Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Texas, December 23 to 24, 2009

Name: Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Texas, December 23 to 24, 2009
Start: 2009-12-23T13:54
End: 2009-12-24T09:45
Location: Texas

December 23 to 24, 2009 · NWS SHV · 24 events in 12 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 2
Property damage: $11 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 24

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS SHV wrote it up.

A strong upper level storm system moved its way out of the southern Great Basin and into the Southern Plains during the afternoon hours of December 23rd. Strong southerly flow was found ahead of this storm system with dewpoint temperatures in the lower to middle 60s noted northward to the Interstate 20 corridor of northeast Texas and northern Louisiana. Impressive deep layer shear was noted in the warm sector across the region which was conducive for discrete storm cells during the afternoon and evening across northeast Texas. These storms spawned tornadoes and produced large hail across portions of northeast Texas. The storm system moved eastward during the predawn hours of December 24th with again, numerous storms producing tornadoes across southern Arkansas and northern Louisiana. In addition to all the storm damage...these storms were prolific rain makers with numerous reports of flash flooding across the region as well.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Shreveport, LA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Dec 23, 10:01 AM CST, 3 hours 53 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Dec 23, 10:01 AM CST, 3 hours 53 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SHREVEPORT LA
1001 AM CST WED DEC 23 2009

.DISCUSSION...
SURFACE FRONT CURRENTLY ACROSS CENTRAL OKLAHOMA WITH WIDESPREAD
SHOWER ACTIVITY EASTWARD ACROSS MUCH OF ARKANSAS...EAST
TEXAS...AND NORTH LOUISIANA.

WENT AHEAD AND EXTENDED FFA FURTHER SOUTH TO LINE UP WITH HPC
MODERATE EXCESSIVE RISK ZONE. THUSFAR...HIGHER RAINFALL TOTALS
ARE CONFINED IN THE GENERAL VICINITY OF THIS REGION ALONG A LINE
FROM TYLER TO TEXARKANA.

ALSO...WENT AHEAD AND TRIMMED HIGH TEMPERATURES DOWN A COUPLE OF
DEGREES ACROSS THIS AREA DUE TO CLOUD COVER AND RAINFALL. CURRENT
TRENDS INDICATE THAT HIGHS WILL HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME REACHING 70
WITHIN THIS AREA TODAY. /05/

&&

.AVIATION...
IFR/MVFR CONDITIONS WILL CONTINUE ACROSS MUCH OF THE AREA TODAY...AS
BOUNDARY LAYER MOISTURE CONTINUES TO INCREASE AHEAD OF THE NEXT
STORM SYSTEM. CURRENT OBS ARE SHOWING SOUTHERLY WINDS AROUND 10 MPH
THIS MORNING...BUT A SLIGHT INCREASE TO 10 TO 15 MPH MAY BE OBSERVED
THIS AFTERNOON. MOST IFR CONDITIONS WILL BE ASSOCIATED WITH
SHRA/TSRA ACTIVITY...AS CEILINGS LOWER WITH RAINFALL ACTIVITY. TSRA
ACTIVITY WILL BE ON THE INCREASE AFTER 18Z...WITH HAIL POSSIBLY
ASSOCIATED WITH A FEW ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS. A STRONG COLD FRONT
WILL PASS THROUGH THE AREA LATE TONIGHT FROM WEST TO EAST...WITH
STRONG THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOPING ALONG AND JUST AHEAD OF IT.
ESTIMATED FROPA FOR TYR/GGG 10-12Z...SHV/LFK/TXK 12-14Z...MLU/ELD
16-18Z. /11/

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 330 AM CST WED DEC 23 2009/

DISCUSSION...
ACTIVE WEATHER IS IN STORE FOR THE FOUR STATE REGION FOR THE NEXT
COUPLE OF DAYS AS A STRONG UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCE IS EXPECTED TO
MOVE THROUGH THE REGION TODAY INTO THURSDAY. WATER VAPOR IMAGERY
THIS MORNING SHOWS THE UPPER LOW NOW CENTERED OVER AZ/NM WITH AN
INITIAL SHORTWAVE APPROACHING THE FOUR STATE REGION.  THIS SHORTWAVE
HAS ALLOWED THUNDER TO BEGIN OVER PORTIONS OF EAST TEXAS AS SEEN ON
RECENT RADAR IMAGERY. THE UPPER TROUGH IS EXPECTED TO DIG INTO WEST
TEXAS BY MIDNIGHT TONIGHT.  AS A RESULT THERE WILL BE A SURFACE LOW
DEVELOP OVER NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS BY THIS AFTERNOON...WHICH WILL
NORTHEAST TO BRING A COLD FRONT THROUGH THE CWFA DURING THE
OVERNIGHT HOURS AND INTO THURSDAY MORNING.

