EUNICE, La. — The past 24 hours have been a difficult and exhausting time for residents of St. Landry and Acadia Parishes, as they assess the damage caused by Monday’s powerful storm. In the Acadian Acres subdivision of Eunice, homeowners spent the day cleaning up and trying to come to terms with the destruction left behind.
For Patrick Ardoin, the storm’s impact was immediate and overwhelming. A massive oak tree, twisted by the fierce winds, collapsed onto his home, causing significant damage. “Maybe around 5 o’clock, just a couple of minutes later, we heard a big noise—and we noticed our oak tree had twisted and blown over into the house,” Ardoin recalled.
The damage was extensive. Large branches pierced through ceilings, while parts of the home, including the foyer, bedroom, and garage, were severely affected. Ardoin’s assessment of the wreckage painted a grim picture. “This is the foyer, a bedroom, the garage—all just destroyed, and even portions of the attic,” he said.
The storm’s wrath was not limited to Ardoin’s home. Throughout the subdivision, neighbors found their yards covered in fallen trees and storm debris. The steady hum of chainsaws and tree-cutting equipment filled the air as crews worked tirelessly to clear the damage. For many, this storm was unlike anything they had experienced before.
“We get high winds, but nothing like this. This was different,” Ardoin said, reflecting the shock felt by many in the community.
One of Ardoin’s neighbors, who has lived in the area for over a decade, shared similar sentiments. “I’ve been here for 10 years, and every time we have bad weather, cleanup is a job—but nothing like this,” they said, surveying the damage in their yard.
Despite the significant destruction, there was one piece of good news: no one was inside when the oak tree crashed into Ardoin’s home. “The good news is that no one was in here when it happened,” Ardoin remarked, relieved that his family had not been harmed.
As the community begins the long process of recovery, Ardoin is already focused on the next steps. He is working with his insurance provider to start the rebuilding process and begin restoring his home.
The storm left a lasting mark on the residents of Eunice, but with their resilience and determination, they are moving forward, slowly but surely, in the wake of the destruction.