Tornadoes and Hail in Louisiana, April 24 to 25, 2019

Name: Tornadoes and Hail in Louisiana, April 24 to 25, 2019
Start: 2019-04-24T22:51
End: 2019-04-25T04:57
Location: Louisiana

April 24 to 25, 2019 · NWS SHV · 14 events in 9 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: 2
Injuries: 3
Property damage: $56 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 14

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 closed upper level low pressure system advanced east across Central Texas during the evening hours of April 24th, which helped to mix a warm front north into portions of Deep East Texas and Northcentral Louisiana. As a result, warm, moist, and unstable air began to build north along and south of the front, as steepening lapse rates aloft spread east along the axis of increasing large scale forcing ahead of the low. This resulted in an increase in scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms near and south of the warm front from the late evening hours of the 24th through the early morning hours of the 25th across East Texas and North Louisiana. Coupled with the strong wind shear present across the expanding warm sector, several supercell thunderstorms developed, with one supercell spawning six separate tornadoes from San Augustine Texas northeast to Eastern Union Parish Louisiana, directly impacting the cities of San Augustine Texas and Ruston Louisiana along its 150+ mile track across the NWS Shreveport County Warning Area. In fact, this supercell spawned another tornado across Northwest Morehouse and Southern Ashley County Arkansas, to complete its nearly 180 mile track before dissipating. Other isolated supercells developed near and south of the warm front which spawned tornadoes across Northern Caddo Parish and Central La Salle Parish in Northern Louisiana, with other severe thunderstorms producing damaging winds across portions of Northcentral Louisiana as well, before the storms exited the region around daybreak on the 25th.

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 Apr 24, 9:12 PM CST, 1 hour 39 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 24, 9:12 PM CST, 1 hour 39 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
1012 PM CDT Wed Apr 24 2019

.SHORT TERM.../Tonight/

Current MCS continues to steadily march E across E TX/SE OK/SW AR
and into NW LA attm, ahead of the well-defined closed upper low
that is gradually advancing E across Cntrl TX. Drier air aloft has
begun to entrain NE across SE TX ahead of the low, with the
mosaic radar imagery indicating an abrupt end to the convection
across ECntrl TX. The latest mesoanalysis indicates that a warm
front is beginning to mix N into portions of Deep E TX/Lower
Toledo Bend Country into Cntrl LA, with MUCapes beginning to
increase to 500-1000 J/Kg from Deep E TX into much of N LA/far Srn
AR in advance of the current MCS. With the SSWrly LLJ increasing
to 40-50kts overnight across this broadening instability axis,
some uptick in the convection intensity will be possible, with
isolated SVR convection mainly in the form of damaging
winds/isolated tornadoes. It is interesting to note that the
latest progs suggest that H700-500 lapse rates do increase a bit
in wake of the advancing convection, which could be advected in to
help amplify this convection a bit late over Ncntrl LA. Locally
heavy rainfall will also be possible as what has been observed
this evening over portions of E TX, near a remnant MCV that has
yielded widespread rainfall totals of 3-5+ inches from NW Gregg/SW
Upshur across much of Smith Counties, and even 6.50+ inches in
far Ern Henderson County along the Wrn shore of Lake Palestine.
However, given the progression of the ongoing convection now,
believe that any flooding will be localized as the dry slotting
will help to erode this convection from W to E after 06Z, exiting
all but the far ESE zones of Ncntrl LA by 12Z.

Have updated the forecast to raise pops to high end categorical
areawide, although tapered pops to chance/slight chance through
06Z across the Ern sections of Ncntrl LA. Did make some minor
adjustments to min temps, with the rain cooled air expected to
help cool temps into the lower 60s across much of E TX/SE OK/SW
AR/extreme NW LA. Otherwise, the remainder of the forecast is in
good shape.

Zone update already out...grids will be available shortly.

