Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Louisiana, March 20 to 21, 2012

Name: Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Louisiana, March 20 to 21, 2012
Start: 2012-03-20T10:36
End: 2012-03-21T12:45
Location: Louisiana

March 20 to 21, 2012 · NWS SHV · 58 events in 13 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: 0
Property damage: $2.2 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 58

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 vigorous upper level trough closed off across the Southwest United States leading up to the outbreak of severe storms and flash flooding across Northwest Louisiana during the late morning hours of March 20th and continuing into the morning hours of March 21st. While instability was not much of a factor for this event, shear was extensive throughout the atmosphere, especially in the lower levels. As a result, tornadoes developed in the large rain area that encompassed much of Northern Louisiana. The flooding was extensive across the northern half of the state 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 Mar 20, 9:30 AM CST, 1 hour 6 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 20, 9:30 AM CST, 1 hour 6 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SHREVEPORT LA
1030 AM CDT TUE MAR 20 2012

.DISCUSSION...
CONVECTIVE LINE AND CORRESPONDING COLD FRONT ALONG A LINE FROM
NASHVILLE ARKANSAS TO SHREVEPORT SOUTHWARD TO JASPER TEXAS. LINE
MOVING VERY LITTLE AT THIS TIME. INCREASED INSTABILITY AND
SHEAR...COMBINED WITH AFTERNOON HEATING...ALONG THE BOUNDARY MAY RESULT
IN AN ENVIRONMENT CONDUCIVE TO TORNADIC DEVELOPMENT...MAINLY ALONG
THE SABINE RIVER AND AS FAR NORTH ANS SHREVEPORT/BOSSIER METRO AREA.
WENT AHEAD AND ISSUED A CORRESPONDING TORNADO WATCH 92.
ADDITIONALLY...WENT AHEAD AND CANCELED PORTIONS OF THE LAKE WIND
ADVISORY WEST OF THE FRONTAL BOUNDARY. /05/

&&

.AVIATION...
IFR AND MVFR FLIGHT CATEGORIES ARE BEING EXPERIENCED AT A NUMBER OF
OUR SITES THIS MORNING.  CONDITIONS WILL BEGIN OR CONTINUE TO
DETERIORATE FROM TXK TO SHV AND SITES WEST AND SOUTH.  AS THE DAY
PROGRESSES MORE SITES EAST WILL BEGIN TO EXPERIENCE THESE SAME
CONDITIONS.  THE PREVAILING WIND WILL REMAIN SOUTHERLY ACROSS THE
AREA AT 15 TO 25 KTS...BUT COULD BE MUCH STRONGER AND VARIABLE NEAR
+TSRA ACTIVITY. /23/

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 409 AM CDT TUE MAR 20 2012/

DISCUSSION...
CLOSED UPPER LOW CENTERED OVER EASTERN NEW MEXICO THIS MORNING
WILL DRIFT SLOWLY EAST OVER THE NEXT 24 HOURS. MODELS AGREE ON A
LOCATION AROUND KSPS. THIS WILL ALLOW A SLOW MOVEMENT OF THE
WIDESPREAD TEXAS CONVECTION...NOW LOCATED FROM NEAR KLRD TO KTXK...
TO SHIFT EAST INTO NORTH LOUISIANA AND SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS. WILL
KEEP THE CURRENT FLASH FLOOD WATCH AS IS...WHICH BASICALLY
FOLLOWS THIS SLOW MOVEMENT. WIDESPREAD SEVERE WEATHER LOOKS UNLIKELY...
AS A CAPPED ATMOSPHERE CONTINUES AHEAD OF THE CONVECTION...WHERE THE
WARMER SURFACE TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED THIS AFTERNOON.
HOWEVER...WITH A 60 KT LOW LEVEL JET IN PLACE...DAMAGING WIND IS
POSSIBLE IN ANY THUNDERSTORM. ALSO LOW LEVEL WIND SHEAR WOULD BE
CONDUCIVE TO ROTATING STORMS...BUT IF COOL OUTFLOW FROM EXISTING
CONVECTION OVERTAKES THE HIGHER TEMPS AND DEWPOINTS...CHANCES OF
A SPIN UP WOULD BE GREATLY DIMINISHED. ON WEDNESDAY...THE
EASTWARD PROGRESSION OF THE UPPER LOW STOPS...SO RAINFALL LIKELY
TO CONTINUE ACROSS MUCH OF THE CWA. RAINFALL RATES SHOULD DIMINISH
SOME...SO FLOODING MAY BECOME RESTRICTED TO RIVERS ONLY. BY
THURSDAY...DRY AIR IS ENTRAINED INTO THE CIRCULATION AROUND THE
LOW...WITH RAIN CHANCES DECREASING AREA WIDE. ON FRIDAY...THE LOW
MOVES NORTHEAST...LEAVING DRY AIR OVER THE CWA FOR THE REMAINDER
OF THE SEVEN DAY FORECAST PERIOD.

