Tornado flattens houses, downs power lines in New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS, Aug. 5 (UPI) -- A tornado with winds up to 80 mph ripped a half-mile swath through a New Orleans neighborhood on Thursday, flattening homes and downing power lines.

The National Weather Service confirmed the tornado, an EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, moved from Marias and Annette streets to Claiborne Avenue and St. Phillip Street in the Seventh Ward. City officials said several streets in the area remain closed Friday to examine structural damages.

At least two people were taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries in the 3:30 p.m. storm. Power outages were reported for up to 29,000 customers. A vacant home and three other buildings collapsed.