Tornado and Damaging Winds in Texas, October 13, 2014

Name: Tornado and Damaging Winds in Texas, October 13, 2014
Start: 2014-10-13T03:25
End: 2014-10-13T05:53
Location: Texas

October 13, 2014 · NWS SHV · 7 events in 6 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: $1.3 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 7

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.

An upper level trough moved quickly into the Central and Southern Plains providing the necessary lift for scattered strong to severe thunderstorms across Northwest Texas and Western Oklahoma during the evening hours of Sunday, Oct. 12th. At the surface, a warm front was rapidly moving northward across East Texas and North Louisiana with low level moisture returning quickly in the wake of the northward moving warm front. A cold front in association with the upper level trough was rapidly moving eastward through Western Oklahoma and Texas. Overnight across Southeast Oklahoma, Southwest Arkansas, Northeast Texas and Northwest Louisiana, moderate instability was in place with increasing low and mid-level shear as the upper trough approached from the west. Storms eventually erupted ahead of the cold front across Central Oklahoma and Northern Texas, maturing into a squall line as it approached the region during the predawn hours of Monday, Oct. 13th. As the squall line traversed through the region, widespread wind damage was reported associated with straight line winds. Several short track, intense tornadoes developed along the leading edge of the squall line as well across portions of Northeast Texas, Southwest Arkansas and Northern Louisiana. The storms finally exited the region during the afternoon hours of Oct. 13th. Post-event Storm Surveys determined that 6 tornadoes occurred with this severe weather outbreak, one of which produced 1 fatality and 4 injuries in Little River County, Arkansas. Another tornado produced widespread damage across Ouachita Parish in Monroe, Louisiana.

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 Oct 13, 2:40 AM CST, 45 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Oct 13, 2:40 AM CST, 45 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SHREVEPORT LA
340 AM CDT MON OCT 13 2014

.DISCUSSION...
SQUALL LINE IS JUST WEST OF THE CWA ATTM AND IS MOVING FASTER
THAN EXPECTED. GUIDANCE IS NOT HANDLING THE FASTER MOVEMENT SO
TODAYS HIGH TEMPS HAVE BEEN CREATED ON EXTRAPOLATION OF HAND DRAWN
THREE HOUR GRIDS. DEWPOINTS LIKE WISE. STILL LOOKING FOR
WIDESPREAD STRONG WINDS WITH THE LINE OF STORMS. A FEW DISCRETE
CELLS STILL POSSIBLE AHEAD OF THE LINE...AND THESE WILL HAVE TO BE
MONITORED FOR ROTATION. TORNADO WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED THROUGH 16Z
TO COVER THIS MORNING. EXPECT ANOTHER FOR THE AFTERNOON...WHICH
WILL ACTUALLY HAVE MORE POTENTIAL DUE TO MORE LOW LEVEL INSTABILITY.
LAKE WIND ADVISORY WILL BE IN EFFECT FOR THE DAY FOR THE ENTIRE
CWA...BUT DO NOT EXPECT THE GUSTY WINDS ALL AREAS THIS MORNING DUE
TO A LOW LEVEL INVERSION IN SOME LOCATIONS AND MIXING DOWN OF THE
LOW LEVEL WINDS WILL BE SPORADIC.

BY MIDNIGHT...A CLOSED UPPER LOW IS EXPECTED TO BE LOCATED OVER
SOUTHERN MISSOURI WITH THE TROUGH EXTENDING SOUTH ACROSS THE CWA
AND TO THE UPPER TX COAST. THE SURFACE FRONT WILL BE EAST OF THE
AREA BY THAT TIME. SOME WRAP AROUND PRECIPITATION MAY FOLLOW THE
FRONT ACROSS SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS INTO NORTH CENTRAL LOUISIANA THIS
EVENING. COLD AIR ADVECTION WILL ALLOW TEMPS TO FALL INTO THE 50S
ACROSS ALL OF THE CWA BY DAYBREAK TUESDAY. ANY REMAINING PRECIP
SHOULD BE JUST NORTHEAST OF THE AREA BY THAT TIME.

