Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards toured the New Orleans area today getting a look at tornado damage, following trips to Caddo Parish and New Iberia.
The storms killed three people in Louisiana -- a mother and child in Caddo Parish, and a 56-year-old grandmother in St. Charles Parish. The governor today said many others had to be hospitalized for storm-related injuries.
"A number of people remain in the hospitals, some with significant injuries," the governor said.
In Gretna, the mayor says dozens of buildings will have to be torn down.
"Early estimates are there are 30-plus structures that we consider to be early demolitions," said Mayor Belinda Constant.
Despite the extensive damage, Edwards warned that it is probably not widespread enough to qualify the state for a federal disaster declaration.
"We don't believe that we will qualify for assistance from the federal government," said Edwards. "In fact, we're quite certain no individual assistance will be available."
The governor has signed a state disaster declaration, which he said will make state personnel, equipment, and funding available for response and recovery.