Alert archive / Louisiana / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 51, NWS New Orleans, LA

May 11, 2026Saint James Parish, Louisiana

NWS New Orleans, LA issued this tornado warning at May 11, 2026, 8:10 PM CDT for Saint James Parish, Louisiana. It was in force for 17 min. 3 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 11, 2026, 8:10 PM CDT (01:10 UTC)
Expired
May 11, 2026, 8:27 PM CDT
In force
17 min
Issued by
NWS New Orleans, LA
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.75 in

County Saint James Parish, LA

The radar

The Hammond radar (KHDC), 61 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:12 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 11, 8:10 PM CDTTORNADO3 Sw Lutcher, LACorrects previous tstm wnd dmg report from 3 SW Lutcher. Home with minor shingle damage on Lena Street in Grand Point.
May 11, 8:20 PM CDTTSTM WND DMG2 Ssw Lutcher, LASt. John Parish Sheriff Office reported power outages in Paulina. Possible tornado. Time estimated from Entergy Power Outage map.
May 11, 8:20 PM CDTTSTM WND DMG3 Sw Lutcher, LAHome with minor shingle damage on Lena Street in Grand Point. Possible tornado.

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 tornado warning; the first came 0 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 nearest sounding before it

Slidell Radar S, LA (KSIL), launched 00:00Z, 1.2 hours before the alert went out and 102 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, Slidell Radar S, LA at 00:00Z on 2026-05-12Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 332 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Slidell Radar S, LA at 00:00Z on 2026-05-12The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -33 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 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
332 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-45 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
896 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
28 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-33 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
33 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

804 
WFUS54 KLIX 120110
TORLIX
LAC093-120200-
/O.NEW.KLIX.TO.W.0051.260512T0110Z-260512T0200Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service New Orleans LA
810 PM CDT Mon May 11 2026

The National Weather Service in New Orleans has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Central St. James Parish in southeastern Louisiana...

* Until 900 PM CDT.

* At 810 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located over Lutcher, or 11 miles west of Reserve, moving
  northwest at 10 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...
  Lutcher around 815 PM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or 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 3003 9069 3001 9072 3004 9084 3013 9076
TIME...MOT...LOC 0110Z 126DEG 8KT 3004 9074 

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

$$

MEFFER
2 follow-up statements
272 
WWUS54 KLIX 120120
SVSLIX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service New Orleans LA
820 PM CDT Mon May 11 2026

LAC093-120200-
/O.CON.KLIX.TO.W.0051.000000T0000Z-260512T0200Z/
St. James LA-
820 PM CDT Mon May 11 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM CDT FOR NORTH
CENTRAL ST. JAMES PARISH...

At 820 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Lutcher, or 12 miles west of Reserve, moving
northwest at 10 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
north central St. James Parish.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or 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 3007 9072 3004 9076 3004 9084 3013 9076
TIME...MOT...LOC 0120Z 123DEG 9KT 3005 9077 

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

$$

MEFFER
514 
WWUS54 KLIX 120127
SVSLIX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service New Orleans LA
827 PM CDT Mon May 11 2026

LAC093-120136-
/O.CAN.KLIX.TO.W.0051.000000T0000Z-260512T0200Z/
St. James LA-
827 PM CDT Mon May 11 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTH CENTRAL ST. JAMES PARISH IS
CANCELLED...

The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer appears capable of producing a tornado.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.  However, gusty winds are
still possible with this thunderstorm.

&&

LAT...LON 3007 9072 3004 9076 3004 9084 3013 9076
TIME...MOT...LOC 0126Z 126DEG 8KT 3006 9078 

$$

MEFFER

What forecasters said that day

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

NWS New Orleans, LA wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at May 11, 6:40 PM CDT, 1 hour 30 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Updated at 635 PM CDT Mon May 11 2026
  • Moderate to High confidence in showers and thunderstorms this afternoon and tonight, with localized flooding and a few strong to severe storms possible.
  • Finally start to dry out Tuesday as ridging builds into the area. Expect temperatures to increase again by mid to late week.
Area forecast discussion, May 11, 6:40 PM CDT, 1 hour 30 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service New Orleans LA
640 PM CDT Mon May 11 2026

...New AVIATION...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 635 PM CDT Mon May 11 2026

- Moderate to High confidence in showers and thunderstorms this
  afternoon and tonight, with localized flooding and a few strong
  to severe storms possible.

