Alert archive / Louisiana / Tornado Warnings in 2023

Tornado Warning 13, NWS Lake Charles, LA

January 24, 2023Allen Parish, Beauregard Parish, Louisiana

NWS Lake Charles, LA issued this tornado warning at Jan 24, 2023, 5:11 PM CST for Allen Parish, Beauregard Parish, Louisiana. It was in force for 34 min. 4 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued: Jan 24, 2023, 5:11 PM CST (23:11 UTC)
Expired: Jan 24, 2023, 5:45 PM CST
In force: 34 min
Issued by: NWS Lake Charles, LA
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Observed
Damage threat: Considerable
Hail: 0.75 in

Counties Allen Parish, LA, Beauregard Parish, LA

The radar

The Lake Charles radar (KLCH), 43 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:15 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

Time	Report	Where	Remark
Jan 24, 5:12 PM CST	TORNADO	4 Ssw Ragley, LA	A TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN NEAR JACKSON GIMNICK LOOP CAUSING DAMAGE TO TREES, POWER POLES, AND MULTIPLE OUTBUILDINGS. THE TORNADO THEN MOVED NORTHEAST THROUGH A HEAVILY FORESTED AREA INACCESSIBLE FOR THE SURVEY TEAM. FROM THERE, THE TORNADO MOVED ACROSS FOREMAN RO
Jan 24, 5:12 PM CST	TORNADO	6 Nw Gillis, LA	SEVERAL HOMES HAD ROOF DAMAGE AND TREES BLOW DOWN FROM THE TORNADO.
Jan 24, 5:13 PM CST	TORNADO	2 S Ragley, LA	SEVERAL HOMES HAD ROOFS BLOW OFF, TREES DOWN, POWER LINES DOWN AROUND RAGLEY.
Jan 24, 5:17 PM CST	TORNADO	4 S Ragley, LA

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

Issued	Product	Office	Lasted
Jan 24, 10:49 AM CST	Tornado Watch	SPC	7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Lake Charles Mun, LA (KLCH), launched 12:00Z, 11.2 hours before the alert went out and 43 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.

Mixed-layer CAPE: 0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL: 744 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 40 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 395 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 502 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

945 
WFUS54 KLCH 242311
TORLCH
LAC003-011-242345-
/O.NEW.KLCH.TO.W.0013.230124T2311Z-230124T2345Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
511 PM CST Tue Jan 24 2023

The National Weather Service in Lake Charles has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Southeastern Beauregard Parish in southwestern Louisiana...
  Southwestern Allen Parish in southwestern Louisiana...

* Until 545 PM CST.
    
* At 510 PM CST, a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado
  was located near Gillis, or near Ragley, moving northeast at 60
  mph.

  This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!

  HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

  SOURCE...Radar confirmed tornado.

  IMPACT...You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris 
           may be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile 
           homes will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes, 
           businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete 
           destruction is possible.

* The tornado will be near...
  Ragley around 515 PM CST.
  Reeves around 525 PM CST.
  Dry Creek and Leblanc around 530 PM CST.
  Harmony around 535 PM CST.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a large, extremely dangerous and potentially deadly
tornado is on the ground. To protect your life, TAKE COVER NOW! Move
to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid
windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move
to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying
debris.

&&

LAT...LON 3061 9278 3044 9305 3044 9306 3042 9308
      3042 9313 3040 9313 3040 9334 3044 9339
      3076 9301
TIME...MOT...LOC 2310Z 233DEG 53KT 3043 9329 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

78

4 follow-up statements

667 
WWUS54 KLCH 242316
SVSLCH

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
516 PM CST Tue Jan 24 2023

LAC003-011-242345-
/O.CON.KLCH.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-230124T2345Z/
Beauregard LA-Allen LA-
516 PM CST Tue Jan 24 2023

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 545 PM CST FOR
SOUTHEASTERN BEAUREGARD AND SOUTHWESTERN ALLEN PARISHES...
        
At 516 PM CST, a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado was
located over Ragley, moving northeast at 60 mph.

This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!

HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

SOURCE...Radar confirmed tornado.

IMPACT...You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris may 
         be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes 
         will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes, 
         businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete destruction 
         is possible.

The tornado will be near...
  Reeves around 525 PM CST.
  Dry Creek and Leblanc around 530 PM CST.
  Harmony around 535 PM CST.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a large, extremely dangerous and potentially deadly
tornado is on the ground. To protect your life, TAKE COVER NOW! Move
to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid
windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move
to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying
debris.

&&

LAT...LON 3061 9278 3044 9305 3044 9306 3042 9308
      3042 9323 3043 9328 3051 9331 3076 9301
TIME...MOT...LOC 2316Z 233DEG 53KT 3048 9321 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN

$$

78

834 
WWUS54 KLCH 242323
SVSLCH

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
523 PM CST Tue Jan 24 2023

LAC003-011-242345-
/O.CON.KLCH.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-230124T2345Z/
Beauregard LA-Allen LA-
523 PM CST Tue Jan 24 2023

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 545 PM CST FOR
SOUTHEASTERN BEAUREGARD AND SOUTHWESTERN ALLEN PARISHES...
    
At 522 PM CST, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Reeves, moving northeast at 60 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely.