15

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 719 PM CDT Wed Apr 24 2019/

AVIATION...
Cigs are expected to gradually deteriorate this evening, as areas
of convection continues to spread ENE across much of E TX/SE
OK/adjacent sections of SW AR/Wrn LA through mid-evening, and
across the remainder of N LA/Scntrl AR mainly by/shortly after
06Z Thursday in advance of a closed upper low/trough. IFR cigs,
reduced vsbys, wind gusts in excess of 35kts, and extreme
turbulence will be possible from the stronger convection, which
will primarily affect the LFK/SHV/ELD/MLU terminals. This
convection will quickly diminish from W to E after 06Z, clearing
the MLU terminal by/shortly after 12Z. While cigs may return to
VFR in wake of the departure of the convection, low MVFR/IFR cigs
are expected to redevelop late tonight areawide, before slowly
lifting by late morning/early afternoon Thursday. VFR conditions
should return to the E TX, TXK, and SHV terminals by early to mid-
afternoon, before eventually spreading into the remainder of
Scntrl AR/Ncntrl LA by the end of the 00Z TAF period. However, sct
-SHRA with isolated -TSRA should redevelop along the base of the
trough from late morning through the afternoon across portions of
SW AR/N LA, and thus have included VCSH for the SW AR terminals
only as low confidence precludes mention elsewhere. The VFR cigs
will eventually begin to scatter out areawide during the evening
with the departure of the upper trough. SE winds 5-10kts this
evening will become Lt/Vrb with the arrival of the convection,
before eventually becoming W 10-15kts with higher gusts after
15Z. /15/

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
SHV  63  74  58  78 / 100  60  10   0
MLU  67  78  59  77 / 100  70  20   0
DEQ  60  74  52  77 / 100  80  10   0
TXK  61  73  55  76 / 100  70  10   0
ELD  64  74  56  77 / 100  70  10   0
TYR  60  75  56  77 / 100  50  10   0
GGG  62  76  56  77 / 100  50  10   0
LFK  63  77  59  80 / 100  30  10   0

&&

.SHV WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AR...None.
LA...None.
OK...None.
TX...None.
&&

15

Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 24, 11:29 AM CST, 11 hours 22 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
1229 PM CDT Wed Apr 24 2019

LAZ010-011-017-018-TXZ149>153-165>167-251730-
De Soto-Red River-Sabine-Natchitoches-Cherokee-Rusk-Panola-
Nacogdoches-Shelby-Angelina-San Augustine-
1229 PM CDT Wed Apr 24 2019

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northwest
Louisiana, east Texas, and northeast Texas.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight...

Showers and thunderstorms will begin to increase across the area
later this Wednesday afternoon and evening, and may continue
through the wee hours of Thursday morning. Damaging wind gusts
and possibly an isolated tornado can be expected from stronger
storms, mainly through this Wednesday evening. Locally heavy
rainfall is also possible in storms.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday...

Showers and thunderstorms will begin to diminish during the
daytime Thursday. Additional showers and thunderstorms will begin
to return to the region beginning on Tuesday of next week.
However, no hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Activation of emergency management personnel, amateur radio
operators, and storm spotters may be needed this afternoon through
the overnight hours.

LAZ001>006-012>014-019>022-TXZ124>126-136>138-251730-
Caddo-Bossier-Webster-Claiborne-Lincoln-Union-Bienville-Jackson-
Ouachita-Winn-Grant-Caldwell-La Salle-Wood-Upshur-Marion-Smith-
Gregg-Harrison-
1229 PM CDT Wed Apr 24 2019

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of north central
Louisiana, northwest Louisiana, and northeast Texas.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight...

Showers and thunderstorms will begin to increase across the area
this Wednesday afternoon and evening, and may continue through
the wee hours of Thursday morning. Strong to damaging wind gusts
can be expected from stronger storms, mainly through Wednesday
evening. Locally heavy rainfall is also possible in storms.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday...

Showers and thunderstorms will begin to diminish during the
daytime Thursday. Additional showers and thunderstorms will begin
to return to the region beginning on Tuesday of next week.
However, no hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Activation of emergency management personnel, amateur radio
operators, and storm spotters may be required for this Wednesday
afternoon into the early hours of Thursday morning.

ARZ050-051-059>061-070>073-OKZ077-TXZ096-097-108>112-251730-
Sevier-Howard-Little River-Hempstead-Nevada-Miller-Lafayette-
Columbia-Union-McCurtain-Red River-Bowie-Franklin-Titus-Camp-
Morris-Cass-
1229 PM CDT Wed Apr 24 2019

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of south central
Arkansas, southwest Arkansas, southeast Oklahoma, and northeast
Texas.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight...

Showers and thunderstorms are expected to increase during the
afternoon and evening hours and possibly continue through the
overnight hours. Strong gusty wind and brief locally heavy
rainfall may occur in stronger storms.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday...

