(AREAWIDE)---The National Weather Service will have the final say as to whether it was a tornado, but exceptionally strong thunderstorms and high winds raked a section of the Northshore, causing damage from Tangipahoa Parish and St. Tammany Parish into Washington Parish, early Thursday, May 15.
Tangipahoa Parish officials report that tornado-like winds damaged many homes throughout the parish, especially in the Pumpkin Center area. Parish President Gordon Burgess tells Eyewitness News that he has declared a state of emergency in Tangipahoa Parish due to the widespread damage.
Moving eastward, the same line of storms heavily damaged a roofing company warehouse on Robinson Road, just off LA 40, near Folsom in St. Tammany Parish. Officials and residents there report that the same weather system also damaged the Oak Hill Estates area off North Willie Road and LA 40, west of Folsom. Residents there tell Eyewitness News that a home was damaged Wednesday night when a lightning strike allegedly started a house fire.
In Washington Parish, the Sheriff's Office indicates that trees are down parishwide, but that there are no reports as of yet of damage to homes. WPSO officials are still awaiting field reports from deputies to have an overall damage assessment.
There have been no reports of injuries.

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