ON TUESDAY...BRISK NORTHWEST WINDS WILL CONTINUE...BUT WITH CLEAR
SKIES...TEMPS SHOULD REACH THE 70S MOST AREAS. FOR TUESDAY NIGHT...
DECREASING WIND AND CLEAR SKIES WILL PROVIDE AMPLE RADIATIONAL
COOLING AND LOWS IN THE 40S CAN BE EXPECTED WEDNESDAY MORNING FOR
MOST OF THE CWA. FOR THE REST OF THE FORECAST WEEK...HIGHS WILL
BE NEAR NORMAL...IN THE UPPER 70S AND LOWER 80S. LOWS WILL BE
SLIGHTLY BELOW NORMAL DUE TO THE DRY AIR PLACE...WITH 40S NORTH TO
50S SOUTH.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
SHV  78  53  74  48  78 / 100  20   0   0   0
MLU  82  55  73  50  77 / 100  40  10   0   0
DEQ  70  52  71  42  75 / 100  30   0   0   0
TXK  73  52  71  48  76 / 100  30   0   0   0
ELD  77  52  70  45  75 / 100  30  10   0   0
TYR  71  51  75  48  79 / 100  10   0   0   0
GGG  75  52  76  46  80 / 100  10   0   0   0
LFK  79  52  78  48  81 / 100  10   0   0   0

&&

.SHV WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AR...LAKE WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING
     ZONES: ARZ050-051-059>061-070>073.

LA...LAKE WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING
     ZONES: LAZ001>006-010>014-017>022.

OK...LAKE WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING
     ZONES: OKZ077.

TX...LAKE WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING
     ZONES: TXZ096-097-108>112-124>126-136>138-149>153-165>167.

&&

14

Hazardous weather outlook, Oct 12, 10:47 AM CST, 16 hours 38 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SHREVEPORT LA
1147 AM CDT SUN OCT 12 2014

ARZ050-051-059>061-070>073-LAZ001>006-010>014-017>022-OKZ077-
TXZ096-097-108>112-124>126-136>138-149>153-165>167-131700-
SEVIER-HOWARD-LITTLE RIVER-HEMPSTEAD-NEVADA-MILLER-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-MCCURTAIN-BOWIE-
FRANKLIN-TITUS-CAMP-MORRIS-CASS-WOOD-UPSHUR-MARION-SMITH-GREGG-
HARRISON-CHEROKEE-RUSK-PANOLA-NACOGDOCHES-SHELBY-ANGELINA-
SAN AUGUSTINE-SABINE TX-
1147 AM CDT SUN OCT 12 2014

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 ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE THIS AFTERNOON. LATE
TONIGHT...AS A STRONG COLD FRONT APPROACHES THE REGION FROM THE
NORTH...THUNDERSTORMS MAY DEVELOP ACROSS SOUTHEAST OKLAHOMA AND
NORTHEAST TEXAS. SOME OF THESE STORMS COULD BE SEVERE...PRODUCING
DAMAGING WINDS.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY...

ON MONDAY...THERE IS A HIGH PROBABILITY THAT A SQUALL LINE WILL
MOVE FROM WEST TO EAST ACROSS THE REGION. DAMAGING WIND WILL BE
THE MAIN THREAT FROM THIS EVENT...BUT A FEW TORNADOES CANNOT BE
RULED OUT. HAIL AND LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL ARE ALSO POSSIBLE...
BUT DUE TO THE FAST MOVEMENT OF THIS SYSTEM...FLASH FLOODING IS
NOT LIKELY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

ACTIVATION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL...AMATEUR RADIO
OPERATORS...AND STORM SPOTTERS MAY BE NEEDED LATE TONIGHT ACROSS
SOUTHEAST OKLAHOMA INTO NORTHEAST TEXAS...AND AREAWIDE ON MONDAY.

