Alert archive / Texas / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 49, NWS Lake Charles, LA

May 23, 2026Jefferson County, Texas

NWS Lake Charles, LA issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 23, 2026, 7:23 AM CDT for Jefferson County, Texas. It was in force for 45 min. 1 report 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 23, 2026, 7:23 AM CDT (12:23 UTC)
Expired: May 23, 2026, 8:08 AM CDT
In force: 45 min
Issued by: NWS Lake Charles, LA
Area: Storm-based polygon
Hail: 0.88 in
Wind: 60.0 mph

County Jefferson County, TX

The radar

The Houston radar (KHGX), 87 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 12:27 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
May 23, 7:40 AM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	Fannett, TX	Photo received of downed tree in Fannett. Time estimated by radar.

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

Did it verify

Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched one storm report to this severe thunderstorm warning; the first came 17 minutes after it went out.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The text

As transmitted.

802 
WUUS54 KLCH 231223
SVRLCH
TXC245-231330-
/O.NEW.KLCH.SV.W.0049.260523T1223Z-260523T1330Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
723 AM CDT Sat May 23 2026

The National Weather Service in Lake Charles has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Southwestern Jefferson County in southeastern Texas...

* Until 830 AM CDT.

* At 723 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Stowell, or
  12 miles southwest of Hamshire, moving east at 15 mph.

  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and nickel size hail.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...
  Hamshire, Fannett, La Belle, and Winnie.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

Damaging wind and continuous cloud to ground lightning are occurring 
with this storm. Move indoors immediately. Lightning is one of 
nature's leading killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are 
close enough to be struck by lightning.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3003 9425 2973 9403 2960 9435 2989 9436
      2989 9444 2993 9444
TIME...MOT...LOC 1223Z 256DEG 14KT 2974 9447 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

Rua

2 follow-up statements

632 
WWUS54 KLCH 231246
SVSLCH

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
746 AM CDT Sat May 23 2026

TXC245-231330-
/O.CON.KLCH.SV.W.0049.000000T0000Z-260523T1330Z/
Jefferson TX-
746 AM CDT Sat May 23 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 830 AM CDT
FOR SOUTHWESTERN JEFFERSON COUNTY...

At 746 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Hamshire,
moving east at 40 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

Locations impacted include...
Hamshire, La Belle, and Fannett.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 2965 9423 2988 9436 2989 9436 2989 9437
      2995 9440 3002 9425 2973 9403 2966 9421
TIME...MOT...LOC 1246Z 250DEG 36KT 2981 9423 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

Rua

535 
WWUS54 KLCH 231308
SVSLCH

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
808 AM CDT Sat May 23 2026

TXC245-231318-
/O.CAN.KLCH.SV.W.0049.000000T0000Z-260523T1330Z/
Jefferson TX-
808 AM CDT Sat May 23 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHWESTERN JEFFERSON COUNTY
IS CANCELLED...

The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.  However heavy rain is
still possible with this thunderstorm.

&&

LAT...LON 2965 9423 2988 9436 2989 9436 2989 9437
      2995 9440 3002 9425 2973 9403 2966 9421
TIME...MOT...LOC 1308Z 256DEG 14KT 2983 9414 

$$

Calhoun

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Lake Charles, LA wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at May 23, 6:37 AM CDT, 46 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

An unsettled pattern will be in place into the Memorial Day Holiday weekend as the southern jet stream brings a series of upper level disturbances to work with a very moist air mass.
The showers and thunderstorms that develop will have the potential to produce high rain rates and there is a risk of heavy rainfall and flooding into early next week.
All interests in flood prone low-lying areas or flood prone urban poor drainage area, along with those along stream and river basins should keep aware of the latest flood risk forecasts.
A Flood Watch is in place for all of southeast Texas and southwest, central and south central Louisiana until 7 PM Monday (Memorial Day). It is likely that this watch will be extended into next week.

Area forecast discussion, May 23, 6:37 AM CDT, 46 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
637 AM CDT Sat May 23 2026

...New AVIATION...

.KEY MESSAGES...

- An unsettled pattern will be in place into the Memorial Day
  Holiday weekend as the southern jet stream brings a series of
  upper level disturbances to work with a very moist air mass.

- The showers and thunderstorms that develop will have the
  potential to produce high rain rates and there is a risk of
  heavy rainfall and flooding into early next week.

- All interests in flood prone low-lying areas or flood prone
  urban poor drainage area, along with those along stream and
  river basins should keep aware of the latest flood risk
  forecasts.

- A Flood Watch is in place for all of southeast Texas and
  southwest, central and south central Louisiana until 7 PM
  Monday (Memorial Day). It is likely that this watch will be
  extended into next week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
(Tonight through next Friday)
Issued at 1131 PM CDT Fri May 22 2026

A long-wave trough extends across much of the US as a series of
short-wave troughs moves across the Gulf Coast. These features
will provide broad dynamic lifting. At the surface, a high-
pressure system is located to our east with low pressure to the
north, leading to robust southerly flow. The southerly flow has
led to high moisture content at the surface, with dew points in
the 70s across the region. The warm, moist air mass will lead to
high temperatures in the mid-80s with overnight lows in the upper
70s. The worst part will be dew points in the mid-70s leading to
heat index values in the low to mid-90s.

