The National Weather Service is investigating after radar indicated tornadoes touched down overnight in Tangipahoa, Washington and St. Helena Parishes.
Tangipahoa President Robby Miller says high winds took down trees and power lines.
"The whole center of the parish got hit," he told WWL's Tommy Tucker. "It was pretty intense for a while there."
He says the good news is that there were no serious injuries reported.
"A lot of trees all over the place."
Washington Parish is reporting some buildings with roofs blown off, lighting damage and many trees down.
More than 12,000 power outages were lingering in St. Tammany, Tangipahoa and Washington Parishes through the morning.
WWL TV Meteorologist Payton Malone says, "Severe weather and heavy rain have moved out, and now cooler weather returns."
He says the storms came ahead of a cold front.
"The winds will be strong this morning gusting between 30-45 mph. Winds will begin to taper off some by this evening. Tonight will turn chilly, with lows in the 40s and 50s, but the wind will make it feel more like the 30s and 40s."
Detailed Forecast:
TODAY:
Sunny! Cooler and less humid! Windy! High: 64. Winds: N 10-20+.
FRIDAY:
Chilly morning, very pleasant! Sunny! Low: S 48, N 40. High: 73.
SATURDAY:
Cool morning, warmer afternoon. Sunny! Low: S 53, N 47. High: 77.
SUNDAY:
Mostly sunny to partly cloudy. Some late clouds. Breezy. Warmer, more humid. Low: S 60, N 56. High: 82.
MONDAY:
20% morning showers, then partly sunny. Much cooler, less humid. Breezy. Low: S 51, N 46. High: 57.
ST. PATRICK'S DAY:
Frost North. Partly cloudy. Cool. Low: S 43, N 35. High: 56.
WEDNESDAY:
Frost North. Partly cloudy. Mild, breezy. Low: S 44, N 35. High: 65
