On Tuesday, February 13th, two tornadoes touched down in Orleans and Jefferson Parishes in the early morning hours.  According to local media, the first tornado struck at approximately 2:45am in Westwego; other areas that suffered damages were the Carrollton Area and Gentilly.  The tornados resulted in one confirmed death and at least 29 people injured.

Mayor Ray Nagin said more than 100 homes were left uninhabitable by the tornado, and at least 50 FEMA trailers were destroyed.  About 21,000 electricity customers in the New Orleans area lost power initially and the lights remained out at about 1,000 households until late Tuesday night. 

Fortunately, 2-1-1 providers effectively disseminated information to callers in reference to the storms.  VIA LINK/2-1-1 lost power early Tuesday morning, however it was restored, allowing caller assistance.  Several providers reported receiving calls for shelter from the storms, missing persons, power outages, and resources for property damage. 

Traveler’s Aid supplied information to VIA LINK/2-1-1 regarding programs that they have available for those that were affected.  A Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) call was conducted Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. to further coordinate relief and recovery efforts.

LeaDonna Duncan, United Way 2-1-1 Monroe, served as a point person for circulating updated information along with VIA LINK/2-1-1 to the rest of the 2-1-1 service providers and callers in general.  Some of the resource information gathered came from local community providers and local news stations in the Jefferson and Orleans parish areas. 

As of 10 a.m. on February 13th, VIA LINK received 70 calls and United Way 2-1-1 Monroe received 30.  On average, VIA LINK receives 30 calls and United Way 2-1-1 Monroe receives 13 during the same time frame.