Tornado in Louisiana, April 23, 2000

High precipitation supercells developed along the leading edge of a dry line across eastern Texas which moved into northwest Louisiana. Numerous trees and power lines were downed as the tornado moved across the area. The most extensive damage was noted near Atkins, LA (2.5 miles south of Elm Grove on US 71), where one brick structure was almost totally demolished. Only pieces of two walls remained. The brick structure had 6 inch iron poles supporting the corners and these were bent and twisted. Near the brick building was a two story house which had its roof completely removed and most of its siding stripped off. A mobile home also on this property was completely destroyed and strewn across a field. Some trees that were left standing had their bark and leaves stripped off. Immediately adjacent to this damage, on the other side of US 71, another farm building was completely destroyed along with numerous trees leveled. Eyewitness accounts indicated that two tornadoes occurred with this supercell. The descriptions were consistent with those of cyclic, tornadic supercells. Only one injury was reported at this location. A mans' arm was lacerated to the bone by flying debris.