doesn't matter. The damage assessment is what decides the strength. For example: The El Reno, OK tor from 5/31/13 had radar indicated winds of high-end EF4 strength, but the only building damage that was found in its rural path was EF2. Hence the final rating. Unless the EF scale is updated to be determined from radar measured winds, this won't change. There have been discussions in the weather community about using radar data in the future, but that's not current reality.

[@Douglas_I]

It's really hard to understand why the rating system is the way it is. The El Reno tornado was over a mile wide but rated an ef3. If all you knew was it was an ef3 and didn't actually see it in videos or pictures you would think it wasn't as big of a deal as people were making it seem. It was massive though! In my opinion the enhanced fujita scale is pretty much useless! It may even cause more problems then it helps. For example, if people hear a storm is coming that is capable of producing up to ef3 tornados they may not take it as seriously as they should. Then here comes this 1+ mile wide tornado they can't even see the sides of and now they don't have time to get out of the way. Had they known a storm capable of producing ef4 or ef5 tornadoes was coming they would likely prepare better. I don't know, maybe I don't understand the system perfectly though. Anyway, I hope there are no more fatalities!

[@992ras]

@@sethcourtemanche5738 their saying it was a ef3 but still we normally don’t get that powerful of tornados down hear ef2 normally being the max

[@jacob45415]

@@992ras preliminary

[@jessestovall9919]

God bless them all

[@mslashay35]

God bless them. Condolences to the young man who died. God bless my hometown (NOLA) and surrounding areas recover!

[@1M005E1]

Now that's what you would call a hit & a miss. Condolences to all the loved ones who lost a family member, pets, & friends.

[@wrongplanet1957]

Why? Cause I see the same places get the same exact tornadoes in patterns broken decades patterns but they repeat

[@Natijungle513]

Definitely EF3 damage.. those cars looked tossed

[@rebeccascott9417]

I love New Orleans but this is too much...I would have to move. Katrina was horrible and this tells me never to live in that area. Fond memories of New Orleans are gone. God help everyone .

[@eltorocal]

Equipment used to collect and edit your (RAW) footage?

[@tylerwickwire1522]

Damn tornados are picky. Hope everyone is ok

[@peterwinkler2162]

This is in Arabi Louisiana. Benjamin Rose Center streets

[@tamijapink6671]

That one heck of a path.

[@michaelthompson9119]

Look like that tornado cherry picked...🤔

[@protonneutron9046]

The saddest part of this is yet to come. Instead of rebuilding tornado proof houses that actually are CHEAPER to own they will build more temporary death traps that end up costing more. smh

[@marshared]

So sad.

[@geraldspud36]

Where is this?

[@raslim1142]

New Orleans

[@deegingerkid]

Lower 9th Ward, New Orleans East. Same place decimated by flooding from Katrina after the levees failed.

[@keeppushingtruth2356]

This is Arabi in St. Bernard Parish. Right outside of New Orleans.

[@makeitmakesense2616]

@@deegingerkid this is actually St Bernard Parish next to New Orleans New Orleans has damage but nothing like this

[@deegingerkid]

@@makeitmakesense2616 - thank you for the correction. This is what I heard on the news, so they were wrong, I guess. Have you heard of any fatalities beyond the one reported soon after the tor last night?

[@david9192]

Why don't you have the area where this took place

[@TheWestlandgirl]

Arabic, Louisiana

[@darensmith6705]

Get a NOAA weather radio. Best investment I ever made. Set the alarm mode and go to sleep! Trust me it is very, very loud! I bought mine years ago. $20.00 at that time! Low Tech battery run device but very effective! Just do it!

[@ramthian]

Good 👍 thanks

[@FrankHeuvelman]

I already thought that Arabia had something to do with it.

[@LanakilaMiller]

Is somebody who actually builds custom homes for the past 25 years in our family business of 50 years, I’m just curious why they don’t build sturdier homes in areas that get hurricanes and tornadoes? Do you know there’s a history of it and climate change is only getting worse so every time one happens it’s more devastating. Is it cheaper to be out of a house and possessions to live in a hotel or a vehicle until your house can be rebuilt or is it cheaper to build your house right the first time?

[@james396]

Shitty take. Kind of like victim blaming. It’s actually not that significant a difference, unless you’re talking reinforced concrete bunkers; tornadoes and big category hurricanes don’t care what your house is made of.

[@michaelmccaffrey2731]

Yeah the climate change created by the chem trails

[@enough1494]

NOLA is really hurting today! Barbaric killings and now Mother Nature’s wrath!

[@tonyfranklin2179]

Someone is telling yall to stop building here ...and the people of Louisiana just won't listen ...

[@hkgat8632]

Tornado/Flood right away. Very few trees, houses all raised. No thank you.

[@Tank7153]

The Most High is in the midst.

