Fund is established

A relief fund for the victims of Saturday’s tornado near Palmetto has been set up by Hope Alliance Community Development Corporation and Community Foundation of Acadiana.
A EF-3 tornado struck the area on Bolden Road off La. 359 at 2:15 a.m. Saturday killing one per\son and injuring seven others.
Donations to the fund can be made at cfacadiana.org/hopealliance.
“Some families have lost everything. They have nothing left,” said Parish President Jessie Bellard. “Any support we can provide them will be greatly appreciated. This is what St. Landry Parish does best. We help our neighbors.”
The EF-3 tornado damaged or destroyed at least 15 homes on an 8.7-mile path on Bolden Road southwest of Palmetto to La. 360 northeast of Palmetto.
Donations can also be made by mail. Make checks payable to Community Foundation of Acadiana, with Hope Alliance in the memo line. Mail to 1035 Camellia Blvd., Suite 100, Lafayette, LA 70508.
For questions, email donorservices@cfacadiana.org(link sends e-mail) or call 337-769-4843.
St. Landry Parish Government officials are asking residents to help the parish identify damage caused by the severe weather and tornado on April 9 and 10 by visiting damage.la.gov.
Residents whose home or business have experienced storm damage due to this weekend’s severe weather or the Palmetto tornado are asked to complete an online damage assessment form. This information not only documents the impact of the storm on individuals, families, and businesses; it also assists the parish in qualifying for future federal funding.
Residents and business owners are being asked to complete the form on their mobile phones if possible so that pictures of the damage can be attached when submitting the form. Photos assist the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness with categorizing the damage.
Reporting damage to GOHSEP is important but voluntary. This does not replace reporting damage to insurance companies and does not guarantee disaster relief assistance.
The National Weather Service summary of the incident included: “A strong tornado touched down on Bolden Road, destroying several homes. One single wide mobile home that was tied down rolled numerous times for over 320 yards. One man died in this home. A double wide mobile home next door rolled for over 100 yards. Two people were seriously injured. A third home on pilings slid over 50 yards, with 5 people inside, who received cuts and bruises. In total, 15 homes were damaged or destroyed along the path of this tornado. In addition, numerous trees and power lines were snapped, and some barns and outbuildings were destroyed.”
The tornado had an estimated wind speed of 140 mph and was on the ground for 8.7 miles starting at 2:06 a.m.