TEMPERATURES WILL BE DIFFICULT TO PREDICT TODAY...AS COOL OUTFLOW
FROM CURRENT CONVECTION SPREADS EAST. THINK THERE WILL A SHARP
LINE SET UP BETWEEN THE CONVECTIVE OUTFLOW AND WARM AIR...BUT THE
LOCATION IS A GUESS...WITH WARM AIR POSSIBLY SHIFTING BACK WEST IN
THE AFTERNOON. WITH SOUTHERLY SURFACE WIND EXPECTED TO CONTINUE IN
THE SHORT TERM...TRENDED ABOVE GUIDANCE UNTIL THE SYSTEM LEAVES
THE AREA.

MVFR/VFR FLIGHT CATEGORIES ARE BEING OBSERVED ACROSS THE AREA THIS
MORNING...AS WE CONTINUE TO WAIT ON TSRA ACTIVITY TO MOVE DEEP INTO
THE AREA. TSRA ACTIVITY WILL LIKELY AFFECT THE TYR AND TXK TERMINALS
BEFORE THE 12Z ISSUANCE. BOTH THESE TERMINALS ARE REPORTING
LIGHTNING WITHIN DISTANCE. A WET FORECAST IS STILL IN STORE FOR MANY
OF THE ARKLATEX TERMINALS TODAY...AS TSRA WILL BE COMMON THROUGHOUT
THE 12Z TAF PERIOD. VFR FLIGHT CATEGORIES WILL PREVAIL AFTER 15Z
ACROSS MUCH OF THE AREA...EXCEPT WHEN TSRA ACTIVITY IS OCCURRING
MVFR/IFR WILL BE MORE COMMON FOR CIG AND VSBY. THE PREVAILING WIND
WILL REMAIN SOUTHERLY ACROSS THE AREA AT 15 TO 25 KTS...BUT COULD BE
MUCH STRONGER AND VARIABLE NEAR +TSRA ACTIVITY. /11/

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
SHV  78  59  69  51  76 /  90  90  70  40  10
MLU  82  67  72  55  73 /  70  90  90  60  10
DEQ  66  50  65  48  69 / 100  80  50  40  10
TXK  76  55  67  50  71 /  90  80  60  40  10
ELD  81  65  69  50  73 /  90  90  70  60  10
TYR  66  51  67  53  74 / 100  40  30  20  10
GGG  71  54  69  51  76 / 100  70  50  20  10
LFK  78  60  69  50  78 / 100  70  60  20  10

&&

.SHV WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AR...FLASH FLOOD WATCH THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING FOR THE FOLLOWING
     ZONES: ARZ061-071>073.

     LAKE WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING
     ZONES: ARZ072-073.

     FLASH FLOOD WATCH THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING FOR THE FOLLOWING
     ZONES: ARZ050-051-059-060-070.

LA...FLASH FLOOD WATCH THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING FOR THE FOLLOWING
     ZONES: LAZ001>006-010>014-017>022.

     LAKE WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING
     ZONES: LAZ003>006-011>014-017>022.

OK...FLASH FLOOD WATCH THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING FOR THE FOLLOWING
     ZONES: OKZ077.

TX...FLASH FLOOD WATCH THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING FOR THE FOLLOWING
     ZONES: TXZ152-153-165>167.

     LAKE WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING
     ZONES: TXZ167.

     FLASH FLOOD WATCH THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING FOR THE FOLLOWING
     ZONES: TXZ096-097-108>112-124>126-136>138-149>151.

&&

05/23

Hazardous weather outlook, Mar 20, 4:43 AM CST, 5 hours 53 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SHREVEPORT LA
543 AM CDT TUE MAR 20 2012

ARZ050-051-059-060-070-OKZ077-TXZ096-097-108>112-124>126-136>138-
149>151-201700-
SEVIER-HOWARD-LITTLE RIVER-HEMPSTEAD-MILLER-MCCURTAIN-RED RIVER-
BOWIE-FRANKLIN-TITUS-CAMP-MORRIS-CASS-WOOD-UPSHUR-MARION-SMITH-
GREGG-HARRISON-CHEROKEE-RUSK-PANOLA-
543 AM CDT TUE MAR 20 2012

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHWEST
ARKANSAS...SOUTHEAST OKLAHOMA AND NORTHEAST TEXAS.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT...

THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT MUCH OF NORTHEAST TEXAS...SOUTHEAST
OKLAHOMA AND SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS TODAY AND TONIGHT. A FEW STORMS
MAY BECOME SEVERE THIS AFTERNOON...WITH DAMAGING WIND THE MAIN
THREAT. FLASH FLOODING IS ALSO POSSIBLE AS STORMS CONTINUE TO
DEVELOP AND MOVE ACROSS THE SAME AREAS. RAINFALL TOTALS
TODAY AND TONIGHT OF UP TO 4 INCHES ARE LIKELY.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY...

THE THREAT FOR FLASH FLOODING WILL CONTINUE INTO WEDNESDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED TODAY AND TONIGHT.

ARZ061-071>073-LAZ001>006-010>014-017>022-TXZ152-153-165>167-
201700-
NEVADA-LAFAYETTE-COLUMBIA-UNION AR-CADDO-BOSSIER-WEBSTER-
CLAIBORNE-LINCOLN-UNION LA-DE SOTO-RED RIVER-BIENVILLE-JACKSON-
OUACHITA-SABINE LA-NATCHITOCHES-WINN-GRANT-CALDWELL-LA SALLE-
NACOGDOCHES-SHELBY-ANGELINA-SAN AUGUSTINE-SABINE TX-
543 AM CDT TUE MAR 20 2012

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

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT...

THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT MUCH OF DEEP EAST TEXAS...NORTH
LOUISIANA AND SOUTH CENTRAL ARKANSAS LATER TODAY AND TONIGHT.
A FEW STORMS MAY BECOME SEVERE THIS AFTERNOON...WITH DAMAGING
WIND THE MAIN THREAT. FLASH FLOODING IS ALSO POSSIBLE AS STORMS
CONTINUE TO DEVELOP AND MOVE ACROSS THE SAME AREAS. RAINFALL
TOTALS THROUGH TONIGHT OF UP TO 3 INCHES ARE LIKELY.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY...

THE THREAT FOR FLASH FLOODING WILL CONTINUE INTO WEDNESDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED TODAY AND TONIGHT.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Mar 20, 5:58 AM CST, 4 hours 38 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SHREVEPORT LA
658 AM CDT TUE MAR 20 2012

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

0630 AM     FLASH FLOOD      2 NE QUITMAN            32.82N 95.42W
03/20/2012                   WOOD               TX   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            FM 69 CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

0630 AM     FLASH FLOOD      QUITMAN                 32.80N 95.44W
03/20/2012                   WOOD               TX   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            COUNTY ROAD 2110 CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

0630 AM     FLASH FLOOD      1 S QUITMAN             32.78N 95.44W
03/20/2012                   WOOD               TX   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            COUNTY ROAD 2128 CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

0630 AM     FLASH FLOOD      3 N QUITMAN             32.84N 95.44W
03/20/2012                   WOOD               TX   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            COUNTY ROAD 1410 CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

0630 AM     FLASH FLOOD      2 S WINNSBORO           32.93N 95.29W
03/20/2012                   WOOD               TX   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            FM 312 CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

&&

12

Local storm report, Mar 20, 7:02 AM CST, 3 hours 34 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SHREVEPORT LA
802 AM CDT TUE MAR 20 2012

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

0458 AM     FLASH FLOOD      MINEOLA                 32.67N 95.49W
03/20/2012                   WOOD               TX   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            NUMEROUS ROADS CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING ALL OVER THE
            COUNTY.

&&

25

Local storm report, Mar 20, 8:26 AM CST, 2 hours 10 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SHREVEPORT LA
926 AM CDT TUE MAR 20 2012

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

0915 AM     FLASH FLOOD      1 S LINDALE             32.49N 95.41W
03/20/2012                   SMITH              TX   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            COUNTY ROAD 463 CLOSED UNDER I-20 DUE TO HIGH WATER

&&

12

Local storm report, Mar 20, 8:29 AM CST, 2 hours 7 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...CORRECTED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SHREVEPORT LA
929 AM CDT TUE MAR 20 2012

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

0815 AM     FLASH FLOOD      MINEOLA                 32.67N 95.49W
03/20/2012                   WOOD               TX   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            NUMEROUS ROADS CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING ALL OVER THE
            COUNTY.

