The three-story Costal Complex in Delacroix, originally the Delacroix Island School, was hit by a tornado during the severe storm that struck the St. Bernard area Tuesday evening.

The unoccupied complex lost its top two floors, but there were no reports of injuries from that incident. Councilman Fred Everhardt was on site to survey the damage. The building had been one of the few structures to survive Hurricane Katrina.

A survey team from the National Weather Service reported that this level of damage is “consistent with estimated winds around 105 MPH.” A tornado watch had been issued for Chalmette and the surrounding area.

Outside of the damage to the complex, the effect of the storm was minimal for most of the parish. Though the force of the winds flipped five RV trailers.

The Weather Service’s team concluded that after the tornado touched down it “crossed a marsh field and recrossed Highway 300 where four of the five trailers were affected.” They estimate the size of the funnel was 0.6 miles in length and had a width of 25 yards.

Reports of street flooding in the parish were present during the heaviest rainfalls, but were minor according to parish officials. The national weather service reported thunder and reduced visibility accompanied some hail, all of which lead to scattered power outages for parts of the parish through out the evening.