[@nanciehuaracha6079]

Wow

[@sethcourtemanche5738]

The tornado just hit the ground near this area it wasn't full strength yet

[@wrongplanet1957]

All the cloud dusters must be fully prosecuted world wide

[@johannedillworth7413]

Lots of chem trails early yesterday.

[@ramthian]

😭😭😭😭🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@tommiller5809]

CRAZY INDEED

[@wakeup5150]

I feel heart broken 💔 for these people. This was no accident it was again Weather warfare

[@debbiescott6732]

There's no such thing.

[@mistycastex5178]

Agree totally

[@robertbolding4182]

drones are much better than helicopters for this views

[@sethcourtemanche5738]

The only issue is range

[@lejonleonard9312]

Keep stating ur "blessed" while ur being shown otherwise.

[@tommiller5809]

THE devil OF DESTRUCTION IN SO MANY WAYS. THE SADNESS IS BEYOND BELIEF, I PRAY FOR ALL THOSE PEOPLE THAT WERE HURT AND HOMES AND ALL THEY OWNED, THERE IS ONLY PRAYERS FOR THEM TO ALMIGHTY GOD AND HIS BELOVED SON JESUS FOR ALL FAMILIES INVOLVED. A SHAME INDEED, GOD BLESS THEM AND PRAY FOR ALL INVOLVED, , IN JESUS NAME I PRAY,. AMEN 🙏😇❤️

[@danstrayer111]

and you really think that helps, don't you?

[@Christian-Dario]

God is calling humanity to repentance. He's giving these warning signs so people can repent and seek the Lord Jesus Christ. I was given 3 dreams of massive hurricanes all over the world and the Holy Spirit commanded me to tell the world to repent. God wants to bless you if you are reading this. Pray, read His Word, and repent. His time is coming soon.

[@peterwinkler2162]

I got this

[@wolftime2000]

This is what happens when you cut down the forests

[@eprohoda]

how you doing?~ Like it-you uploaded perfect video-work! WWTLV,:)

[@ismaylqudrtov7053]

Əlhəmdülillah.

[@jodicool9787]

I'll be in New Orleans in a week. Hope I missed all the crazy weather

[@meligarrett9197]

Seems like the 9th ward gets the worst of these storms.

[@glennphifer2939]

Maybe New Orleans needs to think about putting Andrew Jackson back in jackson square keep the tornadoes away. Joe Biden's not doing it and he said he would.

[@angelchavez8610]

Psalms 91

[@wrongplanet1957]

And don't build back but under ground

[@TheWestlandgirl]

They wont allow people to choose round cement homes or underground. Building Codes want wooden structures cuz beauty or something. Can't have individual choices only conformity.

[@kellyramsey5486]

@@TheWestlandgirl beauty? I think it’s because of $$$$

[@Blane_be_fishin]

These aren’t rich areas. And you can’t build anything underground in the south due to being so close to sea level. You dig and reach water in a few feet.

[@robertbolding4182]

The Hip roof homes did far better

[@er.ernawati.radar.orari.50]

TUaNs

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

May God make it easy for the victims and to think it hasn't even started yet. Repent American coronies I say this with utmost sincerity otherwise you will have to get rid of quite a few stars from your flag.

[@debbiescott6732]

Speak in English. We American cronies don't understand your jibberish. 👎🇺🇸💪

[@69judge27]

GOD IS HANDING DOWN JUDGEMENT ON THAT EVIL CITY YET AGAIN. ARE Y'ALL PAYING ATTENTION. Jeremiah 30:23 KJV Behold, the WHIRLWIND of the LORD goeth forth with FURY, a continuing WHIRLWIND: it shall fall with PAIN upon the head of the WICKED. 😎🎸

[@captzoom1778]

This is why you don't build homes out of sticks

[@wrongplanet1957]

Those exploded all in one spot thats a wepon

[@tonimangipano9061]

God is Shaking the earth! Repent of your sins! Jesus is waiting for you to come to Him!

[@shomerephraimonop9612]

Nothing to see here...looks like the Affluent so called folks neighborhood has been hit sgain...JUDGEMENT AND RECOMPENSE!!!!

[@TheWestlandgirl]

Nothing wrong with having nice homes if you do honest work and reap the compensation. Stop believing God doesn't want good things for his Children. Ridiculous.

[@janklaas6885]

god hates his childeren and wants them to suffer.

[@johannedillworth7413]

Thou shalt not covet…. Still is a Commandment. They were decent people and in no way deserved this. Arabi volunteered to help IDA victims and first responders recently

[@somebodywhocares9293]

I don't know how many times Mother nature has to tell u to move. Smdh.

[@Melody615199999]

You probably don't know much of anything at all.

[@Blane_be_fishin]

These aren’t rich people who can just pack their bags and move to wherever they want. Especially in an economic crisis. Plus tornadoes can happen anywhere.

[@wrongplanet1957]

Especially if you voted for Biden take your friends woth

[@edwinatollstoy4837]

Where did that dude get those solar panels, they look pretty good for direct hit by tornado. Over here in hurricane country we need some of them.