‘I’m scared too’: Dramatic bodycam video shows flipped cars, rescue attempts following Slidell tornado
SLIDELL, La. (WVUE) - In the aftermath of an EF-2 tornado wreaking havoc in Slidell, new body cam footage released by the Slidell Police Department offers a raw glimpse into the chaos left behind.
The video captures officers responding to Pontchartrain Drive, navigating through downed tree limbs and assessing damages to area buildings in the wake of the destructive tornado.
Officer Rodney West locates a woman trapped inside of an overturned vehicle.
“I’m scared too,” he says to her while waiting for tools to rescue her.
He calls his wife to ensure she is okay, then searches for more victims.
Near Old Spanish Trail, the community rallies together Friday in the face of adversity, reminiscent of the unity seen after hurricanes and similar disasters.
“This is typical Slidell. I’m proud to be a part of it,” remarked one volunteer. “I’m going to go home and make a pot of red beans and feed the linemen.”
Meanwhile, just a few blocks away at Fritchie Park, volunteers dedicated their day to providing essential supplies to tornado victims.
The recovery effort is in full swing across the city, with a collective effort from organizations like Lowe’s, the American Red Cross, United Way, and local church members.
“The best part of it, if there is a good part of it, is people coming together and just supporting each other and nobody does that better than Southeast Louisiana,” said Lowe’s store manager John Lemaster. “They’ve been through it, this community been through it, and they’ll go through it again and they’ll come back strong every time.”
Mayor Greg Cromer echoed Lemaster’s sentiment, praising the coordinated efforts of various departments and volunteers.
“We got a good team. Fire department, PD, public works, hospital. We all come together and these types of events and I don’t wanna say it’s really good to see something work well, but it’s good to see it worked like it did. You just wish you don’t have to put it in place,” Cromer said.
Amidst the cleanup efforts, volunteers will continue to provide hot meals and distribute supplies at the community center, offering aid to those affected by the tornado as they work towards rebuilding their lives.
APRIL 10 WEATHER OUTBREAK
- Extensive damage and widespread flooding reported as storms pummel southeast Louisiana
- Focus shifts to clean up following severe weather outbreak, Slidell tornado
- Photos and videos of April 10 severe weather outbreak in southeast Louisiana
- Probable tornado in Pearl River traps disabled woman in damaged home
- New Orleans faces significant street flooding, power issues cited by Sewerage and Water Board
Wednesday’s severe weather outbreak spawned at least 11 tornadoes across Louisiana, including two of EF-2 strength. The tornado that struck Slidell was estimated to have peak winds at 120 mph, was 350 yards wide and traveled 9.3 miles on the ground. The second EF-2 tornado hit the Lake Charles area with 115 mph winds.
The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed a 60-year-old woman died when a tree and power line fell on her house in Pineville.
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