THE CWFA NOW SITS UNDER THE WARM SECTOR WITH A WARM FRONT NOW
POSITIONS WELL TO THE NORTH OF THE CWFA INTO NORTHERN OK/AR. RADAR
IMAGERY SHOWS SHOWERS ACTIVITY INCREASING OVER THE FOUR STATE REGION
EARLY THIS MORNING...WITH THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOPING OVER EAST TEXAS
AS MENTIONED BEFORE.  THIS ACTIVITY SHOULD BECOME MORE WIDESPREAD
OVER THE NEXT FEW HOURS...ESPECIALLY OVER THE WESTERN AND NORTHERN
PORTIONS OF THE CWFA. THIS ACTIVITY IS BEGINNING TO SHOW
STRENGTHENING TRENDS...AND ARE BECOMING MORE SURFACE BASED.  THROUGH
THE EARLY MORNING HOURS...THERE WILL BE AN INCREASED RISK FOR THESE
STORMS TO POSSIBLY PRODUCE SOME HAIL. THIS ACTIVITY WILL ALSO GIVE
THE GROUNDS A STARTING POINT IN BECOMING SATURATED...POSSIBLY
CREATING A PROBLEM FOR HEAVY RAIN EXPECTED LATER THIS AFTERNOON INTO
EARLY THURSDAY MORNING.

THE POSSIBILITY FOR SEVERE WEATHER CONTINUES TO BE A POSSIBILITY
WITH THIS SYSTEM. FOR THIS AFTERNOON INTO THIS EVENING THERE WILL BE
THE POSSIBILITY OF SEEING THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOP AHEAD OF THE FRONT.
THIS WILL PRIMARILY BE OVER THE WESTERN HALF OF THE CWFA.
INSTABILITY WILL BE LIMITED...BUT THERE SHOULD STILL BE ENOUGH TO
PRODUCE STORMS WITH MLCAPES BETWEEN 500-1000 J/KG EXPECTED.  THE AREA
WILL SEE AN UPPER JET BEGIN TO APPROACH THE REGION THIS AFTERNOON
AND ESPECIALLY THIS EVENING...BRINGING DECENT DIVERGENCE TO THE FOUR
STATE REGION TO SUPPORT THUNDERSTORMS.  PWATS OF AROUND 1.5 INCHES
WILL PROVIDE PLENTY OF MOISTURE.  THERE WILL BE DECENT SHEAR FOR
THIS AFTERNOON INTO THIS EVENING.  THERE WILL BE A LOW LEVEL JET
PROVIDING AROUND 40 KTS OF 850 MB FLOW.  500 MB WINDS THIS AFTERNOON
AND EVENING WILL APPROACH 50-70 KTS.  ALL OF THESE FEATURES WILL
SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF SEVERE STORMS BY LATE AFTERNOON AND
ESPECIALLY INTO THIS EVENING. THESE THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE CAPABLE OF
PRODUCING LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS...IN ADDITION TO POSSIBLY A
FEW TORNADOES.

BETWEEN 00Z-06Z...A SQUALL LINE IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP AND MOVE INTO
WESTERN SECTIONS OF THE FORECAST AREA. DAMAGING WINDS AND HEAVY RAIN
WILL BE THE PRIMARY CONCERN WITH THIS SQUALL LINE. ALTHOUGH HAIL AND
AN ISOLATED TORNADO OR TWO CAN NOT BE RULED OUT WITH THIS SQUALL
LINE.  THE SQUALL LINE IS NOT EXPECTED TO MOVE TOO FAST.  IT SHOULD
REACH SHV...OR POSSIBLY A LITTLE FURTHER EAST BY SUNRISE THURSDAY
MORNING. IT SHOULD BE EAST OUT OF THE CWFA BEFORE LUNCHTIME
THURSDAY. THUS THE SEVERE WEATHER RISK SHOULD BE ENDING FROM WEST
DURING THE OVERNIGHT HOURS TO EAST BY LUNCHTIME THURSDAY.

