Multiple buildings collapse in Treme and 7th Ward during tornado, at least two injured

Severe weather flattened all or part of three homes and damaged one more in Treme and the 7th Ward Thursday afternoon as an intense thunderstorm rolled through the area.

The National Weather Service confirmed Thursday evening the damage to two buildings on North Claiborne Avenue and two near the 1300 block of Kerlerec Street, was caused by a tornado. The half-mile track of the EFO storm was located between Marias and Annette streets and Claiborne Avenue and St. Peter Street.

Two people were hurt while walking by one of the buildings that collapsed and were taken to the hospital, but officials Thursday described their injuries as minor. No one was inside of the structures when they collapsed.

The damage occurred as a massive thunderstorm shook the area. The first reports came of a collapse came in at about 3:40 p.m. When firefighters arrived at Claiborne and Ursulines Avenue about nine minutes later, they found the rear of a two-story building on the lot had collapsed. Nearby, they found a two-story home at the corner of Claiborne and St. Philip Street completely flattened.

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