A possible tornado may have caused severe building and tree damage in and around Kentwood, according to a Facebook page devoted to events happening in the Tangipahoa Parish town.
The Keeping up with Kentwood page claims that witnesses reported a tornado touchdown on Avenue A. The page's administrators shared pictures of buildings that suffered severe storm damage during Friday's severe weather, including several that appear to be destroyed by the storm's heavy winds. Other images show trees that were downed by the storm, some of which took down power lines when they collapsed.
"Debis is everywhere and trees are down," a post on the page reads. "Electricity is off all throughout town and West of Highway 38."
Another post with pictures of where the purported tornado touchdown took place shows a tire shop that was destoyed.
"Mr. Charlie’s Tire Shop on the corner of Highway 51 and Ave E. Mr. Charlie stated that the brick wall next to his building had been loose and gave way," that post read.
Town officials confirmed on Facebook that the storm's strong winds caused major damage in the city, but they stressed that they do not know if a tornado caused that damage.
"KENTWOOD WE ARE OK, WE HAVE EVERYONE IN PLACE AND WORKING TO HELP US TO BE OK," city leaders posted on the town's Facebook page. "Call City Hall if you need us."
The National Weather Service has not confirmed any tornado touchdowns on the Northshore. NWS meteorologists said they received reports of a tornado touchdown just south of Waveland, Mississippi, around 2 p.m. Friday.