05

In the hours before

Local storm report, Oct 12, 10:18 PM CST, 5 hours 7 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SHREVEPORT LA
1118 PM CDT SUN OCT 12 2014

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

0645 PM     TSTM WND DMG     9 E BENTON              32.69N  93.59W
10/12/2014                   BOSSIER            LA   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            TREE DOWN NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF HIGHWAY 157 AND C E
            DAY SR ROAD EAST OF BENTON

&&

EVENT NUMBER SHV1400618

15

The radar

The Shreveport radar (KSHV), 152 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 09:25 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

5 thunderstorm wind, 1 tornado, 1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Franklin

When: October 13, 3:25 AM CST
Where: Franklin County, 0.9 mi SE of Mt Vernon
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $250,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 33.170, -95.220

A severe squall line moved east into Franklin County, Texas during the early morning hours of October 13th. This line of storms produced a 70-80mph wind gust across the south side of Mount Vernon, Texas. A storm National Weather Service Storm Survey crew determined that the damage was consistent with that of a downburst. Damage consisted of significant loss of a roof of a poorly constructed small business and a partial collapse of the exterior walls. A nearby bank also experienced minor roof damage. Two 18 wheelers were overturned and there was damage to a Cefco Gas Station at the intersection of Hwy. 37 and Interstate 30.

Tornado, Upshur

When: October 13, 3:52 AM CST to 4:00 AM CST
Where: Upshur County, 0.92 mi W of Enon to 0.31 mi NNE of Delrose
Rating: EF1
Path length: 5.8 mi
Path width: 275 yd
Property damage: $1.0 million
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 32.768, -95.046

An National Weather Storm Survey team determined that the damage in Upshur County, Texas was consistent with that of a tornado. An EF-1 tornado touched down just south of FM 852 near the Bison Road and FM 852 intersection. The tornado moved east, crossing FM. 852 and passing along Armadillo Road north of Lake Gilmer and then crossing Cherokee Trace, reaching Hwy. 271 near Antelope Road before lifting. The tornado caused damage to numerous trees by snapping and/or uprooting them along the path. Some homes sustained significant damage along the path due to fallen trees. Several barns had substantial damage along the path as well. One house suffered significant injuries while a rancher lost two cows as a tree fell on them.

Thunderstorm Wind, Camp

When: October 13, 4:21 AM CST
Where: Camp County, Pittsburg
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $40,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 33.000, -94.970

Several trees were downed along with a barn that was blow down and powerlines north of Leesburg between Leesburg and Lake Bob Sandlin. Several roads were blocked by fallen trees as well.

Thunderstorm Wind, Rusk

When: October 13, 5:42 AM CST
Where: Rusk County, 0.69 mi N of Henderson
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 32.160, -94.800

Numerous trees and powerlines were downed in the southern portion of Henderson, Texas on Hwy. 79 and CR. 407.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cherokee

When: October 13, 5:44 AM CST
Where: Cherokee County, Rusk
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 31.800, -95.150

Several trees were downed across the county including trees blocking Hwys. 84, 2138, 747 South and CRs. 3908 and 3708.

Lightning, Gregg

When: October 13, 5:50 AM CST
Where: Gregg County, 1.81 mi NE of Greggton
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 32.520, -94.760

A lightning strike set an oil well site on fire at the intersection of HG Moseley and Bill Owens Parkway southeast of Wildwood. Residents had to be evacuated from the area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Rusk

When: October 13, 5:53 AM CST
Where: Rusk County, 0.69 mi N of Henderson
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.160, -94.800

Trees were downed all across the county.

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.
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.
Lightning: A lightning strike that killed, injured or caused damage.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Texas in 2014 Every state in 2014 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Texas, 2014 Warnings in Texas, October 2014

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: 543116, 543118, 543170, 543177, 543178, 543179, 543180.