&&

12

Local storm report, Mar 20, 9:15 AM CST, 1 hour 21 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SHREVEPORT LA
1015 AM CDT TUE MAR 20 2012

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

0800 AM     FLASH FLOOD      MOUNT VERNON            33.17N 95.22W
03/20/2012                   FRANKLIN           TX   EMERGENCY MNGR

            A WOMAN AND TWO CHILDREN HAD TO BE RESCUED WHEN THEY
            DROVE THEIR CAR INTO HIGH WATER

1000 AM     FLASH FLOOD      MOUNT VERNON            33.17N 95.22W
03/20/2012                   FRANKLIN           TX   EMERGENCY MNGR

            NUMEROUS ROADS ACROSS THE COUNTY CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING

&&

12

Special weather statement, Mar 20, 9:27 AM CST, 1 hour 9 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SHREVEPORT LA
1027 AM CDT TUE MAR 20 2012

LAZ010-017-TXZ151-153-166-167-201630-
DE SOTO-PANOLA-SABINE-SAN AUGUSTINE-SHELBY-
1027 AM CDT TUE MAR 20 2012

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SHREVEPORT HAS ISSUED A SIGNIFICANT
WEATHER ADVISORY...EFFECTIVE UNTIL 1130 AM CDT...FOR THE FOLLOWING
COUNTIES AND PARISHES...

IN NORTHEAST TEXAS...
     PANOLA...
IN EASTERN TEXAS...
     SABINE...SAN AUGUSTINE AND SHELBY...
IN NORTHWEST LOUISIANA...
     SABINE AND DE SOTO...

INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS...
     LOGANSPORT...MANSFIELD...GENEVA...JOAQUIN...PATROON AND
     SHELBYVILLE...

AT 1021 AM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS WERE
DETECTING INTENSIFYING THUNDERSTORMS ALONG THE LEADING EDGE OF
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS. THIS ACTIVITY WILL MOVE ACROSS NORTHERN PORTIONS
OF TOLEDO BEND AND SURROUNDING AREAS...AND WERE MOVING NORTHEAST AT
45 MPH.

WINDS 40 TO 50 MPH ARE POSSIBLE WITH THESE STORMS.

VII

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

43 flash flood, 9 thunderstorm wind, 6 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Tornado, Sabine

When: March 20, 10:36 AM CST to 10:41 AM CST
Where: Sabine County, 5.28 mi SSW of Belmont to 2.27 mi SSW of Belmont
Rating: EF0
Path length: 3.01 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 31.645, -93.539

An EF0 tornado touched down east of Zwolle along Hwy. 1215 in Sabine Parish. Several trees were snapped and uprooted and a few powerlines were downed. The weak tornado continued northeast crossing Hwy. 120 near Belmont snapping a few trees and downing a few powerlines before lifting.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sabine

When: March 20, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Sabine County, 0.59 mi E of Florien
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 31.450, -93.460

Trees and powerlines were downed on Century Road and Plainview Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Natchitoches

When: March 20, 11:15 AM CST
Where: Natchitoches County, 1.81 mi NE of Marthaville
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 31.750, -93.380

Trees were downed on Hwy. 487 near Marthaville, Louisiana.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sabine

When: March 20, 11:15 AM CST
Where: Sabine County, 0.69 mi N of Mt Carmel
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.480, -93.380

Numerous trees and powerlines downed in Mount Carmel, Louisiana.

Thunderstorm Wind, Natchitoches

When: March 20, 11:30 AM CST
Where: Natchitoches County, Provencal
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 31.650, -93.200

Trees were downed on Hwy. 117 near Provencal, Louisiana.

Thunderstorm Wind, Natchitoches

When: March 20, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Natchitoches County, 2.15 mi SSW of Ashland
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.120, -93.110

Trees were downed on Hwy. 155 near Ashland, Louisiana.

Tornado, Natchitoches

When: March 20, 12:15 PM CST to 12:16 PM CST
Where: Natchitoches County, 3 mi SSE of Goldonna to 3.13 mi SE of Goldonna
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.6 mi
Path width: 75 yd
Continued into: Winn, La (SHV)
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 31.982, -92.896

An EF0 tornado touched down southeast of Goldonna LA along State Route 156. Several trees were snapped on both sides of the road and several powerlines were downed. More trees were downed on railroad tracks east of Hwy. 156. This tornado was part of several rotational signatures on radar within the warned area. This tornado crossed the Saline Bayou and continued into Winn Parish.

