An apparent tornado ripped through the New Orleans area early Tuesday, ripping the roof off a hotel, knocking down power lines and injuring three people, the Associated Press reported. The storm, which hit around 3:30 a.m., tore the roof off a hotel in Westwego, which is across the river from the city, WDSU-TV reported. At least three people were brought to a hospital. Trailers were overturned in some areas and at least six homes collapsed, according to the station. In the city, the storm knocked down power lines and tree limbs and damaged roofs. At one point, emergency workers in New Orleans' uptown neighborhood scrambled to clear a downed magnolia tree so an ambulance could get by. John Carolan, 50, who lives in the neighborhood, said he was awakened by the storm and got up in time to get into a closet with his wife. «Ten second and it was over,» he said. He said the storm blew furniture on his porch down the street. The local National Weather Service could not immediately be reached. The Louisiana Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness did not immediately return a phone call.
