ST. LANDRY PARISH, La. (KLFY) — St. Landry Parish President Jessie Bellard confirmed a fatality related to an early morning tornado in Palmetto, Louisiana.
Bellard told NewsNation affiliate KLFY Jose Antonio Higareda was killed when the tornado struck the home he was living in. He was 27 years old.
He said seven people were transported with injuries to local hospitals and multiple people were treated at the scene. At 10:30 a.m., KLFY learned that five of those injured have been released from the hospital. Two others are still in the hospital with injuries.
The trailer of an 18-wheeler can be seen is in the middle of the roadway, along with multiple other vehicles that were tossed around with some flipping over.
He said search and rescue crews are still out working as of daylight. “My thoughts and prayers are with the families affected by this storm,” Bellard said. “We’re doing everything we can to those families.”
Bellard reported that SLEMCO, St. Landry Public Works, Animal Control and the Sheriff’s Department were on scene and working on debris clearance and restoring power to the area. The Red Cross was in route to assist families.
The National Weather Service out of Lake Charles told KLFY confirmed it was an EF3 tornado that hit the area. They said the wind speeds were between 130 and 140 mph.
England’s Luke Shaw takes a shot during the Euro 2020 soccer championship final match between England and Italy at Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday, July 11, 2021. (Paul Ellis/Pool via AP) 
England’s Luke Shaw, left, celebrates after scoring his side’s opening goal during the Euro 2020 final soccer match between Italy and England at Wembley stadium in London, Sunday, July 11, 2021. (Facundo Arrizabalaga/Pool via AP) 
An England supporter waves a flag near Trafalgar Square in London, Sunday, July 11, 2021, during the Euro 2020 soccer championship final match between England and Italy which is being played at Wembley Stadium. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) 
Fans watch on a giant screen in Rome, Sunday, July 11, 2021, the Euro 2020 soccer championships’ final match between Italy and England played at Wembley stadium in London. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) 
Italy’s Leonardo Bonucci, right, scores his side’s opening goal during the Euro 2020 final soccer match between Italy and England at Wembley stadium in London, Sunday, July 11, 2021. (Facundo Arrizabalaga/Pool via AP) 
Italy’s Leonardo Bonucci celebrates after he scored his side’s first goal during the Euro 2020 soccer championship final between England and Italy at Wembley stadium in London, Sunday, July 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, Pool) 
England’s Marcus Rashford reacts after missed a penalty shot during the penalty shootout during the Euro 2020 soccer final match between England and Italy at Wembley stadium in London, Sunday, July 11, 2021. (Andy Rain/Pool Photo via AP) 
Italy’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma makes a save against England’s Jadon Sancho during penalty shootout of the Euro 2020 soccer championship final match between England and Italy at Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday, July 11, 2021. (Paul Ellis/Pool via AP)