Tornado, Winn

When: March 20, 12:16 PM CST to 12:18 PM CST
Where: Winn County, 0.5 mi NW of Coldwater to 1.36 mi NE of Coldwater
Rating: EF0
Path length: 1.51 mi
Path width: 75 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 31.985, -92.886

This tornado is a continuation of the storm that first touched down in Natchitoches Parish. An EF0 tornado touched down southeast of Goldonna LA along State Route 156. Several trees were snapped on both sides of the road and several powerlines were downed. More trees were downed on railroad tracks east of Hwy. 156. This tornado was part of several rotational signatures on radar within the warned area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Winn

When: March 20, 12:45 PM CST
Where: Winn County, 1.76 mi W of Winnfield Joyce Arpt
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 31.950, -92.680

Trees were downed on Hwy. 156 between Winnfield and Calvin.

Thunderstorm Wind, Winn

When: March 20, 12:55 PM CST
Where: Winn County, 0.59 mi W of Winnfield
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 31.920, -92.640

Trees were downed on Hwy. 34 and 1231 converging near Winnfield, Louisiana.

Thunderstorm Wind, Union

When: March 20, 1:15 PM CST
Where: Union County, 0.9 mi NE of Canbeal
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.830, -92.340

A tree was downed on a house along Peace Road. There were no report of injuries.

Flash Flood, Natchitoches

When: March 20, 2:15 PM CST to March 21, 5:45 AM CST
Where: Natchitoches County, 0.83 mi SSW of Bermuda to 0.67 mi SSE of Bermuda
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 31.659, -93.005

Water completely covering Hwy. 119 at multiple locations near and south of Natchez, Louisiana.

Thunderstorm Wind, Union

When: March 20, 2:45 PM CST
Where: Union County, 1.5 mi SSE of Marion
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.880, -92.220

A tree was down on Hwy. 143 near Rocky Branch blocking both lanes.

Flash Flood, Natchitoches

When: March 20, 5:05 PM CST to March 21, 5:45 AM CST
Where: Natchitoches County, 1.5 mi NNW of Melrose to 0.41 mi N of Melrose
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 31.620, -92.990

Highway 119 was closed due to flooding south and east of Natchez, Louisiana.

Flash Flood, Natchitoches

When: March 20, 5:30 PM CST to March 21, 5:45 AM CST
Where: Natchitoches County, 5.17 mi S of Powhatan to 5.28 mi NNW of Hagewood
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 31.795, -93.194

Posey Road was flooded and closed along a mile and a half stretch with a few feet of water covering the road in a few locations.

Flash Flood, Winn

When: March 20, 6:10 PM CST to March 21, 5:45 AM CST
Where: Winn County, 5.41 mi NNE of Atlanta to 4.8 mi NNE of Atlanta
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 31.870, -92.708

Harrington Road off of hwy. 1228 is covered in high water. Numerous other parish roads across the parish are flooded as well.

Flash Flood, Natchitoches

When: March 20, 7:40 PM CST to March 21, 5:45 AM CST
Where: Natchitoches County, 2.22 mi SSE of Natchitoches to 1.59 mi SE of Natchitoches
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.743, -93.059

Water covered Fish Hatchery Road just east of Natchitoches, Louisiana.

Flash Flood, Natchitoches

When: March 20, 7:40 PM CST to March 21, 5:45 AM CST
Where: Natchitoches County, 2.95 mi SE of Natchitoches to 3.12 mi SW of Luella
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $200,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.740, -93.044

Some mobile homes were flooded on Cedar Grove Drive.

Flash Flood, Natchitoches

When: March 20, 7:40 PM CST to March 21, 5:45 AM CST
Where: Natchitoches County, 2 mi NW of Hagewood to 1.47 mi NNW of Hagewood
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.737, -93.248

Water covered Old Bethel Church Road and the road was closed.

Flash Flood, Sabine

When: March 20, 8:00 PM CST to March 21, 5:45 AM CST
Where: Sabine County, 1.82 mi SW of Peason Dam to 1.64 mi ESE of Florien
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 31.400, -93.320

Water covered Hwy. 118 near the Peason community.

Tornado, Natchitoches

When: March 20, 8:28 PM CST to 8:29 PM CST
Where: Natchitoches County, 2.62 mi SE of Natchitoches to 2.57 mi SW of Luella
Rating: EF0
Path length: 1.04 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Property damage: $60,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 31.743, -93.048

An EF0 tornado touched down east of Natchitoches LA near the Cedar Grove Mobile Home Park. A tree was snapped along Hwy. 494 leading east into the mobile home park. Three homes sustained damage with one sustaining moderate roof damage. Debris was scattered east as the tornado crossed a field and lifted.

