KPLC 7 News, Lake Charles, LouisianaFamily Survives Tornado

Family Survives Tornado

November 27, 2003
Reported by Graham Winch & Erica Young

Some Southwest Louisiana residents have a lot to be grateful for this Thanksgiving holiday. Tornadoes tore through parts of Beauregard and Vernon parishes late Wednesday, but no one was killed.

Teenager Angelina Nutt and 4-year-old Cheyanne Cooley were visiting their grandparents when a tornado ripped through the house just southeast of DeRidder. Angelina says she was terrified. "During the whole thing, my grandparents were praying; and that really freaked me out. It was kind of scary. When it happened, all the stuff fell over and fell on top of me."

If it weren't for the family's storm cellar, they may not be alive today. Angelina and Cheyanne sought shelter in the cellar, along with their grandparents, just minutes before the twister destroyed the house. Angelina describes what was happening just above them. "All of sudden, everything started to blow. All the wind was blowing stuff on top of us. We didn't know what to do because this stuff was on top of us. It was freaky and scary."

The house that's been in the family for 30 years is now a complete loss. But the girls' aunt, Christine Johnson says, there's still a lot to be thankful for. "I was making the corn bread dressing for Thanksgiving. I got through with it this afternoon. I had brought it to my mom so she could out it in the oven. Well [after the tornado] we found the refrigerator still in tact, and the corn bread dressing is still okay. So there looks like there is going to be some dressing after all.

Neither grandparent was hurt. Both went to stay with a relative right after the storm.

The same tornado went on to destroy a row of trailers just a few miles away on Highway 26. One man was sleeping in his mobile home when it touched down. His trailer was picked up and thrown about 200 feet before being ripped in half. The man was found in a ditch near his couch and stove. Family members tell 7News he suffered head injuries but is expected to recover.

This particular tornado was an F2, with wind speeds between 120 and 140 mph at its peak. It was on the ground for about 30 minutes. At times, it was 200 yards wide. In all, three places were hit by tornadoes Wednesday night: southeast of DeRidder, south of Ragley and Pitkin. A total 12 homes were damaged; six were a total loss and six had major damage. There were two minor injuries, but no one died. The Red Cross will be out in the damaged areas Friday morning to help victims. The cleanup, meanwhile, will be handled by public works and Waste Management. They will set up dumpsters along the roadways, so crews and residents can clear their property of limbs and debris. Those trash collection points should be set up by the weekend.