A line of storms pushed across West and Central Louisiana producing spotty flooding and a tornado.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS LCH wrote it up.
A line of storms pushed across West and Central Louisiana producing spotty flooding and a tornado.
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 Lake Charles, LA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Apr 30, 4:37 AM CST, 3 hours 43 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAKE CHARLES LA
537 AM CDT SAT APR 30 2016
.UPDATE...
FORECAST AND GRIDS HAVE BEEN UPDATED FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH
NUMBER 129 ISSUED BY SPC UNTIL 11 AM CDT THIS MORNING. MAIN HAZARD
WILL BE POSSIBLE EMBEDDED BOW ECHO FEATURES IN THE THUNDERSTORM
CLUSTERS PRODUCING DAMAGING STRAIGHTLINE WINDS/WET MICROBURSTS.
RUA
&&
.PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 447 AM CDT SAT APR 30 2016/
DISCUSSION...
UPPER LEVEL LOW IS SPINNING OVER THE SOUTHERN PLAINS OVER WESTERN
KANSAS THIS EARLY MORNING. WATER VAPOR IMAGERY SHOWS AN INCREASING
DIFLUENT PATTERN ALOFT AS NORTHERN JET STREAM ROUNDS THE UPPER
LEVEL LOW AND SUB TROPICAL JET EXTENDS FROM THE TROPICAL EAST
PACIFIC ACROSS NORTHERN OLD MEXICO AND THE NORTHWEST GULF COAST.
INITIAL WAVE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS JUST ENTERING THE UPPER
SOUTHEAST TEXAS PORTION OF THE FORECAST AREA...WITH SCATTERED
CONVECTION FORMING OVER SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA INTO CENTRAL
LOUISIANA. AS THIS COMPLEX CONTINUES TO GRADUALLY MOVE EAST AND
OTHER ACTIVITY FILLS IN AHEAD OF IT...THE THREAT FOR HEAVY
RAINFALL AND SEVERE WEATHER IS INCREASING ACROSS THE FORECAST
AREA.
DEEP SOUTHERLY FLOW IN THE LOW LEVELS TRANSPORTING ABUNDANT GULF
MOISTURE INTO THE REGION...WITH SUB TROPICAL JET ALSO ADDING
TROPICAL LIKE MOISTURE FROM THE EAST PAC. THEREFORE...PRECIPITABLE
WATER VALUES WILL BE OVER 1.5 INCHES TODAY...AND NEARING 2 INCHES
IN SOME SPOTS (TWICE THE STANDARD DEVIATION) ALONG WITH MEAN RH
BETWEEN 60 AND 80 PERCENT. THEREFORE...SHOWERS AND STORMS WILL BE
EFFICIENT PRECIPITATION PRODUCERS. ALSO...WITH MID LEVEL FLOW
RUNNING PARALLEL TO THETA-E RIDGING...THESE STORMS WITH HIGH
RAINFALL RATES MAY MOVE OVER THE SAME AREAS FOR EXTENDING PERIODS
OF TIME. THUS...THERE WILL BE A POTENTIAL FOR FLASH FLOODING AND
HAVE EXTENDED THE FLASH FLOOD WATCH FOR THE ENTIRE AREA. WPC HAS
ALSO OUTLINED THE FORECAST AREA IN A MODERATE RISK FOR EXCESSIVE
RAINFALL IN THE DAY ONE PERIOD.
SPEED MAX RUNNING ACROSS THE FORECAST AREA HELPING TO PRODUCE BULK
SHEAR VALUES BETWEEN 40 AND 45 KNOTS...WITH FAVORABLE 85H-50H
LAPSE RATES...AND LOW LEVEL INSTABILITY. THEREFORE...SOME STRONG
GUSTY STRAIGHT LINE WINDS IN THE FORM OF WET MICROBURSTS WILL BE
POSSIBLE...AND SPC HAS THE FORECAST AREA OUTLINED IN A SLIGHT RISK
FOR THE DAY ONE PERIOD.
HI-RES MODELS IN DECENT AGREEMENT WITH THE HEAVY RAINFALL AND
SEVERE POTENTIAL WEST OF AN ALEXANDRIA TO LAKE CHARLES LINE
THROUGH MID-MORNING...THEN CONVECTIVE COMPLEX ACCELERATING
EASTWARD FROM LATE MORNING INTO THE EARLY AFTERNOON HOURS FOR
POINTS TO THE EAST.
IF SHORT RANGE GUIDANCE DOES VERIFY...FORECAST AREA MAY SEE A
BREAK DURING THE AFTERNOON HOURS INTO EARLY EVENING.
HOWEVER...RE-DEVELOPMENT WILL LIKELY OCCUR DURING THE OVERNIGHT
INTO SUNDAY AS THIS STORM SYSTEM MOVES SLOWLY TO THE EAST.
HIGH RAIN CHANCES WILL CONTINUE INTO MONDAY AND EARLY TUESDAY AS A
SLOW MOVING COLD FRONT FINALLY REACHES THE COAST BY MONDAY
NIGHT...AND SUB TROPICAL JET REMAINS ACTIVE WITH UPPER LEVEL
DISTURBANCES.