Flash Flood, Natchitoches

When: March 20, 8:58 PM CST to March 21, 5:45 AM CST
Where: Natchitoches County, 1.94 mi SW of Provencal to 2.32 mi W of Bellwood
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.627, -93.219

A 20 foot span of water was reported to be over Hwy. 117 between Bellwood and Provencal.

Flash Flood, Sabine

When: March 20, 9:10 PM CST to March 21, 5:45 AM CST
Where: Sabine County, 2.15 mi W of Many to 1.13 mi SE of Many Hart Arpt
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 31.566, -93.516

Water was covering portions of Hwy. 171 in Many, Louisiana.

Flash Flood, Sabine

When: March 20, 9:10 PM CST to March 21, 5:45 AM CST
Where: Sabine County, 3.14 mi SE of Noble to 3.36 mi E of Noble
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 31.650, -93.640

Water was covering Old Pleasant Hill Road near Zwolle, Louisiana.

Flash Flood, Sabine

When: March 20, 9:10 PM CST to March 21, 5:45 AM CST
Where: Sabine County, 2.3 mi S of Belmont to 2.43 mi NNW of Belmont
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 31.687, -93.521

Water was covering Hwy. 175 near Belmont, Louisiana.

Flash Flood, Red River

When: March 20, 9:20 PM CST to March 21, 5:15 AM CST
Where: Red River County, 0.97 mi NNW of Coushatta to 0.8 mi SSW of Coushatta
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.032, -93.359

Numerous roads were flooded all throughout Red River Parish.

Flash Flood, Natchitoches

When: March 20, 10:38 PM CST to March 21, 5:45 AM CST
Where: Natchitoches County, 2.32 mi WNW of Natchitoches to 1.86 mi W of Natchitoches Muni
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 31.786, -93.115

Royal, Texas Street underpass, Isadore Street, and Bienville Streets in Natchitoches were all flooded and barricaded.

Flash Flood, Natchitoches

When: March 20, 10:44 PM CST to March 21, 5:45 AM CST
Where: Natchitoches County, 1.79 mi NW of Natchitoches to 1.75 mi W of Natchitoches Muni
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 31.785, -93.105

Royal Street at Beaufort Boulevard was flooded and barricaded.

Flash Flood, Bienville

When: March 20, 10:45 PM CST to March 21, 5:15 AM CST
Where: Bienville County, 2.39 mi NW of Bienville to 1.95 mi SSW of Brice
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.395, -93.009

Numerous roads across Bienville Parish were flooded and closed.

Flash Flood, De Soto

When: March 20, 10:45 PM CST to March 21, 5:15 AM CST
Where: De Soto County, 0.74 mi N of Stonewall to 0.75 mi E of Stonewall
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.291, -93.820

Flooding was reported along parts of Hwy. 3276 between Interstate 49 and Missile Base Road.

Flash Flood, De Soto

When: March 20, 10:45 PM CST to March 21, 5:15 AM CST
Where: De Soto County, 0.64 mi SSE of Catuna to 1.15 mi ESE of Catuna
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 31.892, -93.715

Flooding was reported along WPA road near Hwy. 171 south of Mansfield, Louisiana.

Flash Flood, Bossier

When: March 20, 11:00 PM CST to March 21, 7:45 AM CST
Where: Bossier County, 1.01 mi NNW of Adner to 2.36 mi SW of Adner
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.584, -93.606

Bellvue Road and Wafer Road were flooded and closed east of Bossier City, Louisiana.

Flash Flood, Natchitoches

When: March 20, 11:16 PM CST to March 21, 5:45 AM CST
Where: Natchitoches County, 1.65 mi SSE of Natchitoches to 1.67 mi SSE of Natchitoches
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 31.747, -93.071

Paula Lane was flooded and closed.

Flash Flood, Natchitoches

When: March 20, 11:32 PM CST to March 21, 5:45 AM CST
Where: Natchitoches County, 2.9 mi S of Vowells Mill to 3.1 mi S of Vowells Mill
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 31.558, -93.273

Cox Lane near Vowells Mills is underwater and flooded. Department of Transportation has no more barricades to put out across the parish.

