Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Louisiana, April 26 to 27, 2011

Several large trees were toppled and a few large limbs were broken off trees at the entrance of the Magnolia Chase Subdivision along Benton Road just south of the city of Benton. The tornado continued to the north-northeast where it broke off large limbs on a few trees along Benton road near Jacobs Trail. The tornado continued to the northeast where it snapped a tree at its base and knocked down a few large limbs along Palmetto Road south of the city of Benton. The tornado continued northeast where it toppled a large tree near the intersection of Larkin Street and Palmetto Road and finally dissipated. Maximum winds were estimated at 70-75 mph.

This tornado was a continuation of the tornado which first touched down in eastern Panola County, Texas. This tornado then moved across the state line into western De Soto Parish where it mostly exhibited EF0 to EF1 type damage. A few locations near Keachi, Longstreet and Frierson exhibited low end EF2 damage. Trees were snapped and uprooted as many as 3 dozen homes sustained minor damage with a few moderately damaged homes where carports were peeled back or trees fell on them. Several barns were knocked over or destroyed as well. The heaviest damage was located in the community of Frierson where widespread tree damage occurred and the tornado was at its widest point. Other damage along and just south of the tornado track is related to rear flank downdraft otherwise known as straight line winds. The tornado tracked into De Soto Parish across Belle Bower Texas Line Road State Route 3015 where trees were snapped off 4 to 6 feet off the ground and 2 tanks from a gas well were overturned. The tornado continued northeast crossing State Route 5 between Keachi and Longstreet then crossed Smyrna Road knocking over trees onto and around homes. The tornado crossed hwy 171 south of the hwy 5 and 171 intersection and followed along Jessie Lattin where a several homes were damaged and barns destroyed. The storm continued northeast crossing I49 where Red Bluff road crosses under. Numerous trees were downed and increased in coverage as the storm moved into Frierson. The tornado then entered southeast Caddo Parish. Maximum winds are estimated at 110 - 115 mph.

A house was caught on fire by a lightning strike along Keithville-Springridge Road. There was no report of any injuries.

Hail was reported just south of Stonewall.

This tornado is a continuation of the tornado that first touched down in Panola County, Texas and then moved into De Soto Parish and then Caddo Parish. The tornado crossed the Wallace Lake Bayou, entering Caddo Parish and crossed the intersection of Ellerbe road and Hwy 1 where several pecan trees were snapped. Maximum winds are estimated at 110 - 115 mph.

Hail fell on the Norris Ferry Road extension.

This tornado is a continuation of the tornado that first touched down in eastern Panola County, Texas, then moved into De Soto and Caddo Parishes in northwest Louisiana before moving into southern Bossier Parish. The tornado moved across Atkins Clark Road where a mobile trailer was flipped at a gas well injuring the occupants. The tornado continued northeast crossing Hwy. 154 and 157 intersection damaging trees and powerlines before weakening and lifting near Lake Bisteneau. Maximum winds are estimated at 110 - 115 mph.

Hail was reported in the Taylortown community.

Large tree branches were downed from winds estimated near 60 mph.

Trees and powerlines were downed onto cars near Lake Bistineau. There were no reports of injuries.

Hail was reported near the Lake Bistineau area.

Golf ball sized hail fell in the East Point community.

Numerous trees were downed onto homes and cars in the Ringgold community.

Trees and powerlines were downed in the Jamestown community.

The National Weather Service conducted a storm survey in Webster Parish, Louisiana near Dubberly and concluded that damage was the result of an EF1 tornado. Numerous trees were snapped and uprooted south of Sibley, east of Hwy. 371. The tornado continued northeast into Dubberly where several homes sustained roof damage. Numerous trees were snapped and uprooted along Hwy 531 north of Dubberly. The tornado lifted as it approached Interstate 20. The storm responsible for this tornado is the same cell that produced a 42 mile long track across Desoto Parish. Maximum winds are estimated at 95-105 mph.

Baseball sized hail was reported just south of Castor on Hwy. 153.

Golf ball sized hail fell in the Saline community.

Multiple trees were snapped and uprooted along a 5.5 mile track. A tornado touched down 7 miles west northwest of Quitman in Bienville Parish. The tornado continued northeast crossing Hwy. 147 and ending 8 miles southwest of Grambling near the Bienville/Jackson Parish line. Winds were estimated at 85-95 mph.

A few trees were blown over along Highway 818 between Clay, LA, and Woodville, LA, in far northern Jackson Parish with the initial touchdown of the tornado. The tornado then continued into southern Lincoln Parish. Maximum winds were estimated at 70-75 mph.

This tornado was a continuation of the tornado that first touched down in northwest Jackson Parish. The tornado paralleled Highway 167 to the northeast uprooting trees, tearing off the tops of trees, and knocking down large branches along the path. The tornado finally dissipated just to the northeast of the Ruston Golf and Country Club in the southern sections of the city of Ruston, LA, near Love Avenue. Maximum winds were estimated at 70-75 mph.

