The devastating EF5 tornado that touched down in Moore, Okla., last month caused destruction similar to what Cameron Parish experienced following Hurricanes Rita and Ike, according to Cameron resident Nicky Rodrigue.

“It looks like when a hurricane hits, but it’s a just a narrow path through there,” he said Monday. “It’s devastating. There are slabs left where big brick houses were just flattened.”

Rodrigue and 11 other Cameron residents headed to Moore on Sunday to cook traditional Cajun meals for those affected by the tornado and the relief workers helping with cleanup and recovery. The effort is part of the “Cameron Giving Back” project. Dishes served in the Moore High School parking lot included shrimp stew, fried fish and jambalaya.

“We served about 500 people for lunch and another 500 for dinner,” Rodrigue said.

Rodrigue said residents have been “receptive and thankful” for the meals and are staying positive despite the destruction.

“I guess they’re accustomed to it,” he said. “It’s just something that happens here, kind of like hurricanes in the Gulf. Some people have nothing left. The motel where we’re staying is full of people that no longer have homes.”

Rodrigue said volunteers also donated T-shirts and caps leftover from Southwest Louisiana festivals.

Volunteers with “Cameron Giving Back” have visited Joplin, Mo., twice following the tornadoes that hit in May of 2011.

Rodrigue said donations will be made to affected schools, including Plaza Towers Elementary School, where seven students died.

People can donate at any City Savings Bank to the account “Cameron Giving Back: Moore, Okla. Tornado Victims.” The account has a non-profit tax identification number: 46-2840008.

Nicky Rodrigue and 11 other Cameron residents headed to Moore