Flash Flood, Natchitoches

When: March 20, 11:51 PM CST to March 21, 5:45 AM CST
Where: Natchitoches County, 1.68 mi ENE of Shamrock Mill to 1.64 mi ENE of Shamrock Mill
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 31.705, -93.302

Highway 485 off La. Hwy. 6 was flooded and closed.

Flash Flood, Webster

When: March 21, 12:00 AM CST to 7:45 AM CST
Where: Webster County, 1.78 mi SSW of Dixie Inn to 2.55 mi S of Springhill
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.577, -93.344

Numerous roads were flooded and closed throughout the parish including roads in the outskirts of Minden, north of Dixie Inn, Cotton Valley and near Doyline.

Flash Flood, Claiborne

When: March 21, 12:00 AM CST to 9:45 AM CST
Where: Claiborne County, 1.18 mi SW of Haynesville to 0.87 mi SSW of Haynesville
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.959, -93.146

Highway 534 was flooded and closed near Haynesville, Louisiana.

Flash Flood, Natchitoches

When: March 21, 12:18 AM CST to 5:45 AM CST
Where: Natchitoches County, 1.43 mi SW of Natchitoches to 1.34 mi SW of Natchitoches
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 31.755, -93.096

Bossier Street was flooded and closed.

Flash Flood, Natchitoches

When: March 21, 12:30 AM CST to 5:45 AM CST
Where: Natchitoches County, 1.57 mi WNW of Natchitoches to 1.42 mi SSE of Natchitoches Muni
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 31.781, -93.104

Several reports of flooded vehicles throughout the city. The Cane River in Downtown Natchitoches was near one inch from topping the retaining wall.

Flash Flood, Natchitoches

When: March 21, 1:45 AM CST to 5:45 AM CST
Where: Natchitoches County, 1.7 mi NNW of Natchitoches to 1.85 mi NNW of Natchitoches
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 31.791, -93.094

Water was going into homes north of Natchitoches on Michelle Drive.

Flash Flood, Union

When: March 21, 1:45 AM CST to 10:30 AM CST
Where: Union County, 4.93 mi ENE of Shiloh to 4.48 mi WNW of Farmerville
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.798, -92.502

Louisiana Hwy. 2 west of Farmerville was reported to have had 6 to 8 inches of water across the roadway.

Flash Flood, Union

When: March 21, 1:45 AM CST to 10:30 AM CST
Where: Union County, 2.19 mi NNW of Bernice to 1.77 mi WNW of Cooley
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.849, -92.667

High water was reported across Hwy. 167 north at Grafton Crossing.

Flash Flood, Bossier

When: March 21, 2:00 AM CST to 7:45 AM CST
Where: Bossier County, 0.19 mi N of Oakland to 0.62 mi ESE of Oakland
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 32.473, -93.520

A swift water rescue of a person was made whose pickup truck was washed off Johnson Koran Road near Hwy. 157. The driver was rescued 40 yards in the woods from the road using a rope and life jacket.

Tornado, Winn

When: March 21, 2:14 AM CST to 2:15 AM CST
Where: Winn County, 2.19 mi SSE of Sikes to 1.87 mi SSE of Sikes
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.38 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 32.051, -92.486

An EF0 briefly tornado touched down south of Sikes, Louisiana along Hwy. 499. A few trees were snapped on the west side of the highway near the Parish Road 1134 and Hwy. 499 intersection. No structures or powerlines were damaged. The tornado was moving north northeast and lifted in a cleared area before reaching the community of Sikes.

Flash Flood, Natchitoches

When: March 21, 2:29 AM CST to 5:45 AM CST
Where: Natchitoches County, 2.89 mi ENE of Vowells Mill to 3.47 mi SSW of Kisatchie
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 31.613, -93.233

High water was reported on Hwy. 117 near the Kisatchie National Forest Ranger Station.

Flash Flood, Natchitoches

When: March 21, 2:43 AM CST to 5:45 AM CST
Where: Natchitoches County, 0.76 mi WNW of Natchitoches to 0.37 mi ENE of Natchitoches Muni
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 31.774, -93.092

The Cane River near the Rogue House area has topped the city's retaining wall by a few inches.

Flash Flood, Natchitoches

When: March 21, 3:39 AM CST to 5:45 AM CST
Where: Natchitoches County, 0.75 mi WSW of Campti to 0.59 mi SSE of Campti
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 31.895, -93.131

High water was reported on Hwy. 480 near Campti, Louisiana.

Flash Flood, Claiborne

When: March 21, 3:46 AM CST to 9:45 AM CST
Where: Claiborne County, 0.74 mi NE of Homer to 1.2 mi WNW of Homer
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.787, -93.060

High water was reported on Hwy. 3062 west of Homer, Louisiana.