LARGE UPPER LEVEL TROUGH DEVELOPS BY LATE TUESDAY INTO WEDNESDAY
ACROSS THE EASTERN U.S. AND THIS WILL PLACE THE FORECAST AREA IN
DEEPER NORTHWEST FLOW ALOFT. THIS WILL BRING A DRIER WEATHER
PATTERN FOR THE REMAINDER THE WEEK.
RUA
MARINE...
LONG FETCH OF MODERATE AND GUSTY SOUTHEAST WINDS CONTINUES ACROSS
THE FORECAST AREA...BRINGING ELEVATED SEAS. SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY
WILL CONTINUE FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE NIGHT FOR 7 FOOT SEAS OVER
THE OUTER WATERS...WITH SMALL CRAFT EXERCISE CAUTION CONTINUING
THROUGH THE AFTERNOON HOURS. THE WINDS AND SEAS WILL BE DECREASING
LATER TODAY INTO TONIGHT AND SUNDAY...AS A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM
MOVES OFF TO THE NORTHEAST AND A COLD FRONT NEARS THE COASTAL
WATERS...HELPING TO LESSEN THE PRESSURE GRADIENT.
RUA
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
AEX 82 69 83 68 / 100 60 50 40
LCH 81 71 82 71 / 90 50 60 40
LFT 83 72 83 71 / 70 60 70 30
BPT 82 71 82 71 / 90 40 50 50
&&
.LCH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
LA...FLASH FLOOD WATCH THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING FOR LAZ028-029-031>033-
042>045-052>055-073-074.
COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR LAZ041-
052>054-073-074.
FLASH FLOOD WATCH THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING FOR LAZ027-030-041.
TX...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR TXZ215-
216.
FLASH FLOOD WATCH THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING FOR TXZ180-201-215-216-
259>262.
GM...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY UNTIL 7 AM CDT THIS MORNING FOR GMZ470-472-
475.
SMALL CRAFT EXERCISE CAUTION THROUGH THIS EVENING FOR GMZ470-472-
475.
SMALL CRAFT EXERCISE CAUTION UNTIL 7 AM CDT THIS MORNING FOR
GMZ430-432-435.
SMALL CRAFT EXERCISE CAUTION UNTIL 1 PM CDT THIS AFTERNOON FOR
GMZ450-452-455.
&&
PUBLIC...07HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAKE CHARLES LA 506 AM CDT SAT APR 30 2016 LAZ027>033-041>045-052>055-073-074-TXZ180-201-215-216-259>262- 011130- VERNON-RAPIDES-AVOYELLES-BEAUREGARD-ALLEN-EVANGELINE-ST. LANDRY- CALCASIEU-JEFFERSON DAVIS-ACADIA-LAFAYETTE-UPPER ST. MARTIN- VERMILION-IBERIA-ST. MARY-LOWER ST. MARTIN-WEST CAMERON- EAST CAMERON-TYLER-HARDIN-JEFFERSON-ORANGE-NORTHERN JASPER- NORTHERN NEWTON-SOUTHERN JASPER-SOUTHERN NEWTON- 506 AM CDT SAT APR 30 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF CENTRAL LOUISIANA...SOUTH CENTRAL LOUISIANA...SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA...WEST CENTRAL LOUISIANA AND SOUTHEAST TEXAS. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT A COMPLEX OF STORMS WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE ACROSS THE FORECAST AREA TODAY. THESE THUNDERSTORMS WILL PRODUCE HEAVY RAINFALL...FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING...AND STRONG GUSTY WINDS. THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK FOR SEVERE STORMS...AND A MODERATE RISK FOR EXCESSIVE RAINFALL. A FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS ALSO IN EFFECT. TIDES ALONG THE COAST WILL BE ELEVATED WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF MINOR COASTAL FLOODING DURING HIGH TIDE TIMES. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY HEAVY RAINFALL POSSIBILITIES WILL CONTINUE THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL NOT BE NEEDED. GMZ430-432-435-450-452-455-470-472-475-011130- SABINE LAKE-CALCASIEU LAKE-VERMILION BAY- COASTAL WATERS FROM CAMERON LA TO HIGH ISLAND TX OUT 20 NM- COASTAL WATERS FROM INTRACOASTAL CITY TO CAMERON LA OUT 20 NM- COASTAL WATERS FROM LOWER ATCHAFALAYA RIVER TO INTRACOASTAL CITY LA OUT 20 NM- WATERS FROM CAMERON LA TO HIGH ISLAND TX FROM 20 TO 60 NM- WATERS FROM INTRACOASTAL CITY TO CAMERON LA FROM 20 TO 60 NM- WATERS FROM LOWER ATCHAFALAYA RIVER TO INTRACOASTAL CITY LA FROM 20 TO 60 NM- 506 AM CDT SAT APR 30 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF GULF OF MEXICO. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT ELEVATED SEAS AND WINDS WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE DAY. SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL DEVELOP WITH FREQUENT CLOUD TO WATER LIGHTNING AND HEAVY RAINFALL GREATLY REDUCING VISIBILITIES. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY THE POSSIBILITY OF THUNDERSTORMS WITH FREQUENT CLOUD TO WATER LIGHTNING AND HEAVY RAINFALL WILL CONTINUE INTO MONDAY NIGHT. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL NOT BE NEEDED. RUA
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAKE CHARLES LA
803 AM CDT SAT APR 30 2016
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0615 AM TSTM WND DMG 6 S KIRBYVILLE 30.57N 93.90W
04/30/2016 JASPER TX PUBLIC
FACEBOOK PHOTO SHOWS A TREE FELL ON A MANUFACTURED HOME
ON COUNTY ROAD 598.