IN ADDITION TO SEVERE WEATHER...HEAVY RAIN WILL BE A CONCERN. RAIN
THAT WILL BE RECEIVED THIS MORNING WILL ALLOW THE GROUNDS TO BECOME
NEARER TO SATURATION.  THIS WILL BE ESPECIALLY TRUE OVER THE
NORTHERN PORTIONS OF THE CWFA WHERE THE BULK OF THE RAIN IS EXPECTED
TO OCCUR THIS MORNING. WITH PLENTY OF MOISTURE MOVING INTO THE FOUR
STATE REGION...THUNDERSTORMS WITH THIS SYSTEM SHOULD BE EFFICIENT
RAIN PRODUCERS. RAINFALL TOTALS OF AROUND THREE TO FOUR INCHES ARE
HIGHLIGHTED OVER THE NORTHERN HALF OF THE CWFA BY HPC...WITH AMOUNTS
OF AT LEAST 2 INCHES ELSEWHERE.  WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED TO SEE SOME
LOCALIZED HIGHER AMOUNTS AS WELL...ESPECIALLY OVER THE NORTHWEST
WHERE STORMS MAY TRAIN THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING AHEAD OF THE
SQUALL LINE.  THEREFORE A FLASH FLOOD WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED
BEGINNING LUNCHTIME TODAY THROUGH 12Z THURSDAY MORNING FOR LOCATIONS
ALONG AND NORTH OF THE INTERSTATE 20 CORRIDOR. THIS WATCH MAY NEED
TO BE EXPANDED FURTHER SOUTH IF THOSE LOCATIONS ARE ABLE TO RECEIVE
ENOUGH RAIN TO GIVE THEM A STARTING POINT THIS MORNING.  WILL LET
LATER SHIFTS MONITOR THE SITUATION FOR THAT POSSIBILITY.

THE NEXT POINT OF CONCERN WILL COME DURING THE AFTERNOON THURSDAY.
THERE WILL BE MUCH COOLER TEMPERATURES MOVING INTO THE REGION BEHIND
THE COLD FRONT...WITH THE HIGH EXPECTED TO OCCUR FOR MOST LOCATIONS
IN THE MORNING. OVERALL EXPECT A DRY SLOT TO MOVE INTO THE REGION TO
CUT OFF ANY MOISTURE AND BRING AN END TO PRECIP.  HOWEVER...THERE IS
A BIT OF UNCERTAINTY AS TO HOW QUICKLY THIS DRY SLOT WILL MAKE IT
INTO THE REGION.  LOCATIONS ALONG AND NORTH OF THE INTERSTATE 30
CORRIDOR MIGHT POSSIBLY SEE ENOUGH MOISTURE REMAINING WHEN THE COLD
AIR MOVES IN TO SEE SOME SNOW.  FOR NOW HAVE JUST PUT IN A RAIN AND
SNOW MIX GIVEN THE LEVEL OF UNCERTAINTY.  BUT IF MOISTURE REMAINS
JUST LONG ENOUGH...SNOW WILL DEFINITELY BE A POSSIBILITY FOR THESE
NORTHERN LOCATIONS.

THURSDAY WILL ALSO SEE SOME WINDY CONDITIONS BEHIND THE FRONT.
WINDS WILL LIKELY REACH AROUND 15-20 KTS WITH HIGHER GUSTS DURING
THE DAY THURSDAY. IT IS LIKELY THAT SOME SORT OF WIND PRODUCTS WILL
BE NEEDED FOR THURSDAY.  BUT WILL LET LATER SHIFTS ASSESS THIS
SITUATION GIVEN EVERYTHING ELSE WE HAVE GOING ON TODAY.