Showers and thunderstorms will begin to diminish during the daytime
Thursday. Widely scattered showers and thunderstorms will be possible
over the weekend, by late this upcoming weekend. Additional showers
and thunderstorms will begin to return to the region beginning on
Tuesday of next week. However, no hazardous weather is expected at
this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Activation of emergency management personnel, amateur radio
operators, and storm spotters are not anticipated at this time for
this Wednesday afternoon through Thursday morning.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Apr 24, 7:43 PM CST, 3 hours 8 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
843 PM CDT Wed Apr 24 2019

TXZ110-125-126-250230-
Upshur TX-Camp TX-Marion TX-
843 PM CDT Wed Apr 24 2019

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN MARION...UPSHUR AND
SOUTH CENTRAL CAMP COUNTIES UNTIL 930 PM CDT...

At 842 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Gilmer, moving northeast at 25 mph.

Wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Gladewater, Gilmer, Big Sandy, Ore City, East Mountain, Diana, West
Mountain, Cedar Springs, Union Grove, Warren City, Midway, Holly
Springs, Lafayette, Bettie and Pritchett.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 3299 9494 3290 9472 3289 9471 3288 9471
      3288 9465 3287 9463 3278 9468 3279 9470
      3276 9470 3262 9479 3260 9481 3259 9483
      3254 9496 3259 9511
TIME...MOT...LOC 0142Z 203DEG 20KT 3270 9491

19

Special weather statement, Apr 24, 8:14 PM CST, 2 hours 37 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
914 PM CDT Wed Apr 24 2019

TXZ125-126-137-138-250300-
Upshur TX-Gregg TX-Harrison TX-Marion TX-
914 PM CDT Wed Apr 24 2019

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WESTERN MARION...NORTHWESTERN
HARRISON...EASTERN UPSHUR AND NORTH CENTRAL GREGG COUNTIES UNTIL 1000
PM CDT...

At 914 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Diana, or 9 miles north of Longview, moving northeast at 20 mph.

Winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Longview, Hallsville, Ore City, Diana, Harleton, Lassater, Nesbitt
and Judson.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 3246 9482 3258 9482 3269 9484 3282 9492
      3288 9450 3255 9442
TIME...MOT...LOC 0214Z 255DEG 18KT 3265 9471

19

Special weather statement, Apr 24, 8:29 PM CST, 2 hours 22 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
929 PM CDT Wed Apr 24 2019

TXZ136-149-150-250315-
Smith TX-Cherokee TX-Rusk TX-
929 PM CDT Wed Apr 24 2019

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN SMITH...WEST CENTRAL
RUSK AND NORTHERN CHEROKEE COUNTIES UNTIL 1015 PM CDT...

At 928 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Maydelle, or near Jacksonville, moving northeast at 40 mph.

Winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Jacksonville, Henderson, Rusk, Overton, Troup, New London, Arp,
Ponta, Joinerville, Mixon, Turnertown, Maydelle, New Summerfield,
Gallatin, Concord and Brachfield.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 3174 9526 3191 9543 3230 9498 3209 9475
TIME...MOT...LOC 0228Z 226DEG 37KT 3187 9527

19

Special weather statement, Apr 24, 9:46 PM CST, 1 hour 5 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
1046 PM CDT Wed Apr 24 2019

TXZ152-153-165>167-250430-
Sabine TX-Angelina TX-Nacogdoches TX-San Augustine TX-Shelby TX-
1046 PM CDT Wed Apr 24 2019

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN NACOGDOCHES...SOUTH
CENTRAL SHELBY...CENTRAL ANGELINA...SAN AUGUSTINE AND NORTHWESTERN
SABINE COUNTIES UNTIL 1130 PM CDT...

At 1046 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Etoile, or 18 miles east of Lufkin, moving east at 30 mph.

Winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
San Augustine, Macune, Etoile, Bland Lake, Neuville, Rosevine,
Chireno, Broaddus, Bronson, Denning, Calgary and Chinaquapin.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 3121 9450 3145 9463 3172 9405 3137 9388
TIME...MOT...LOC 0346Z 249DEG 26KT 3137 9441

19

Local storm report, Apr 24, 10:41 PM CST, 10 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SHREVEPORT LA
1141 PM CDT WED APR 24 2019

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

0823 PM     FLASH FLOOD      7 WSW WINONA            32.45N 95.28W
04/24/2019                   SMITH              TX   BROADCAST MEDIA

            FM ROAD 14 AT INTERSTATE 20 CLOSED DUE TO
            FLOODED ROADWAY.

