Freight train sound warns of tornado's approach

TREVIS R. BADEAUX / The Daily Iberian / March 3, 1999

JEANERETTE - First everything went black. Then there was the sound of a freight train rolling through the area. Then chaos.

The story was the same at each home or business minutes after a tornado ripped through downtown Jeanerette Tuesday just before 10 p.m.

The National Weather Service in Lake Charles reported early today that tornadoes touched down in the Broussard and Jeanerette areas late Tuesday. The funnel clouds, generated by a line of storms that developed over northeast Texas and moved into the Acadiana area late Tuesday, touched ground for no more than five minutes bearing winds up to 120-140 mph, a NWS spokesperson said.

"It came on all at once," said Roy Eskind, owner of Uncle Roy's Lounge on Main Street.

Eskind, who was in his bar with about five customers and one bartender, said all the lights went out along Main Street at once.

"We heard a loud noise and all hit the floor just before the glass on the front of the bar busted out across Main Street," Eskind said as he carefully shifted though shards of glass still lining the concrete floor of his establishment. "Never seen anything like it before."

Johnny Williams, 302 S. Cypress Lane, said he heard a "rumbling" just before 10 p.m. as he stepped from the shower. Williams said his brother, Kenneth, was asleep in another room in the trailer the two occupied at the end of the narrow street.

"Next, I heard debris hitting the trailer," Williams said. "When I looked outside, I didn't see anything."

Fearing the worse, Williams said he took shelter in the bathroom of the home moments before the trailer was lifted into the air and began rolling.

"The trailer we were in was thrown over another trailer next door and demolished," Williams said. "All that is left is the frame and debris everywhere."

Kenneth was ejected from the trailer and struck a pecan tree while still in his bed, Williams said. Kenneth was subsequently taken to Iberia Medical Center for treatment of cuts and bruises and released early today, said Williams, who was uninjured in the incident.

Audrey Landry, 418 Minville Blvd., said she was watching a movie on television just before 10 p.m. when the power went out in her home.

"I heard something like a freight train coming, so I ducked," Landry said. "Then the windows in the living room just blew out."

After the "howling wind and other commotion" ceased, Landry said she walked outside to see power lines and large tree branches lying across her front yard.

Iberia Parish Sheriff Sid Hebert warned citizens on the streets late Tuesday to return home until officials could repair downed power lines throughout the city.

"We've been lucky so far," Hebert said just before midnight. "We really don't want an injury or fatality after the fact from someone not taking the right precautions."

City of Jeanerette begins cleanup after devastating tornado

TREVIS R. BADEAUX / The Daily Iberian / March 4, 1999

JEANERETTE - With chain saws buzzing and the skyline filled with cherry-pickers containing utility crews, the City of Jeanerette and area officials Wednesday began the long clean-up process in the aftermath of the tornado that hit the city late Tuesday.

Mayor James "TK" Alexander Sr. early today said he will meet with a representative of Gov. Mike Foster's office and with American Red Cross officials to compile information before seeking Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) financial support.

"We have the debris off the streets and no fatalities were reported. Jeanerette was lucky," the mayor said.

Alexander estimated the area sustained nearly $2 million in damages, and Becky Rogers, Red Cross Iberia Parish Chapter executive director, agreed, saying the mayor was "not far off" in his assessment.

"Quite a few homes and businesses have been either demolished or heavily damaged," Rogers said. A preliminary assessment has listed nearly 140 homes that were damaged by the tornado.

A temporary shelter established by ARC volunteers at 6 p.m. in the Ward 8 Recreation Center was closed around 9 p.m. Wednesday because individuals inside the shelter found additional support from family members or friends, Iberia Parish Sheriff Sid Hebert said.

"The people of the Jeanerette area have cooperated 100 percent," Hebert said. "As utility company vehicles begin to clear the area today, the clean-up effort will really kick into full gear."

The National Weather Service in Lake Charles confirmed early Wednesday that tornadoes touched down in the Broussard and Jeanerette areas late Tuesday. Spawned by a cold front that developed from a line of storms over northeast Texas and moved into Louisiana, the tornadoes contained winds of 120-140 mph and touched ground for less than five minutes, leaving a path of destruction for nearly two miles, an NWS spokesperson said.

Public Works Department crews from Iberia Parish, Jeanerette and New Iberia were on hand Wednesday to aid the community in clearing the debris.

CLECO officials said late Wednesday that power was restored to nearly 3,000 Jeanerette homes that lost electric service minutes before the tornado touched down.

Hebert confirmed early today only two injuries were reported in the storm, including an unidentified woman who received moderate injuries in a traffic accident at Pellerin and Admiral Doyle Drive just after 11 p.m. Tuesday and one other unidentified individual who received minor injuries in an unrelated incident earlier in the evening.

The Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office established a command post early Wednesday at Robie's Food Center on Main Street, where American Red Cross Iberia Parish Chapter volunteers located its Emergency Response Vehicle to assist victims of the torrential winds. However, IPSO officials closed the command post late Wednesday and ARC volunteers relocated to the Ward 8 Recreation Center before it too closed.

Time is right for severe weather

By CHRISCIA JACKSON The Enterprise

BEAUMONT -- The four tornadoes that ripped through Jasper and Newton Counties Tuesday night has left many people wondering why this phenomenon appears to becoming more common in southeast Texas.

However according to meteorologists it is not unusual for tornadoes to strike this time of year.

``February through March is the time for severe weather,'' said Joe Rua a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, La. ``During these months the air mass is perfect for tornadoes. Cold winter air is mixing with the warmer air from the Gulf Coast creating tornadoes.''

The weather system that caused the tornadoes Tuesday night originated in northeast Texas, gained strength as it moved into southeast Texas and caused the tornadoes to form in Jasper and Newton counties.

While the phenomenon is not usual the number of tornadoes has increased since last year.

``Last year there were only about 10 tornadoes that hit,'' said Meteorologist Roger Erickson, who surveys tornado ravaged areas.

``There have been 30 so far this year.''

Although Erickson cannot explain the reason for the increase, one person who has witnessed the damage in southeast Texas has a theory.

``Maybe God is trying to tell people that they need to straighten up,'' said Newton County Deputy Sheriff Joe Walker.

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