This dangerous storm will be near...
  Dry Creek around 530 PM CST.
  Harmony around 535 PM CST.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile
home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and
protect yourself from flying debris.

Heavy rainfall may hide this tornado. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!

&&

LAT...LON 3061 9278 3046 9310 3049 9316 3055 9321
      3076 9301
TIME...MOT...LOC 2322Z 232DEG 52KT 3054 9312 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN

$$

78

809 
WWUS54 KLCH 242329
SVSLCH

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
529 PM CST Tue Jan 24 2023

LAC003-011-242345-
/O.CON.KLCH.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-230124T2345Z/
Beauregard LA-Allen LA-
529 PM CST Tue Jan 24 2023

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 545 PM CST FOR EAST
CENTRAL BEAUREGARD AND WEST CENTRAL ALLEN PARISHES...
    
At 529 PM CST, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Dry Creek, moving northeast at 55 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely.

This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
east central Beauregard and west central Allen Parishes.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile
home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and
protect yourself from flying debris.

Heavy rainfall may hide this tornado. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!

&&

LAT...LON 3061 9278 3054 9303 3062 9314 3076 9301
TIME...MOT...LOC 2329Z 232DEG 58KT 3061 9302 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

78

032 
WWUS54 KLCH 242336
SVSLCH

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
536 PM CST Tue Jan 24 2023

LAC003-011-242346-
/O.EXP.KLCH.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-230124T2345Z/
Beauregard LA-Allen LA-
536 PM CST Tue Jan 24 2023

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL BEAUREGARD AND WEST CENTRAL
ALLEN PARISHES WILL EXPIRE AT 545 PM CST...
                
The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer appears capable of producing a tornado.
Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire.  However gusty
winds and heavy rain are still possible with this thunderstorm.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 600 PM CST for southwestern
Louisiana.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
Lake Charles.

LAT...LON 3061 9278 3054 9303 3062 9314 3076 9301
TIME...MOT...LOC 2336Z 233DEG 53KT 3065 9295 

$$

78

The office that day

Everything else NWS Lake Charles, LA issued on the same UTC day.

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Jan 24, 4:36 AM CST	Coastal Flood Warning	LCH	Cameron	16 hr
Jan 24, 9:06 AM CST	Special Weather Statement	LCH	Jefferson Davis	24 min
Jan 24, 9:30 AM CST	Small Craft Advisory	LCH		33 hr
Jan 24, 9:39 AM CST	Special Weather Statement	LCH	Jefferson Davis	36 min
Jan 24, 10:02 AM CST	River Flood Watch	LCH		5 days
Jan 24, 10:02 AM CST	River Flood Watch	LCH	Allen	21 days
Jan 24, 10:02 AM CST	River Flood Warning	LCH	Acadia, Evangeline, Saint Landry	59 hr
Jan 24, 10:02 AM CST	River Flood Warning	LCH	Allen, Jefferson Davis	21 days
Jan 24, 10:02 AM CST	River Flood Warning	LCH	Acadia, Allen, Evangeline, Jefferson Davis	24 hr
Jan 24, 10:02 AM CST	River Flood Warning	LCH	Allen	48 hr
Jan 24, 10:02 AM CST	River Flood Warning	LCH	Beauregard	6 days
Jan 24, 10:18 AM CST	River Flood Warning	LCH	Beauregard, Calcasieu	48 days
Jan 24, 3:34 PM CST	Special Weather Statement	LCH	Beauregard, Vernon	41 min
Jan 24, 3:59 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	LCH	Calcasieu, Cameron	46 min
Jan 24, 4:12 PM CST	Tornado Warning	LCH	Beauregard	33 min
Jan 24, 4:22 PM CST	Flash Flood Warning	LCH	Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Vernon	3 hr
Jan 24, 4:23 PM CST	Special Marine Warning	LCH		112 min
Jan 24, 4:24 PM CST	Flash Flood Warning	LCH	Calcasieu, Cameron	3 hr
Jan 24, 4:24 PM CST	Tornado Warning	LCH	Calcasieu	36 min
Jan 24, 4:31 PM CST	Tornado Warning Tornado observedConsiderable damage threat	LCH	Calcasieu	16 min
Jan 24, 4:38 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	LCH	Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis	67 min
Jan 24, 4:39 PM CST	Tornado Warning	LCH	Calcasieu	24 min
Jan 24, 4:55 PM CST	Tornado Warning Tornado observed	LCH	Beauregard, Calcasieu	22 min
Jan 24, 4:55 PM CST	Tornado Warning	LCH	Cameron	15 min
Jan 24, 5:05 PM CST	Special Weather Statement	LCH	Avoyelles	25 min
Jan 24, 5:05 PM CST	Tornado Warning	LCH	Calcasieu	23 min
Jan 24, 5:34 PM CST	Tornado Warning	LCH	Acadia, Cameron, Jefferson Davis, Vermilion	26 min
Jan 24, 5:55 PM CST	Flash Flood Warning	LCH	Allen, Avoyelles, Evangeline, Rapides, Vernon	3 hr
Jan 24, 5:57 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	LCH	Acadia, Lafayette, Vermilion	33 min
Jan 24, 5:59 PM CST	Special Marine Warning	LCH		2 hr

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Louisiana, 2023 Every tornado warning in 2023 Tornadoes in 2023

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.