&&

20

Local storm report, Apr 24, 10:51 PM CST, 0 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SHREVEPORT LA
1151 PM CDT WED APR 24 2019

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

1120 PM     TORNADO          1 WNW SAN AUGUSTINE     31.53N 94.13W
04/24/2019                   SAN AUGUSTINE      TX   PUBLIC

            SOCIAL MEDIA REPORTS OF DAMAGE AT THE
            INTERSECTION OF US HWY 96 AND TEXAS STATE
            HWY 21 IN SAN AUGUSTINE.

&&

20

The radar

The Shreveport radar (KSHV), 83 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 04:51 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

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

Tornado, Sabine

When: April 24, 10:51 PM CST to 11:11 PM CST
Where: Sabine County, 4.03 mi N of Toledo Bend Res Nort to 4.78 mi NNE of Mitchell
Rating: EF1
Path length: 15.56 mi
Path width: 900 yd
Continued into: De Soto, La (SHV)
Property damage: $200,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 31.707, -93.813

This is a continuation of the Shelby County EF-1 tornado that touched down just west of Toledo Bend Reservoir shortly before midnight on April 24th. This tornado moved across Toledo Bend Reservoir as a waterspout, and back onshore in Northwest Sabine Parish as a tornado, where it crossed Highway 191 just south of Highway 174 before turning more easterly crossing Golden Road, snapping and uprooting numerous trees along its path. The tornado tracked through the town of Converse where several trees were snapped and uprooted before crossing Highway 171 and Highway 174, and led to additional tree damage on Harrison Road, Cooper Lane, and Bolivar Road before moving into Southeast Desoto Parish. The maximum estimated winds from this tornado as it moved throughout Northwest Sabine Parish was 105 mph.

Approximately five homes reported major damage, while fifteen other homes suffered minor damage from the tornado. A church also suffered damage from this tornado as well.

Tornado, Caddo

When: April 24, 10:51 PM CST to 10:53 PM CST
Where: Caddo County, 1.87 mi ENE of Mooringsport to 2.82 mi ENE of Mooringsport
Rating: EF1
Path length: 1.04 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 32.689, -93.940

An EF-1 tornado with maximum estimated winds around 105 mph touched down just south of Dixie-Mooringsport Road (Highway 169), where it ripped through roof off of a small outbuilding and damaged a fence. The tornado then crossed Highway 169 where it snapped and uprooted around 10 trees and downed power lines before crossing the highway where its path was observed being the widest at about 100 yards. The tornado then went on to partially damage a roof of a single family home, ripping off shingles, and uprooting and snapping 10-20 more trees along Sundown Drive before lifting near Sunset Lane as it approached the southern shore of Caddo Lake.

In all, four homes were damaged from this tornado near Mooringsport.

Tornado, De Soto

When: April 24, 11:11 PM CST to 11:28 PM CST
Where: De Soto County, 2.77 mi SSW of Pelican to 1.87 mi SSW of Rambin
Rating: EF1
Path length: 10 mi
Path width: 900 yd
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $30,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 31.846, -93.604

This is a continuation of the Northwest Sabine Parish tornado. This EF-1 tornado began to weaken as it entered Southeast Desoto Parish, with maximum estimated winds around 95 mph. It snapped and uprooted several trees near the Pelican community, where a tree fell on a vehicle on Highway 175 just south of the Highway 483 intersection, resulting in an injury to the female driver in the vehicle. The tornado continued its northeast movement to Highway 177 north of Parish Road 507 snapping and uprooting several more trees before finally lifting. In all, this long track tornado from Eastern Shelby County Texas through Northwest Sabine and Southeast Desoto Parishes in Northwest Louisiana remained on the ground for 32.1 miles before finally lifting.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sabine

When: April 25, 12:01 AM CST
Where: Sabine County, 4.93 mi N of Columbus
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 31.421, -93.679

Numerous trees were downed at the Cypress Bend Park on Toledo Bend Reservoir. A tree had fallen on a fifth wheel trailer, with additional trees having fallen on several vehicles at the park. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. Report via pictures posted to the KALB Facebook page.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bienville

When: April 25, 12:02 AM CST
Where: Bienville County, 0.26 mi WNW of Alberta
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.232, -93.154

A power pole was snapped on Highway 153 just south of Castor.

