F2 Tornado — Jefferson, Louisiana

1993-04-08 · near Grand Isle, Jefferson, Louisiana

Event narrative

An unusually strong, well organized cluster of thunderstorms moving east-northeast about 40 mph blew down about 14 utility poles 8 miles south of Leeville. A waterspout made landfall as a tornado near the middle of Grand Isle on the Gulf of Mexico side about 1320 CST. The tornado continued west-southwest across the middle of the island before exiting into Caminada Bay then making landfall at Cheniere Caminada where it dissipated. According to a damage survey conducted by the American Red Cross 21 single family homes, 15 mobile homes, and 2 apartments were destroyed, 17 single family homes, 13 mobile homes, and 3 apartments suffered major damage, 54 single family homes, 16 mobile homes, and a apartment received minor damage. 18 businesses were either damaged or destroyed. The high school and the post office were destroyed. Cleanup costs were estimated around $200,000. Louisiana Power and Light Electric Company said the tornado destroyed about 60 power poles and several thousand feet of electrical wire. The tornado killed three people in the center part of Grand Isle. A 17-year- old female high school senior was killed on the second floor hallway of the two story wood frame high school building which was destroyed. Two construction workers were killed on the first floor of a home that they were remodeling near the high school. 39 people were injured. (F17O)(M25P)(M49P)

View location on OpenStreetMap → (29.2300, -90.0000)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 10358407. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.