&&
DJONESPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAKE CHARLES LA
806 AM CDT SAT APR 30 2016
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0755 AM FLASH FLOOD KOUNTZE 30.37N 94.32W
04/30/2016 HARDIN TX PUBLIC
PUBLIC REPORTS SOME ROADS IN KOUNTZE HAVE WATER ON THEM.
CYPRESS CREEK OUT OF ITS BANKS.
&&
DJONESSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAKE CHARLES LA
852 AM CDT SAT APR 30 2016
LAZ031-041-042-073-074-301445-
JEFFERSON DAVIS LA-WEST CAMERON LA-ALLEN LA-EAST CAMERON LA-
CALCASIEU LA-
852 AM CDT SAT APR 30 2016
...SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT...
AT 851 AM CDT...DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG
A LINE EXTENDING FROM NEAR HARMONY TO NEAR HEBERTS MARINA. MOVEMENT
WAS EAST AT 35 MPH.
WINDS OF 30 TO 40 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH THESE STORMS.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
LAKE CHARLES...JENNINGS...WELSH...IOWA...LAKE ARTHUR...KINDER...ELTON...
FENTON...REEVES...MOSS BLUFF...LAKE CHARLES REGIONAL AIRPORT...LACASSINE
NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE...HAYES...GRAND LAKE...BULLER...GIBBSTOWN...
THORNWELL...HARMONY...PINE ISLAND AND HOLMWOOD.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TORRENTIAL RAINFALL IS ALSO OCCURRING WITH THESE STORMS...AND MAY LEAD
TO LOCALIZED FLOODING. DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE THROUGH FLOODED
ROADWAYS.
FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THESE STORMS.
LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE 10 MILES AWAY FROM A THUNDERSTORM. SEEK A SAFE
SHELTER INSIDE A BUILDING OR VEHICLE.
&&
A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1100 AM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN LOUISIANA.
LAT...LON 2983 9333 2986 9324 3005 9329 3005 9333
2985 9335 2987 9335 2988 9341 2984 9347
3040 9317 3040 9313 3060 9306 3061 9260
3032 9263 3020 9259 3007 9263 3004 9272
3004 9264 2979 9285
TIME...MOT...LOC 1351Z 267DEG 30KT 3056 9287 2995 9327
TINGLERSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAKE CHARLES LA
900 AM CDT SAT APR 30 2016
LAZ027-301445-
VERNON LA-
900 AM CDT SAT APR 30 2016
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR CENTRAL VERNON PARISH UNTIL 945
AM CDT...
AT 900 AM CDT...DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER
NEW LLANO...OR OVER LEESVILLE...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 15 MPH.
WINDS IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
LEESVILLE...ANACOCO...FORT POLK...SLAGLE...NEW LLANO...LACAMP...KURTHWOOD...
HUTTON...SIMPSON AND PICKERING.
A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1100 AM CDT FOR
WEST CENTRAL LOUISIANA.
LAT...LON 3136 9303 3136 9299 3106 9283 3105 9283
3097 9329 3128 9339 3137 9325 3137 9303
TIME...MOT...LOC 1400Z 225DEG 13KT 3111 9326
TINGLERPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAKE CHARLES LA
902 AM CDT SAT APR 30 2016
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0902 AM TSTM WND DMG CALL 30.61N 93.87W
04/30/2016 NEWTON TX LAW ENFORCEMENT
JASPER COUNTY SHERIFF HAS RECEIVED SEVERAL REPORTS OF
DAMAGE TO TREES AND POWERLINES IN CALL. POSSIBLE TORNADO.
&&
DJONESPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAKE CHARLES LA
920 AM CDT SAT APR 30 2016
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0920 AM FLASH FLOOD 1 S SULPHUR 30.21N 93.36W
04/30/2016 CALCASIEU LA PUBLIC
VIDEO OF STREET FLOODING IN SULPHUR.
&&
DJONESThe Lake Charles radar (KLCH), 21 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 14:22 UTC.
1 flash flood, 1 thunderstorm wind, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
Pictures and video posted to social media indicated street flooding in Sulphur after a quick 3 to 4 inches of rain.
A large oak tree was downed on George Road.
Radar imagery indicated a tornado debris signiture around Bayou Jack Road and Jims Camp Road. KALB Meteorologist Adam Burniston went to the site and sent pictures of tree damage including up rooted trees and large branches broken. An outbuilding was also damaged. The path continued into the swamp of Northeast Saint Landry Parish.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Louisiana in 2016Every state in 2016This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Louisiana, 2016Warnings in Louisiana, April 2016
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: 631045, 631044, 631043.