OTHERWISE EXPECT DRIER AND COLDER CONDITIONS FOR CHRISTMAS DAY AND
THROUGH THE WEEKEND.  MODELS SUGGEST ANOTHER DISTURBANCE APPROACHING
THE REGION BY THE BEGINNING TO MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK.  THEY ARE
SUGGESTING A SURFACE LOW DEVELOPING OVER THE NORTHERN GULF OF
MEXICO...WHICH WOULD MOVE TO THE EAST NORTHEAST. AGREEMENT BETWEEN
MODELS ON THE TIMING OF THIS SYSTEM IS RATHER POOR.  SO FOR NOW WILL
JUST REMAIN CLOSE TO GUIDANCE POPS.  REGARDLESS...RAIN CHANCES
SHOULD BEGIN TO RETURN TO THE AREA BY THE BEGINNING TO MIDDLE OF
NEXT WEEK. /22/

AVIATION...
STRONG FORCING IS ALREADY UNDERWAY ACROSS NE TX AS THE FIRST OF
SEVERAL WEAK SHORTWAVES ROTATE OUT AHEAD OF THE MAIN UPPER LEVEL
TROUGH EXPECTED TO EFFECT THE TERMINAL SITES LATER TONIGHT INTO
THURSDAY. FOR THE TIME BEING...STARTING OUT WITH MOSTLY MVFR
CEILINGS WITH A FEW LOCATIONS WITH IFR CEILINGS. CONVECTION THUS FAR
HAS BEEN CONFINED TO THE TYR/GGG/TXK TERMINALS AND WILL CONTINUE
THIS TREND THROUGHOUT A GOOD PORTION OF THE DAY AS THIS IS WHERE
GREATEST LAPSE RATES SHOULD RESIDE THROUGH THE DAY. WHILE THERE WILL
BE BREAKS IN THE RAIN/TSTM ACTIVITY THROUGH THE DAY...WILL PROBABLY
END UP PREVAILING THIS WEATHER INTO TONIGHT. CEILINGS WILL LIKELY
REMAIN LOW END MVFR/IFR IN AND OUT OF PRECIPITATION INTO TONIGHT AS
WELL. SOUTHEAST WINDS SUSTAINED AT 10-13KTS AREAWIDE TODAY WITH
AGAIN A FEW GUSTS ACROSS NE TX TERMINALS AS THIS IS WHERE THE
GREATEST PRESSURE GRADIENT RESIDES. /13/

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
SHV  66  51  52  30  51 / 100 100  60  10  10
MLU  64  54  56  32  52 / 100 100  80  10  10
DEQ  64  55  55  25  41 / 100 100  70  10  10
TXK  65  51  52  28  47 / 100 100  70  10  10
ELD  62  53  55  29  50 / 100 100  80  10  10
TYR  67  48  49  27  46 / 100 100  50  10  10
GGG  67  49  50  29  48 / 100 100  50  10  10
LFK  67  50  55  31  51 / 100 100  40  10  10

&&

.SHV WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AR...FLASH FLOOD WATCH THROUGH LATE TONIGHT FOR THE FOLLOWING ZONES:
     ARZ050-051-059>061-070>073.

LA...FLASH FLOOD WATCH THROUGH LATE TONIGHT FOR THE FOLLOWING ZONES:
     LAZ001>006-010-012>014.

OK...FLASH FLOOD WATCH THROUGH LATE TONIGHT FOR THE FOLLOWING ZONES:
     OKZ077.

TX...FLASH FLOOD WATCH THROUGH LATE TONIGHT FOR THE FOLLOWING ZONES:
     TXZ096-097-108>112-124>126-136>138-150-151-153.

&&

05/11

Hazardous weather outlook, Dec 23, 11:49 AM CST, 2 hours 5 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SHREVEPORT LA
1149 AM CST WED DEC 23 2009

ARZ050-051-059>061-070>073-LAZ001>006-010-012>014-OKZ077-TXZ096-
097-108>112-124>126-136>138-150-151-153-241230-
SEVIER-HOWARD-LITTLE RIVER-HEMPSTEAD-NEVADA-MILLER-LAFAYETTE-
COLUMBIA-UNION AR-CADDO-BOSSIER-WEBSTER-CLAIBORNE-LINCOLN-
UNION LA-DE SOTO-BIENVILLE-JACKSON-OUACHITA-MCCURTAIN-RED RIVER-
BOWIE-FRANKLIN-TITUS-CAMP-MORRIS-CASS-WOOD-UPSHUR-MARION-SMITH-
GREGG-HARRISON-RUSK-PANOLA-SHELBY-
1149 AM CST WED DEC 23 2009

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTH CENTRAL
ARKANSAS...SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS...NORTH CENTRAL LOUISIANA...
NORTHWEST LOUISIANA...SOUTHEAST OKLAHOMA...EAST TEXAS AND
NORTHEAST TEXAS.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT...

