Body cam footage shows moments after tornado strikes Slidell

Raeven Poole
·1 min read

SLIDELL, La. (WGNO) — The Slidell Police Department has released body camera footage of the moment one officer responded to victims of the tornado that touched down in Slidell on Wednesday, April 10.

In the video, Officer Rodney West is seen running up to several vehicles that have been turned on their sides. One woman was found inside her vehicle that had been flipped in a McDonald’s parking lot.

West can be heard in the video saying, “Hey, are you okay? We got somebody coming to help you. Are you scared? Me too.”

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With the constant rainfall and winds blowing, West went to several buildings with windows and doors destroyed by the storm, checking on customers and workers who were inside.

The video later shows the St. Tammany Parish Fire Department arriving on the scene, beginning efforts to successfully free the woman.

Following the rescue, West took a moment to check on his family and to ensure that he was safe.

In a news conference held later that day, Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer said it appears that the tornado touched down several times and there are pockets of storm damage across the city.

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While no major injuries were reported, the SPD was able to rescue 50 people from an apartment complex on Old Spanish Trail.

Clean-up efforts have begun in the area with officials with the Red Cross in Slidell providing meals, materials and shelter to residents in need.

The National Weather Service confirmed that the tornado was an EF2.

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