Louisiana family describes surviving deadly tornado
Tuesday a tornado touched down in Keithville, Louisiana. This destructive storm claimed the life of mother and son and destroyed countless homes in the Pecan Farm area.
"It has really been a difficult thing for the deputies, firefighters and state police, they have been working all night," said Sheriff Steve Prator.
Caddo Parish Deputies were dispatched to the area of Lareta Street just after 4:45 p.m. to reports of a tornado. Upon arrival, deputies discovered several structures damaged, and electrical lines and trees knocked down.
Deputies began the search and rescue of the area when it was reported that two people were missing.
Yoshiko A. Smith, 30, and Nikolus Little, 8, were recovered following the storm. The child was found in a wooded area at 10:55 p.m., while the mother's body was found under storm debris at 3:30 a.m. Wednesday.
"It was fast," said Preslie Stevens a neighbor to Smith. "Just a lot of wind."
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Preslie and her daughter Lana Stevens were home when the tornado touched down, just yards away from Smith's home.
Preslie recounted seconds before the tornado hit saying "it was raining and then the power went out and we heard loud wind and we got in the closet," She said, "I tried to shut the door a bunch of times, and it wouldn't shut it. And it tilted off of its foundation. And I heard the windows busting and all this stuff flying around."
Preslie was able to find safety in that closet with her daughter and two cats.
Preslie's home is completely destroyed now with half the roof missing and furniture thrown about.
Next door Preslie's neighbors are picking through the debris to find clothes. Today nothing stands of their home.
Gov. John Bel Edwards has declared a State of Emergency and will be speaking to Caddo Parish leaders this afternoon.
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Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at mboucher@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Louisiana family describes surviving deadly tornado