The EF1 tornado damaged was confined mainly to trees in rural areas of Claiborne Parish. Several trees were snapped and uprooted along the path.

This tornado was a continuation of the tornado that first touched down in northeast Claiborne Parish. The EF1 tornado damaged was confined mainly to trees in rural areas of Union Parish. Several trees were snapped and uprooted along the path.

Several trees and power lines were blown over just west of the intersection of Highways 556 and 144 in northeastern Jackson Parish by the initial touchdown of the tornado. The tornado continued northeastward along Highway 144 in western Ouachita Parish.|Maximum winds were estimated at 80-85 mph.

This tornado is a continuation of the tornado that first touched down in northeast Jackson Parish. The tornado continued northeastward along Highway 144 in western Ouachita Parish snapping several very large trees just northeast of the Indian Village community. The tornado continued to knock over trees, ripping the tops off of trees, and breaking large branches out of trees along Highway 144 until it dissipated just west of the city of Calhoun just north of Highway 80. Maximum winds were estimated at 80-85 mph.

A rainfall measurement of 7.17 inches was recorded by an observer approximately 3 miles south southeast of Monroe, Louisiana. The rainfall began falling around 10 pm on the 26th and ended at 3 am on the 27th.

Golf ball sized hail fell at Frierson Road and Interstate 49.

Hail fell on New Natchitoches Road at Hwy. 546.

The tornado initially touched down just southwest of the intersection of Highway's 594 and 139 knocking over several trees. It continued to the north-northeast along Highway 139 where it caused most of its damage off of Trichel Lane and Vinwood Road where large trees were uprooted and large branches broken off of trees. The tornado dissipated just north of the intersection of Highway 139 and Stubbs Vinson Road where it finally damaged the roof of a home tearing several shingles off. Maximum winds were estimated at 70-75 mph.

Several trees were downed across the parish including one down on a house in the Heflin community. There we no report of injuries.

Numerous trees were reported downed across the entire parish.

A roof was torn off a home at 596 Whitewood Road just north of West Monroe.

Numerous trees were blown down in the Garden District of Monroe near the intersection of Roselawn and 2nd Street. Shingles were also blown off homes in the area as well.

Several trees were downed across the entire parish.

The National Weather Service conduced a storm survey in Red River Parish near Hall Summit and concluded that damage was the result of an EF1 tornado. A couple barns were destroyed west of town north of State Route 514. Several homes in town sustained minor to moderate roof damage. The tornado crossed 514 east of Hall Summit where numerous trees were snapped onto the road. The tornado continued east crossing 371 knocking over a few trees before lifting east of 371. A sheriff deputy witnessed the tornado crossing the highway east of Hall Summitt and was blocked in from falling trees. Maximum winds were estimated at 85-90 mph.

Hail was reported in Hall Summit.

Numerous trees were downed on Hwy. 151 near Calhoun Cutoff Road in Calhoun, Louisiana. Large branches were downed along Hwy. 80 just east of Calhoun.

Several trees were downed near Bryan Drive and Good Hope Road in West Monroe.

Hail was reported at the intersection of Hwy. 546 and New Natchitoches Road.

Numerous trees and powerlines were downed throughout the parish.

Numerous trees were downed on Wall Williams Road, Kenny Lane and T John Road. Other trees were downed on Old D'Arbonne Road near Kiroli Park.

Shutters were torn off a house on Guyton Swamp Road southwest of Calhoun, Louisiana.

High water was covering the roadway on Caples Road 1 mile west of Hwy. 3033.

Water was entering homes on Wellerman Road at Clay Street in West Monroe.

Numerous roads were flooded and closed in West Monroe.

Numerous city streets were flooded and closed in Monroe including Louisville Avenue from 4th Street to North 10th Street. Lamy Lane was also closed. The Town and Country area off Hwy. 165 has nearly a foot of water covering the roadway.

The National Weather Service conducted a storm survey from Zwolle, Louisiana eastward to north of Many, Louisiana and concluded damage was the result of an EF2 tornado. The tornado first touched down along CR 3229 knocking over trees and destroying a shed. The storm continued east crossing Hwy 191 where a 200 foot communications tower was bent to the ground and trees were snapped and uprooted near some homes. Further east along Hwy 171 two homes were completely destroyed. One home was destroyed by a large tree while the other was by the wind alone. The tornado continued east along Parish Road 1216 snapping trees and damaging roofs to homes. A few homes had their roof peeled back. At least a dozen homes sustained damage along 1216. What appears to be a downburst occurred near the intersection of 1216 and 175 feeding northeast into the tornado track which continued along cedar grove road. The tornado began to occlude near the area around cedar grove road and rocky springs road. Maximum winds are estimated at 110-120 mph.