STRONG AND SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED LATE THIS AFTERNOON
THROUGH EARLY THURSDAY MORNING AS A DEVELOPING STORM SYSTEM ACROSS
THE SOUTHERN PLAINS IS FORECAST TO DRAG A STRONG COLD FRONT
THROUGH THE FOUR STATE REGION. SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS COULD AFFECT
LOCATIONS ALONG AND WEST OF A HOPE ARKANSAS TO BOSSIER CITY
LOUISIANA TO MANY LOUISIANA LINE. DAMAGING WINDS...LARGE HAIL AND
ISOLATED TORNADOES WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH THESE THUNDERSTORMS.

BY LATE THIS EVENING...THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP INTO
A SQUALL LINE AND MOVE EASTWARD. THE MAIN THREAT OF SEVERE WEATHER
WILL TRANSITION MORE TO DAMAGING WINDS AND HEAVY RAIN AS THE
SQUALL LINE DEVELOPS...ALTHOUGH ISOLATED TORNADOES AND LARGE HAIL
STILL REMAIN POSSIBLE.

HEAVY RAINFALL FROM 3 TO 4 INCHES...WITH LOCALLY HIGHER
AMOUNTS...WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH THIS ACTIVITY. THIS RAINFALL
COULD LEAD TO FLOODING PROBLEMS...ESPECIALLY FOR LOW LYING AND
POOR DRAINAGE AREAS.

AT THIS TIME...THE SQUALL LINE IS EXPECTED TO MOVE ACROSS EAST
TEXAS AND SOUTHEAST OKLAHOMA LATE THIS EVENING INTO EARLY THURSDAY
MORNING...CROSSING INTO NORTHERN LOUISIANA AND SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS
BY SUNRISE THURSDAY MORNING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY...

THE SQUALL LINE IS EXPECTED TO LEAVE EASTERN PORTIONS OF THE FOUR
STATE REGION BY NOON THURSDAY. BEYOND THURSDAY AFTERNOON...THE
PROBABILITY FOR HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS LOW.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

ACTIVATION OF STORM SPOTTERS...HAM RADIO OPERATORS...AND EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL IN SUPPORT OF SEVERE WEATHER OPERATIONS MAY
BE NEEDED THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING.

LAZ011-017>022-TXZ149-152-165>167-241230-
RED RIVER-SABINE LA-NATCHITOCHES-WINN-GRANT-CALDWELL-LA SALLE-
CHEROKEE-NACOGDOCHES-ANGELINA-SAN AUGUSTINE-SABINE TX-
1149 AM CST WED DEC 23 2009

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF NORTH CENTRAL
LOUISIANA...NORTHWEST LOUISIANA...EAST TEXAS AND NORTHEAST TEXAS.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT...

STRONG AND SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH
EARLY THURSDAY MORNING AS A DEVELOPING STORM SYSTEM ACROSS THE
SOUTHERN PLAINS IS FORECAST TO DRAG A STRONG COLD FRONT THROUGH
THE FOUR STATE REGION. SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS COULD DEVELOP BY THIS
AFTERNOON...AFFECTING LOCATIONS ALONG AND WEST OF A HOPE ARKANSAS TO
BOSSIER CITY LOUISIANA TO MANY LOUISIANA LINE. DAMAGING
WINDS...LARGE HAIL AND ISOLATED TORNADOES WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH
THESE THUNDERSTORMS.

BY LATE THIS EVENING...THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP INTO
A SQUALL LINE AND MOVE EASTWARD. THE MAIN THREAT OF SEVERE WEATHER
WILL TRANSITION MORE TO DAMAGING WINDS AND HEAVY RAIN AS THE
SQUALL LINE DEVELOPS...ALTHOUGH ISOLATED TORNADOES AND LARGE HAIL
STILL REMAIN POSSIBLE.

LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH THIS ACTIVITY TODAY.
RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF UP TO 2 INCHES CAN BE EXPECTED...ALTHOUGH ISOLATED
HIGHER AMOUNTS CAN NOT BE RULED OUT. THIS RAINFALL COULD LEAD TO
PONDING OF ROADWAYS AND LOW LYING AREAS.