The main concern for this forecast will be a multi-day rain event
with widespread heavy rain expected at least through Wednesday.
The WPC is placing the region under either a Marginal (level 1 of
4) or Slight risk (level 2 of 4). Saturday and Sunday look to be
the most concerning with a Slight Risk for the entire region.
Precipitable water (PWAT) will be well above the 90th percentile
and will be around 1.8 inches. The downshear Corfidi vector is
expected to be around 10 knots, highlighting the risk for slow-
moving or back-building storms over a particular area. In
addition, there will be a large warm cloud layer, around 13 kft,
with efficient warm rain processes setting up a situation with
high rain rates being likely. Forecast soundings show a tall
skinny CAPE profile with values around 1500 J/kg. This will be
sufficient to support deep convection, but with 0-6 km shear
values around 20 knots, the main storm mode will likely be
multicell storms.

With each round of heavy rain, the ground will be less capable of
absorbing the additional rainfall, leading to an increasing flash
flood threat each day. In addition, rivers will start to respond
to the extra rain and are forecast to rise over the coming week.

Through at least the middle of next week, expect rain each day
with the possibility of high rain rates as the upper-level
synoptic pattern remains unchanged going into the extended
forecast.

&&

.AVIATION...
(12Z TAFS)
Issued at 635 AM CDT Sat May 23 2026

A very unsettled pattern is expected during the TAF period.
Clusters of storms already developing and our expected to affect
the terminals this morning, then another wave this afternoon. MVFR
to IFR conditions along with gusty winds in and near the storms.

07/Rua

&&

.MARINE...
Issued at 1131 PM CDT Fri May 22 2026

Onshore flow will persist until at least the middle of next week,
with winds between 5 and 15 knots. Waves will be wind-driven and
should remain below 4 feet. Widespread showers and thunderstorms
will remain a concern for the remainder of the forecast; however,
most significant weather impacts will be felt onshore due to heavy
rain.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 1131 PM CDT Fri May 22 2026

Multiple rounds of heavy rain will continue to reduce drought
conditions. South winds will continue through the holiday weekend
and into next week with minimum RH values around 70% for the
remainder of the forecast period.

&&

.LCH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
LA...Flood Watch through Monday evening for LAZ027>033-044-045-055-
     073-074-141>143-152>154-241>243-252>254.

TX...Flood Watch through Monday evening for TXZ180-201-259>262-515-
     516-615-616.

GM...None.
&&

PUBLIC/FIRE/MARINE...14
AVIATION...07

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 23, 4:24 AM CDT, 2 hours 59 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
424 AM CDT Sat May 23 2026

LAZ154-254-231015-
Lower St. Mary LA-Upper St. Mary LA-
424 AM CDT Sat May 23 2026

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT CENTRAL ST. MARY PARISH THROUGH
515 AM CDT...

At 424 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms 7 miles northwest of Burns Point, moving northeast at
10 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to vegetation and outdoor
         objects is possible.

Locations impacted include...
Franklin, Burns Point, Baldwin, and Ellerslie.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 2961 9128 2951 9163 2954 9164 2956 9170
      2965 9177 2987 9160
TIME...MOT...LOC 0924Z 234DEG 8KT 2962 9165

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Rua

Special weather statement, May 23, 6:11 AM CDT, 1 hour 12 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
611 AM CDT Sat May 23 2026

LAZ154-254-231200-
Lower St. Mary LA-Upper St. Mary LA-
611 AM CDT Sat May 23 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN ST. MARY PARISH
THROUGH 700 AM CDT...

At 611 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles south of Patterson, moving northeast at 10 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to vegetation and outdoor
         objects is possible.

Locations impacted include...
Morgan City, Patterson, Berwick, Bayou Vista, Patterson Memorial
Airport, and Amelia.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 2962 9112 2961 9112 2961 9114 2959 9116
      2961 9118 2960 9121 2958 9123 2956 9123
      2954 9127 2947 9127 2944 9131 2956 9148
      2977 9133 2977 9130 2963 9108
TIME...MOT...LOC 1111Z 218DEG 10KT 2956 9133

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Rua

Special weather statement, May 23, 7:18 AM CDT, 5 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
718 AM CDT Sat May 23 2026

LAZ152-252-231300-
Upper Vermilion LA-Lower Vermilion LA-
718 AM CDT Sat May 23 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL VERMILION PARISH THROUGH
800 AM CDT...

At 718 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Forked Island, moving northeast at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to vegetation and outdoor
         objects is possible.

Locations impacted include...
Abbeville, Kaplan, Forked Island, Erath, Delcambre, Meaux, Esther,
and Henry.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 2965 9231 2982 9249 3012 9229 2999 9199
      2995 9199
TIME...MOT...LOC 1218Z 214DEG 18KT 2982 9235

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Rua

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
May 23, 7:49 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	LCH	Jefferson, Orange	41 min
May 23, 8:12 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	LCH	Jasper, Newton, Tyler	33 min
May 23, 8:15 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	LCH	Orange	30 min
May 23, 8:32 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	LCH	Jasper, Newton, Tyler	43 min
May 23, 9:00 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	LCH	Newton	45 min
May 23, 9:12 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	LCH	Jasper, Newton	63 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Texas, 2026 Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2026

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; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.