A tornado watch is in effect in 7 north Louisiana parishes until 10pm, as a strong line of thunderstorms is currently moving across the state north of Interstate 20. Parishes under watch include Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, Lincoln, Ouachita, Union and Webster. There’s also a severe thunderstorm warning for Morehouse and West Carroll parish until 4:30. More severe weather is expected to hit the area tomorrow as well.
Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany is working to help Louisiana get better detection of tornadoes in south Louisiana. He’s introduced a bill that requires radar detection sites within 55 miles of every state capitol, because there is not one near Baton Rouge, which has led to several tornadoes hitting the area with no advance warning. Boustany says he is looking into how much the radar site will cost.
State police say a Lafayette man has been arrested after driving 150 miles per hour and crashing his car, which killed his passenger. Trooper Brooks David says the driver Martin Nguyen was in the hospital being treated for injuries after the accident, but he has now been arrested and charged with vehicular homicide, speeding, reckless operation, and improper lane usage.
30-year-old Hoang Nguyen of Lake Charles was killed in the crash.
Several recent animal deaths at the Baton Rouge zoo have prompted an investigation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Two giraffes also recently died at the zoo. Curator Sam Winslow says they were 24 and 30-years-old. He says the normal life expectancy for a giraffe is about 13 years.