AT THIS TIME...THE SQUALL LINE IS EXPECTED TO MOVE ACROSS EAST
TEXAS AND SOUTHEAST OKLAHOMA LATE THIS EVENING INTO EARLY THURSDAY
MORNING...CROSSING INTO NORTHERN LOUISIANA AND SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS
BY SUNRISE THURSDAY MORNING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY...

THE SQUALL LINE IS EXPECTED TO LEAVE EASTERN PORTIONS OF THE FOUR
STATE REGION BY NOON THURSDAY. BEYOND THURSDAY AFTERNOON...THE
PROBABILITY FOR HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS LOW.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

ACTIVATION OF STORM SPOTTERS...HAM RADIO OPERATORS...AND EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL IN SUPPORT OF SEVERE WEATHER OPERATIONS MAY BE
NEEDED THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING.

05

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Dec 23, 1:29 PM CST, 25 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SHREVEPORT LA
129 PM CST WED DEC 23 2009

TXZ167-232015-
SABINE-
129 PM CST WED DEC 23 2009

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SHREVEPORT HAS ISSUED A SIGNIFICANT
WEATHER ALERT...EFFECTIVE UNTIL 215 PM CST...FOR THE FOLLOWING
COUNTY...

IN EASTERN TEXAS...
     SABINE...

INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS...
     GENEVA...HEMPHILL AND PINELAND...

AT 127 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS ARE TRACKING
A STRONG THUNDERSTORM NEAR PINELAND...OR 24 MILES NORTHWEST OF
BURKEVILLE...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 35 MPH.

PEA SIZE HAIL...AND WINDS 30 TO 40 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM.

PARKER

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

12 tornado, 8 flash flood, 3 hail, 1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sabine

When: December 23, 1:54 PM CST
Where: Sabine County, 0.69 mi N of Hemphill
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 31.340, -93.850

Trees were downed at Hwy. 2024 and Tatum Road.

Hail, Cherokee

When: December 23, 2:03 PM CST
Where: Cherokee County, Rusk
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 31.800, -95.150

Hail, Cherokee

When: December 23, 2:20 PM CST
Where: Cherokee County, 2.72 mi ENE of Maydelle
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 31.820, -95.260

Tornado, Cherokee

When: December 23, 2:35 PM CST to 2:40 PM CST
Where: Cherokee County, 1.48 mi SE of Tecula to 2.83 mi S of Gould
Rating: EF0
Path length: 2.28 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 32.007, -95.180

An EF0 tornado touched down one mile northeast of Jacksonville Club Lake on the east end of CR 4218. One downed tree was observed with a few trees topped with large branches broken. The tornado tracked east northeast where more tree damage was|observed on CR 4222 and south of CR 4223. The tornado lifted after this point ending at 2:40 PM.

Tornado, Cherokee

When: December 23, 3:04 PM CST to 3:09 PM CST
Where: Cherokee County, 1.45 mi ENE of Henrys Chapel to 4.17 mi ENE of Henrys Chapel
Rating: EF0
Path length: 2.79 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 32.105, -95.026

An EF0 tornado touched down one mile southeast of Barrons Lake on CR 4619 just north of FM13. A couple of trees were downed and a few with large branches broken. The tornado tracked northeast where more tree damage was observed on CR 4621 just west of Cherokee/Rusk County line. The tornado lifted after this point ending at 3:10 PM.

Hail, Red River

When: December 23, 3:42 PM CST
Where: Red River County, 0.58 mi E of Bogata
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 33.470, -95.210

Tornado, Harrison

When: December 23, 4:39 PM CST to 4:56 PM CST
Where: Harrison County, 0.81 mi SW of Longview Hgts to 4.68 mi W of Walkers Mill
Rating: EF2
Path length: 7.03 mi
Path width: 200 yd
Property damage: $1.0 million
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 32.492, -94.690

An EF2 tornado touched down on the East side of Longview, just west of the intersections of E Cotton Street. and Industrial Drive. The tornado then tracked north northeast causing damage to several industrial buildings along Industrial Drive, it crossed Industrial Drive just south of Hwy. 80 causing significant damage to the Fed Ex building and other surrounding industrial businesses. The tornado then crossed Hwy. 80, causing significant tree and roof damage to several homes in a residential neighborhood. The track continued north northeast as the tornado crossed Loop 281 just south of Page Road. The tornado caused major roof damage to a home on Page Road before continuing northward. The storm continued to cause tree and roof damage in a residential area before crossing Peter Bonner Road near Sandy Lane. More tree and roof damage was observed as the storm tracked into a rural area, ending south of FM 449 on Keasler Road around 4:56 PM.

