The National Weather Service reports that the tornado that struck New Orleans East on Tuesday was at least an EF-2 on the Fujita Scale.
An EF-2 produces winds of between 111 and 135 miles per hour.
EF-2 tornadoes generally cause significant damage to frame houses, complete destruction to mobile homes, and are capable of snapping or uprooting large trees.
Mayor Mitch Landrieu has said the twister created a path of damage about a quarter-mile wide and 2 to 2.25 quarter miles long.
The tornado damaged or destroyed properties between Crowder Boulevard and Bundy Road, caused damage at trailer parks and motels along Chef Menteur Highway and produced roof damage at NASA's Michoud Assembly facility.