Alert archive / Louisiana / Tornado Warnings in 2024

Tornado Warning 39, NWS Lake Charles, LA

May 16, 2024Iberia Parish, Saint Martin Parish, Louisiana

NWS Lake Charles, LA issued this tornado warning at May 16, 2024, 9:47 PM CDT for Iberia Parish, Saint Martin Parish, Louisiana. It was in force for 28 min. 8 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
May 16, 2024, 9:47 PM CDT (02:47 UTC)
Expired
May 16, 2024, 10:15 PM CDT
In force
28 min
Issued by
NWS Lake Charles, LA
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.75 in

Counties Iberia Parish, LA, Saint Martin Parish, LA

The radar

The Hammond radar (KHDC), 123 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 02:49 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

TimeReportWhereRemark
May 16, 9:49 PM CDTHAIL 0.5Saint Martinville, LAReport from mPING: Half-inch (0.50 in.).
May 16, 9:55 PM CDTTSTM WND DMG4 Wsw Parks, LAPublic reports residential window sucked out of its frame as the storm passed. Time estimated from radar.
May 16, 9:56 PM CDTTSTM WND DMGParks, LACorrects previous tstm wnd dmg report from Parks. Public reports large tree limb was blown off a tree that then hit the house. A heavy duty rabbit cage was flipped over, several trees were broken off in the yard and a section of fence was blown down. Time esti
May 16, 9:57 PM CDTTSTM WND DMGSaint Martinville, LAReport from mPING: 1-inch tree limbs broken; Shingles blown off.
May 16, 9:58 PM CDTTSTM WND DMG4 Ne Saint Martinville, LAPublic reports roof blown off of home in St. Martinville. Time estimated by radar.
May 16, 10:00 PM CDTTSTM WND DMG3 Nne Parks, LAPublic reports damage to a residence. Corner of a roof was lifted up with the storm passage. Time estimated by radar.
May 16, 10:00 PM CDTTSTM WND DMG3 Sse Breaux Bridge, LAPublic reports numerous trees blown down between Breaux Bridge and Parks.
May 16, 10:04 PM CDTTSTM WND DMGCatahoula, LAPublic reports numerous trees and power lines down around the Catahoula community. Time estimated by radar.

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.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
May 16, 2:39 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC9 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Lake Charles Mun, LA (KLCH), launched 00:00Z, 2.8 hours before the alert went out and 151 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-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Lake Charles Mun, LA at 00:00Z on 2024-05-17Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1243 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Lake Charles Mun, LA at 00:00Z on 2024-05-17The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 342 square meters per square second.1939587897117Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
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
1243 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-64 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
779 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
72 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
342 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
496 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
3.8
Supercell composite
18.2

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

648 
WFUS54 KLCH 170247
TORLCH
LAC045-099-170315-
/O.NEW.KLCH.TO.W.0039.240517T0247Z-240517T0315Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
947 PM CDT Thu May 16 2024

The National Weather Service in Lake Charles has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  North central Iberia Parish in south central Louisiana...
  West central St. Martin Parish in south central Louisiana...

* Until 1015 PM CDT.

* At 947 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located near St. Martinville, moving east at 60 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 dangerous storm will be near...
  Catahoula and Butte La Rose around 955 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Parks.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3013 9192 3015 9191 3018 9191 3029 9190
      3029 9160 3027 9159 3026 9159 3024 9157
      3023 9148 3020 9149 3019 9147 3014 9147
      3013 9146 3011 9147 3010 9145 3004 9145
TIME...MOT...LOC 0247Z 272DEG 54KT 3019 9182 

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

$$

Stigger/87
2 follow-up statements
895 
WWUS54 KLCH 170306
SVSLCH

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
1006 PM CDT Thu May 16 2024

LAC045-170316-
/O.CAN.KLCH.TO.W.0039.000000T0000Z-240517T0315Z/
Iberia LA-
1006 PM CDT Thu May 16 2024

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTH CENTRAL IBERIA PARISH IS
CANCELLED...

The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out 
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT for south
central Louisiana.

&&

LAT...LON 3006 9149 3005 9149 3008 9164 3011 9166
      3011 9168 3012 9170 3029 9169 3029 9160
      3024 9157 3023 9148 3020 9149 3019 9147
      3014 9147 3013 9146 3011 9147 3010 9145
      3006 9145
TIME...MOT...LOC 0306Z 272DEG 54KT 3018 9149 

$$

LAC099-170315-
/O.CON.KLCH.TO.W.0039.000000T0000Z-240517T0315Z/
St. Martin LA-
1006 PM CDT Thu May 16 2024

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1015 PM CDT FOR CENTRAL
ST. MARTIN PARISH...

