Strong storms that blew across northwest Louisiana last evening took the life of an elderly Coushatta woman. A large tree fell across the house on the Esperanza Road trapping her on the couch in her living room.

The victim is identified by family members as Clara Suggs. She was asleep on the couch in the living room of her mobile home when a large tree fell across it. Suggs’ mother Ellen Wood was in a bedroom of the home. She is reported to have suffered only a few scratches, according to family members.  Suggs died at the scene. Her dog Pee Wee also perished in the house.

Sunrise found power out throughout Red River Parish. There is widespread damage including buildings blown over, signs down, many trees uprooted, and power lines down. Utilities have dispatched crews however damage is reported widespread throughout the northwest part of the state. Few businesses are open on generator power. Therefore gasoline is difficult to find. Stations in Coushatta and Armistead are closed.

The top picture is the tree across the Suggs home. Others depict trees blocking East Carroll Street at Red River High School, the building on US 84 at Armistead that was blown away, the roof peeled away from a building across the tracks on Front Street, and other photos of trees and electrical lines downed.