Tornado, Cass

When: December 23, 5:51 PM CST to 5:52 PM CST
Where: Cass County, 2.79 mi ESE of Avinger to 2.82 mi ESE of Avinger
Rating: EF1
Path length: 0.12 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 32.889, -94.504

A tornado touched down in a wooded area along County Road 1617 in southern Cass County, approximately 3 miles southeast of the community of Avinger. Low-end EF1 damage was noted as the small tornado traveled north-northeast, snapping and uprooting several pine and oak trees. In addition, numerous small branches were also blown down before the tornado lifted, still in a wooded area, approximately 50 yards from its touchdown point.

Tornado, Rusk

When: December 23, 7:16 PM CST to 7:17 PM CST
Where: Rusk County, 2.91 mi S of Pleasant Grove to 2.89 mi S of Pleasant Grove
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.11 mi
Path width: 150 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 31.978, -94.947

Several trees were uprooted and snapped along CR 4188.

Flash Flood, Cass

When: December 23, 7:54 PM CST to 11:30 PM CST
Where: Cass County, 0.61 mi WNW of Avinger to 2.43 mi SSE of Mc Leod
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.904, -94.559

Very heavy rainfall resulted in numerous road closures across the entire county.

Flash Flood, Cass

When: December 23, 8:10 PM CST to 11:30 PM CST
Where: Cass County, 1.8 mi SW of Linden to 2.3 mi S of Linden
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 33.000, -94.350

Flooding was reported on Hwy. 125 southeast of Linden, Texas, resulting in a road closure.

Flash Flood, Bowie

When: December 23, 8:10 PM CST to 11:30 PM CST
Where: Bowie County, 1.23 mi S of Eylau to 1.03 mi SSE of Eylau
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 33.382, -94.116

Flooding was reported on US 59 and Gun Club Road southwest of Texarkana, Texas.

Flash Flood, Cass

When: December 23, 9:06 PM CST to 11:30 PM CST
Where: Cass County, 2.68 mi NNE of Atlanta Muni Arpt to 1.25 mi ENE of Atlanta Muni Arpt
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 33.135, -94.180

Flooding on Main Street resulted in cars being washed over into sidewalks.

Tornado, Angelina

When: December 23, 9:56 PM CST to 10:07 PM CST
Where: Angelina County, 2.64 mi SSE of Lufkin to 1.41 mi NNE of Herty
Rating: EF3
Path length: 4.06 mi
Path width: 300 yd
Injuries: 2 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $10 million
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 31.314, -94.715

An EF3 tornado touched down on the south side of Lufkin, on Loop 287 near Olive Garden just west of the intersections Loop 287 and South Chestnut Street. The tornado then tracked north northeast causing roof and tree damage to several homes behind Morgan Insurance Company on Loop 287. The tornado continued its north northeastward track then crossed South Chestnut causing major damage|to Gibson Funeral Home. It then tracked northward through a residential neighborhood causing more tree and roof damage, before destroying Max Welding Shop on Denman Rd. The tornado crossed Denman Road moving through another residential area causing moderate to major tree and roof damage. The tornado then destroyed the VFW building just before crossing Lufkin Avenue. More residential damage was observed between Lufkin Avenue and Atkinson Drive. The tornado crossed Atkinson Drive causing major damage by tossing several 18-wheelers parked at a trucking|company on Loop 287. The tornado then crossed Loop 287, damaging Goodyear Tires and Jim Walter Homes. The storm then tracked north into a wooded area before reaching Kit McConnico Park and causing moderate to major damage to the park. The|tornado lifted on the northern end of Kit McConnico Park around 10:07 PM.