At 1006 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 9 miles west of Bayou Sorrel, or 13 miles east of
Catahoula, moving east at 60 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
central St. Martin Parish.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3006 9149 3005 9149 3008 9164 3011 9166
      3011 9168 3012 9170 3029 9169 3029 9160
      3024 9157 3023 9148 3020 9149 3019 9147
      3014 9147 3013 9146 3011 9147 3010 9145
      3006 9145
TIME...MOT...LOC 0306Z 272DEG 54KT 3018 9149 

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

$$

Stigger/87
880 
WWUS54 KLCH 170310
SVSLCH

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
1010 PM CDT Thu May 16 2024

LAC099-170320-
/O.EXP.KLCH.TO.W.0039.000000T0000Z-240517T0315Z/
St. Martin LA-
1010 PM CDT Thu May 16 2024

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR CENTRAL ST. MARTIN PARISH WILL EXPIRE AT
1015 PM CDT...

The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and has exited the warned area. Therefore, the warning will
be allowed to expire.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT for south
central Louisiana.

&&

LAT...LON 3006 9149 3005 9149 3008 9164 3011 9166
      3011 9168 3012 9170 3029 9169 3029 9160
      3024 9157 3023 9148 3020 9149 3019 9147
      3014 9147 3013 9146 3011 9147 3010 9145
      3006 9145
TIME...MOT...LOC 0310Z 272DEG 54KT 3018 9144 

$$

Stigger/87

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 16, 7:13 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLCHBeauregard, Calcasieu62 min
May 16, 7:16 PM CDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatLCHAllen, Beauregard3 hr
May 16, 7:18 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLCHCalcasieu27 min
May 16, 7:26 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLCHAcadia, Allen, Avoyelles, Evangeline, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette and 3 more64 min
May 16, 7:39 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLCHAllen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Jefferson Davis51 min
May 16, 7:41 PM CDTSpecial Marine WarningLCH34 min
May 16, 7:52 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningLCHBeauregard, Calcasieu2 hr
May 16, 7:52 PM CDTSpecial Marine WarningLCH68 min
May 16, 8:15 PM CDTSpecial Marine WarningLCH90 min
May 16, 8:21 PM CDTTornado WarningLCHCalcasieu, Jefferson Davis7 min
May 16, 8:26 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatLCHAcadia, Allen, Calcasieu, Evangeline, Jefferson Davis, Vermilion49 min
May 16, 8:31 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningLCHAllen, Calcasieu, Jefferson Davis104 min
May 16, 8:38 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatLCHCalcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis37 min
May 16, 8:45 PM CDTSpecial Marine WarningLCH60 min
May 16, 8:56 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningLCHAcadia, Evangeline, Saint Landry3 hr
May 16, 9:01 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLCHAllen, Cameron, Jefferson Davis44 min
May 16, 9:06 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatLCHCameron, Vermilion39 min
May 16, 9:10 PM CDTTornado WarningLCHCameron, Vermilion24 min
May 16, 9:13 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatLCHAcadia, Cameron, Evangeline, Iberia, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette and 3 more47 min
May 16, 9:27 PM CDTTornado WarningLCHLafayette, Saint Martin18 min
May 16, 9:30 PM CDTSpecial Marine WarningLCH60 min
May 16, 9:40 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Destructive damage threatLCHIberia, Lafayette, Saint Martin, St. Mary, Vermilion35 min
May 16, 9:49 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningLCHAcadia, Iberia, Lafayette, Saint Landry, Saint Martin, St. Mary and 1 more2 hr
May 16, 10:02 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLCHSaint Landry, Saint Martin12 min
May 16, 10:07 PM CDTAreal Flood WarningLCHAcadia, Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Jefferson Davis, Vernon7 hr
May 16, 10:12 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatLCHIberia, Lafayette, Saint Martin, St. Mary63 min
May 16, 10:28 PM CDTSpecial Marine WarningLCH62 min
May 16, 10:48 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningLCHIberia, Saint Martin, St. Mary3 hr
May 16, 11:10 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLCHSaint Martin, St. Mary35 min
May 16, 11:41 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLCHIberia, St. Mary34 min
May 16, 11:59 PM CDTSpecial Marine WarningLCH31 min
May 17, 12:01 AM CDTAreal Flood WarningLCHAcadia, Allen, Evangeline, Lafayette, Saint Landry, Saint Martin5 hr
May 17, 12:15 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLCHAssumption30 min
May 17, 12:25 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLCHSaint Martin, St. Mary35 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Louisiana, 2024Every tornado warning in 2024Tornadoes in 2024

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.