Hurricane Laura cut a path of destruction through Louisiana that stretches from Lake Charles to Ruston.
In Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Chief of Staff Tommy Carnline says they had no idea they’d be hit so hard so far inland.
“There was some very high winds and there was a lot of roofs blown off and a lot of trees blown down. Snapped at the top actually, I’m looking at a lot of trees around our compound and they are just snapped at the top,” says Carnline.
A curfew is in effect in Rapides from 6 AM 9 PM Thursday and Friday.
Carnline says Gas pumps are down due to a lack of power and wifi. All traffic lights were knocked out, and over 40,000 lost power. Normally they’d be rushing deputies to south Louisiana, but this time they’ll be staying home.
“All of our people are staying here, we are not going to be able to assist anybody for several days until we can get our situation under control,” says Carnline.
In some good news, there were no severe injuries reported in the parish.
In Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker says they’ve suffered a blow like they did during last year’s tornado.
“We lost a ton of trees, which we lost a lot in the tornado but the difference between the tornado and today is this is all over town,” says Walker.
In Ruston, winds over 70 miles per hour were clocked.
Walker says 95 percent of the city lost power, compared to just 70 percent of the city during the tornado.
“It looks like a ghost town, no lights anywhere,” says Walker.