- Finally start to dry out Tuesday as ridging builds into the
  area. Expect temperatures to increase again by mid to late week.

&&

.SHORT TERM...
(Now through Friday)
Issued at 150 PM CDT Mon May 11 2026

Currently monitoring the convective complex moving over the
southeast LA Coast including portions of the southshore. This has
dropped an inch or two of rain already across the immediate coast
with some localized minor flooding taking shape in Grand Isle.
This is the first area of precip to monitor. The second is
forecast to develop in a few hours along the I10/12 corridor. This
will be the best chance for both an isolated severe storm or two
and hydro concerns. It appears New Orleans has escaped the
heaviest rain, which is good to avoid a hydro primer. However, if
a line of convection sets up and sits over town, hydro issues will
quickly develop with higher rates. Baton Rouge, same can be said
there especially considering they have been the "big winner" in
terms of rainfall totals over the last week or so. Additionally,
any additional heavy rainfall may have impact on local rivers as
well. As for watch headlines...uncertainty in amounts and
locations will preclude the issuance. However, WPC is becoming a
bit more confident upgrading the marginal ERO to a slight with a
slightly higher confidence in flash flooding along the I10
corridor.

As the trough upstream finally begins to spread east over the
region, the surface front that is currently stalled near BTR to
MCB will finally push through the region, which will clear most of
the precip out of the area. The GFS wants to hang onto clouds and
maybe precip a bit longer on Tuesday. Went with the cloudier
solution, but with much drier air moving into the region as the
upper levels transition to a dry northwest flow, think precip will
be a bit harder to materialize.

Upper heights begin to increase going into Tuesday and especially
Wednesday as a ridge builds over Texas. This will help promote a
warming trend...not to mention the lower rain chances will also
allow us to warm during the day. Additionally, surface winds will
drop as high pressure moves into the region. Finally, after
several active days in the last week, most of the short term
beyond the near term will be dry and rather benign outside of
warmer temperatures during the afternoon hours. (Frye)

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Friday Night through Sunday night)
Issued at 150 PM CDT Mon May 11 2026

The long term suggests an overall pattern change with upper level
flow becoming more zonal and as surface high pressure spreads east
of the region, expect a moderate return flow to develop going into
the weekend. This will continue to promote a warming and more
humid trend going into the weekend. Globals are mostly dry with
little QPF signal, but I cannot rule out a stray shower within the
moderate onshore flow. Any rogue shower, however, should be the
exception rather than the rule and mostly be confined to the
coastal locations where frictional convergence is maximized.
Otherwise, warmer conditions will continue into the start of next
week. (Frye)

&&

.AVIATION...
(00Z TAFS)
Issued at 635 PM CDT Mon May 11 2026

Ongoing convection will continue to impact BTR and HDC through 03z
with IFR visibilities and MVFR ceilings. This convection is
related to a slow moving front passing through the area tonight,
but will remain south of MCB which is now to the north of the
frontal boundary. Only light rain and ceilings of 500 to 1000 feet
are anticipated at MCB tonight. The area of thunderstorms
currently over BTR and HDC will gradually shift to the east and
impact HUM, MSY, NEW, and ASD between 04z and 10z tonight. GPT
will see these thunderstorms pass through between 05z and 11z.
Periods of reduced visibilities down to around 1 mile due to
heavy rainfall and lightning will be the main issue with the
thunderstorms. Outside of the storms, prevailing MVFR ceilings of
1500 to 2000 feet can be expected at these terminals through
tomorrow afternoon before drier air moves in and clears the cloud
cover out tomorrow evening. PG