The National Weather Service conducted a storm survey in Sabine Parish in Louisiana and concluded that damage was the result of an EF1 tornado with possible multiple vortices. The tornado first touched down northeast of Many along Hwy 6 and primarily paralleled HWY 6 to just southwest of Many where it turned right and continued on a more eastward track towards Robeline in Natchitoches Parish. Damage throughout Sabine Parish consisted mostly of uprooted and or snapped trees in the northeast corner of the parish. This tornado continued into Natchitoches Parish. Maximum winds are estimated at 95-105 mph.

The National Weather Service conducted a storm survey in Natchitoches Parish in Louisiana and concluded that damage near Robeline was the result of an EF1 tornado with possible multiple vortices. This tornado was a continuation of the tornado that first touched down in northeast Sabine Parish. In Natchitoches Parish, the tornado produced damage near the Robeline Provencal Road. Along Hwy. 6, numerous homes were damaged largely from falling trees, however a few homes sustained roof damage from winds. Numerous carports were tossed or flipped. Numerous trees were snapped and or uprooted along the path as well. Southeast of Robeline along Robeline Provencal Road numerous trees fell on homes and cars where several homes were nearly destroyed. The tornado continued east snapping trees and moving into largely forested areas north of Big Hill Fire Tower Road. The tornado lifted shortly before reaching Hagewood south along Hwy. 117. This is one of two tornadoes which affected Natchitoches Parish where it is estimated that at least 100 homes received damage from the storms. Maximum winds are estimated at 95-105 mph.

Numerous parish roads were flooded and closed throughout the parish.

The National Weather Service conducted a storm survey in Natchitoches Parish and found evidence of an EF2 tornado. Maximum winds are estimated at 110-120 mph in the tornado. The tornado first touched down north of Flora along Hwy. 120 and headed north east snapping and uprooting trees. The tornado crossed and eventually paralleled Hwy. 478 just south of Natchitoches snapping trees and powerlines and knocking a tree into a brick home. The tornado knocked down powerlines onto Hwy. 1 and ripped up trees eastward along Lateral Road where one mobile home was moderately damaged by falling trees. The tornado weakened slightly as it crossed the Cane River and knocked over a few trees. The track continued eastward across the Red River into Winn Parish near the intersection of Hwy 71 and 477.

Evidence of a significant downburst occurred near Natchez in the community of Bermuda and Point Place. The width of the downburst is approximately 2 miles across from near Point Place to Bermuda with dozens of homes damaged and numerous trees snapped and uprooted. The worst of the damage was concentrated along Riverview Drive where moderate roof damage occurred to several homes including large trees into homes. Many homes sustained shingle damage however a few had portions of the their roofs peeled. The winds from this downburst continued east and affected the community of Montgomery in Grant Parish knocking over trees and damaging a few homes.

Several trees were downed throughout the entire parish.

A 45 year old man drove his automobile into a flooded intersection at Arizona Street and East Street. He was later found by 2 people drowned in his vehicle.

This was a measured gust at the Monroe Regional Airport.

National Weather Service storm survey team determined that the damage in Grant Parish during the early morning hours of April 27th was the result of a downburst. This was the same downburst which hit the communities of Natchez, Bermuda and Point Place in southern Natchitoches Parish. Numerous trees were downed around the Montgomery area with a barn completely destroyed and a few homes suffering minor wind damage.

The National Weather Service conducted a storm survey in Winn Parish and found evidence of an EF2 tornado. Maximum winds are estimated at 110-120 mph in the tornado. This tornado was a continuation of the tornado that first touched down in Natchitoches Parish earlier. The tornado crossed over the Red River into Winn Parish and took on more of an easterly track along Harrisonburg Road snapping and uprooting trees. The heaviest damage occurred near the community of Wheeling where the tornado grew to nearly half mile across and snapped nearly all the trees in its path. Several homes were severely damaged along Harrisonburg Road including a trailer which was flipped and destroyed. The tornado continued east crossing Hwy. 34 snapping trees and powerlines. The tornado knocked trees onto Hwy. 471 before lifting east of Hwy. 471.

Numerous trees were downed at Chenault Park just east of the Monroe Regional Airport.

Parkwood Drive in West Monroe was flooded and closed.

The National Weather Service conducted a storm survey in La Salle Parish and concluded that damage was the result of an EF0 tornado. The tornado first touched down on the southwest side of Tullos where an old building was destroyed when a wall collapsed and the roof caved in. Several trees were snapped off on both sides of Hwy. 165. The tornado continued east cross Hwy. 84 east of Tullos snapping a few trees. Trees were snapped sporadically along the track which ended near Hwy. 127 between Summerville and Olla. Maximum winds are estimated at 70-75 mph.

A person drove through a barricaded and flooded roadway at Plum Street and the Railroad underpass. The water was reportedly deeper than the car she was driving and she drowned.

Waist deep water was reported near the Glenwood Apartment Complex.