Flash Flood, Lincoln

When: March 21, 5:51 AM CST to 8:45 AM CST
Where: Lincoln County, 1.19 mi SW of Barnet Spgs to 2.08 mi WSW of Vienna
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.486, -92.682

Numerous roads across the parish were flooded and closed.

Flash Flood, Jackson

When: March 21, 6:00 AM CST to 8:45 AM CST
Where: Jackson County, 1.17 mi SW of Wyatt to 1.85 mi WSW of Wyatt
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 32.157, -92.713

Highway 505 was barricaded and closed due to over a foot of water across the roadway between the communities of Wyatt and Gansville.

Flash Flood, Natchitoches

When: March 21, 6:05 AM CST to 9:45 AM CST
Where: Natchitoches County, 0.46 mi SW of Bellwood to 0.23 mi NW of Lotus
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 31.525, -93.205

Several creeks were out of their banks and Shady Grove Road was flooded east of Hwy. 117.

Flash Flood, Bienville

When: March 21, 6:08 AM CST to 8:15 AM CST
Where: Bienville County, 0.21 mi N of Arcadia Arpt to 1.73 mi NW of Arcadia
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.533, -92.950

Numerous secondary roads have been flooded and closed across the parish.

Flash Flood, Natchitoches

When: March 21, 6:40 AM CST to 9:45 AM CST
Where: Natchitoches County, 3.71 mi WNW of Natchitoches to 2.62 mi SW of Clarence
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $1.0 million
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 31.787, -93.140

Water was completely covering Hwy. 3191 and Texas Street at the Sibley Lake boat launch. Boat houses on the cane river are flooded and high water was approaching Rogue House in the downtown area.

Tornado, Caldwell

When: March 21, 7:30 AM CST to 7:38 AM CST
Where: Caldwell County, 0.82 mi SW of Grayson to 2.33 mi NW of Columbia Hgts
Rating: EF1
Path length: 3.96 mi
Path width: 400 yd
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 32.043, -92.131

An EF1 tornado touched down in Caldwell Parish west of Grayson along State Route 845 snapping a few trees. The tornado moved north-northwest and intensified to EF1 intensity as it crossed Hwy. 126 and paralleled McCrary Road where most of the damage occurred. 20 homes were damaged and 1 mobile home was destroyed. The majority of the damage was due to falling trees as the area contained numerous large hardwood and softwood trees which were snapped or uprooted. Several outbuildings and sheds were also destroyed, primarily from falling trees. Other damage occurred to homes and structures along Hwy. 165 in Columbia area was due to straight line winds or rear flank winds east of the tornado track.

Flash Flood, Claiborne

When: March 21, 8:00 AM CST to 9:45 AM CST
Where: Claiborne County, 0.64 mi SW of Homer to 1.84 mi N of Homer
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.773, -93.078

About 10 to 11 roads were barricaded and closed throughout the parish due to flash flooding.

Flash Flood, Union

When: March 21, 8:58 AM CST to 10:30 AM CST
Where: Union County, 3.59 mi NNW of D Arbonne to 0.78 mi NE of Shiloh
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.720, -92.488

Some parish roads remained flooded and closed.

Flash Flood, Natchitoches

When: March 21, 9:51 AM CST to 12:45 PM CST
Where: Natchitoches County, 0.08 mi N of Natchitoches Muni to 2.61 mi WSW of Natchez
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $250,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.731, -93.100

A few homes were evacuated due to flash flooding between Natchitoches and Natchez, Louisiana. Several parish roads remain flooded and closed.

Flash Flood, Winn

When: March 21, 10:00 AM CST to 12:45 PM CST
Where: Winn County, 1.06 mi SW of Winnfield Joyce Arpt to 1.12 mi SW of Winnfield
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 31.941, -92.664

Two roads remain barricaded and closed due to flash flooding across the parish.

What these are

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.
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.
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 Louisiana in 2012 Every state in 2012 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Louisiana, 2012 Warnings in Louisiana, March 2012

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: 361948, 361963, 361964, 361965, 361967, 361969, 361951, 361952, 361970, 361972, 361974, 361975, 361976, 361977, 361979, 361980, 361981, 361982, 361983, 361984, 361954, 361986, 361990, 361994, 361995, 361997, 361999, 362000, 362002, 362003, 362005, 362007, 362017, 362018, 362019, 362020, 362021, 362022, 362023, 362025, and more.