&&

.MARINE...
Issued at 150 PM CDT Mon May 11 2026

South to southeast winds of 10 to 15 knots will persist overnight.
Anticipating at least one or two more rounds of storms through this
afternoon and into tonight with some strong to severe storms
possible across marine waters. Main threats will be wind gusts
greater than 34 knots and waterspouts. A frontal boundary will move
into the waters Monday night, bringing moderate offshore winds
through Tuesday before turning onshore again. Otherwise, marine
conditions through the rest of the workweek appear to remain rather
benign. (Frye)

&&

.LIX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
LA...None.
GM...None.
MS...None.
GM...None.
&&

SHORT TERM...RDF
LONG TERM....RDF
AVIATION...PG
MARINE...RDF

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 11, 2:47 PM CDT, 5 hours 23 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service New Orleans LA
247 PM CDT Mon May 11 2026

LAZ037-071-MSZ069-070-112015-
St. Helena LA-Northern Tangipahoa LA-Pike MS-Amite MS-
247 PM CDT Mon May 11 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF NORTHEASTERN ST.
HELENA AND NORTHWESTERN TANGIPAHOA PARISHES, SOUTHWESTERN PIKE AND
SOUTHEASTERN AMITE COUNTIES THROUGH 315 PM CDT
...

At 247 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Osyka, or 14 miles south of Mccomb, moving west at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 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 outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Greensburg, Magnolia, Kentwood, Osyka, Gillsburg, and Easleyville.

This includes the following Interstates...
 Interstate 55 in Louisiana between mile markers 60 and 66.
 Interstate 55 in Mississippi between mile markers 1 and 9.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

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

&&

LAT...LON 3114 9047 3097 9039 3081 9070 3107 9082
TIME...MOT...LOC 1947Z 068DEG 16KT 3103 9051

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

MEFFER
Local storm report, May 11, 6:42 PM CDT, 1 hour 28 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service New Orleans LA
642 PM CDT Mon May 11 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0640 PM     Flash Flood      2 SW Baton Rouge        30.42N 91.15W
05/11/2026                   East Baton Rouge   LA   Broadcast Media

            Local broadcast media relayed a picture of
            stalled vehicles at the South Acadian
            underpass at I-10.

&&

MEFFER
Local storm report, May 11, 7:46 PM CDT, 24 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service New Orleans LA
746 PM CDT Mon May 11 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0630 PM     Flash Flood      1 SSW Baton Rouge       30.43N 91.13W
05/11/2026                   East Baton Rouge   LA   Broadcast Media

            Broadcast media shared a photo of flooding
            on Corporate Blvd. in Baton Rouge.

&&

PG
Local storm report, May 11, 7:49 PM CDT, 21 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service New Orleans LA
749 PM CDT Mon May 11 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0630 PM     Flash Flood      1 E Baton Rouge         30.45N 91.10W
05/11/2026                   East Baton Rouge   LA   Broadcast Media

            Broadcast media shared a photo of flooding
            on Goodwood Blvd. near Independence
            Community Park.

&&

PG
Local storm report, May 11, 7:53 PM CDT, 17 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service New Orleans LA
753 PM CDT Mon May 11 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0630 PM     Flash Flood      2 N Westminster         30.44N 91.08W
05/11/2026                   East Baton Rouge   LA   Broadcast Media

            Broadcast media shared a photo of flooding
            on Airline Highway.

&&

PG

The office that day

Everything else NWS New Orleans, LA issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 11, 9:35 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningLIXSaint Charles, Saint John the Baptist70 min
May 11, 10:06 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryLIXSaint Tammany, Washington3 hr
May 11, 10:45 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryLIXSaint Charles, Saint John the Baptist75 min
May 12, 3:53 PM CDTRiver Flood WarningLIXEast Baton Rouge37 hr

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Louisiana, 2026Every tornado warning in 2026Tornadoes 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.