Tornado, Cass

When: December 23, 10:10 PM CST to 10:14 PM CST
Where: Cass County, 4.72 mi NE of Huffins to 4.73 mi SSW of Bloomburg
Rating: EF1
Path length: 2.13 mi
Path width: 150 yd
Continued into: Miller, Ar (SHV)
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 33.038, -94.062

Tornado damage consisted of numerous trees downed along the path. This tornado continued into Miller County, Arkansas.

Tornado, Nacogdoches

When: December 23, 10:37 PM CST to 10:38 PM CST
Where: Nacogdoches County, 2.3 mi E of Fitze
Rating: EF1
Path length: 0.49 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 31.779, -94.491

An EF1 tornado touched down on FM 95 just north of CR 289. Several trees were downed and snapped, and a small storage building was destroyed. The tornado tracked north a half mile then dissipated.

Tornado, Shelby

When: December 23, 11:26 PM CST to 11:35 PM CST
Where: Shelby County, 1.89 mi WNW of Meldrum to 3.82 mi N of Meldrum
Rating: EF2
Path length: 3.51 mi
Path width: 200 yd
Continued into: Panola, Tx (SHV)
Property damage: $250,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 31.930, -94.380

Several homes and metal outbuildings were damaged closer to the Timpson, Texas area. A travel trailer and barn was completely destroyed. Numerous trees snapped along the path as well. This tornado continued into southern Panola County, Texas.

Tornado, Panola

When: December 23, 11:35 PM CST to 11:49 PM CST
Where: Panola County, 3.92 mi SSE of Gary to 4.03 mi NW of Woods
Rating: EF2
Path length: 6.62 mi
Path width: 200 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 31.975, -94.353

This tornado was a continuation from northern Shelby, County, near Timpson, Texas. This tornado continued into southern Panola, County where it downed and snapped numerous trees.

Flash Flood, Panola

When: December 24, 12:04 AM CST to 3:15 AM CST
Where: Panola County, 0.99 mi NW of Carthage Co Arpt to 1.59 mi NE of Carthage Co Arpt
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 32.179, -94.314

Heavy rainfall resulted in very high water reported on Hwy. 79 east of Carthage, Texas.

Flash Flood, San Augustine

When: December 24, 1:20 AM CST to 3:15 AM CST
Where: San Augustine County, 5.88 mi NNW of Broaddus to 6.55 mi N of Broaddus
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 31.381, -94.300

Flooding was reported at the intersection of Hwy. 103 and FM 1277.

Tornado, Sabine

When: December 24, 2:10 AM CST to 2:12 AM CST
Where: Sabine County, 1.59 mi ENE of Pineland to 1.51 mi ESE of Pineland
Rating: EF0
Path length: 1.28 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 31.261, -93.956

Several trees were snapped and uprooted along FM 2426 east of Pineland, Texas. Numerous powerlines were also downed along both sides of the road. The tornado tracked north and crossed Hwy. 83 northeast of Pineland, snapping and uprooting several trees before lifting. Maximum winds are estimated at 70-75 mph.

Tornado, Sabine

When: December 24, 3:28 AM CST to 3:29 AM CST
Where: Sabine County, 0.57 mi N of Fairmount to 0.41 mi NE of Fairmount
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.29 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 31.208, -93.729

Numerous trees were snapped and uprooted along Lakeshore Drive east of the town of Fairmont, Texas. Several powerlines were also downed on either side of Toledo Beach Drive. Maximum winds are estimated at 65-70 mph.

Flash Flood, Sabine

When: December 24, 6:03 AM CST to 9:45 AM CST
Where: Sabine County, 0.72 mi SE of Pineland to 0.98 mi S of Pineland
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 31.243, -93.971

Numerous city streets were underwater in Pineland, Texas.

Flash Flood, Sabine

When: December 24, 6:03 AM CST to 9:45 AM CST
Where: Sabine County, 1.18 mi W of Bronson to 0.55 mi SW of Bronson
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 31.349, -94.020

Water was reported to be knee deep on FM 2856 near the town of Bronson, Texas.

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.
Flash Flood: Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Texas in 2009 Every state in 2009 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Texas, 2009 Warnings in Texas, December 2009

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 203013, 203011, 203012, 202999, 202998, 203014, 203000, 203010, 203007, 203015, 203016, 203017, 203018, 203002, 202995, 202994, 203008, 203009, 203039, 203040, 203006, 203003, 203042, 203043.