A powerful storm system swept through areas of the U.S. Gulf Coast last week, with one community experiencing damage that hasn’t been seen since Hurricane Katrina, according to the town’s mayor.

Residents of Slidell, Louisiana, a city about an hour from New Orleans, experienced impacts consistent with at least one EF-2 tornado, damaging hundreds of homes and businesses in the area and displacing dozens. Several temporary shelters have been activated in the area, and thousands experienced power outages last week. New Orleans and surrounding areas also experienced flash flooding from the storm, with some roadways becoming inundated with heavy rains.

People displaced from their homes after natural disasters, including tornadoes, can be at medical risk if they evacuate without prescription medications needed to manage their health. On Thursday, Direct Relief shipped requested personal care items to people residing in shelters.

Staff from Baptist Community Health Services reported at least 50 families in the community lost everything, and the organization requested personal care kits from Direct Relief. The kits contain items including soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, and more, and are created for people displaced from their homes during times of disaster. The kits were dispatched last week and have since been distributed to people at local shelters.

Direct Relief will continue assessing needs in the area and responding as requested.