Storms In Louisiana Cause Power Outages

Strong thunderstorms packing tornadic winds ripped through the Arklatex last night downing trees and power lines and knocking out power to thousands.

This morning,  a couple of  schools were closed in Webster Parish due to last night's thunderstorms.  Lakeside and Central Elementary Schools were out today.  Bienville Parish schools, Athens and Summerfield schools in Claiborne Parish and all Homer schools were also closed this morning because of power outages.

The most intense storms were wreaking havoc between 7 and 9 pm last night with more than 4,000 people reported without power as of 9:45 pm.

Shoppers and employees were hunkered down inside the Walmart on Bert Kouns as storms ripped through with reports of a possible tornado.

Trees blown onto houses caused much damage in DeSoto parish,  especially at Frierson,  where a woman was trapped inside her home on Ferris Lane at Hwy.  175.

Firefighters couldn't get their trucks out of the station at DeSoto Fire District No. 9's  Central Station on Hwy., 175 because of damage.