Tornado, Bienville

When: April 25, 12:12 AM CST to 12:15 AM CST
Where: Bienville County, 0.82 mi NNW of Lucky to 3.02 mi NNE of Lucky
Rating: EF1
Path length: 2.52 mi
Path width: 150 yd
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 32.261, -93.006

An EF-1 tornado with maximum estimated winds near 110 mph touched down on Brooks Loop in the Lucky community where it snapped large branches before crossing Highway 4. The tornado continued northeast across Highway 9 where it broke power poles and snapped/uprooted approximately 20 trees before lifting.

Thunderstorm Wind, Natchitoches

When: April 25, 12:12 AM CST
Where: Natchitoches County, 2.96 mi S of Allen
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 31.787, -93.285

Trees were downed along the 4300 block of Highway 485 north of Robeline.

Tornado, Bienville

When: April 25, 12:25 AM CST to 12:26 AM CST
Where: Bienville County, 1.08 mi SSW of Walsh to 1.02 mi SE of Walsh
Rating: EF1
Path length: 1.03 mi
Path width: 200 yd
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 32.355, -92.925

An EF-1 tornado with maximum estimated winds around 105 mph briefly touched down as it crossed Highway 508 and Raspberry Road near the Walsh community. The most significant damage was where it snapped multiple power poles and snapped/uprooted 20-30 trees on Highway 508.

Tornado, Lincoln

When: April 25, 12:47 AM CST to 1:00 AM CST
Where: Lincoln County, 0.79 mi NNW of Barnet Spgs to 1.77 mi NNE of Douglas
Rating: EF3
Path length: 11.15 mi
Path width: 1,000 yd
Deaths: 2 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 2 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $50 million
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 32.511, -92.673

An EF-3 tornado with maximum estimated winds near 145 mph touched down just northeast of the intersection of Highway 80 and Highway 818 where several trees were uprooted. It continued northeast, crossing South Maple Street where the tornado intensified, resulting in widespread tree damage just south of Highway 3012 along Wade Drive, Lind Drive, Robert Street, University Boulevard, and Shelor Drive. Many of these streets were impassable due to the significant number of trees snapped, twisted, and uprooted. Many more trees were downed on Highway 3012 before the tornado tracked northeast towards Westwood Drive. It uprooted a number of trees onto fraternity houses before it crossed the Kansas City Southern Railroad. The tornado crossed the railroad and bent or uprooted several large light poles on Louisiana Tech's softball, baseball, and neighboring athletic fields. It snapped a number of power poles as well. The tornado crossed Tech Drive and damaged a number of dormitories where it removed their metal roofs and blew out windows. It continued northeast where it uprooted more trees on Louisiana Tech's and Ruston High School's campuses. The estimated winds as the tornado tore through the western and northern sections of Louisiana Tech University ranged from 115-130 mph. The tornado crossed Greenwood Cemetery where it intensified again, resulting in a large number of trees being debarked with just the stubs of the large branches remaining in several areas. It continued with several business sustaining significant damage to their exterior brick walls and some interior walls. A hotel along Interstate 20 suffered the collapse of its top story's exterior walls. The tornado continued on to severely damage a gas station between Trenton and Vienna Streets just south of I-20, before crossing the interstate and weakened slightly but still resulted in considerable roof damage to several businesses along North Service Road East. The tornado then began to weaken, with more sporadic wind damage noted as it moved northeast towards Farmerville Highway. It crossed Farmerville Highway near Timberline Court uprooting a number of trees and continued northeast towards Haddox Road. The tornado then lifted and touched back down a few more times with the intermittent damage noted for the rest of its path. It uprooted a few more trees along Stable and Baxter Roads, destroyed a chicken house along Highway 820, before finally lifting just south of Oak Tree Road. The tornado resulted in two fatalities when a tree fell through their home, killing a 35 year old female and her 14 year old son just south of Interstate 20 in Ruston.

The Louisiana State Fire Marshal concluded that 22 buildings were destroyed by the tornado, 154 buildings sustained major damage, with 254 buildings receiving minor damage in the city of Ruston. The Louisiana Tech University campus had 16 buildings that could not be occupied, with the softball, baseball, and soccer fields, as well as 2 dormitories, suffering major damage. In all, approximately 1220 structures were affected by this tornado throughout Lincoln Parish.

Entergy Power Company concluded that 35 power poles were broken throughout the city of Ruston, with numerous spans of power lines also downed. Given the extensive damage throughout the city of Ruston, mandatory curfews were enforced by the Ruston Police Department, Lincoln Parish Sheriff's Department, and the Louisiana State Police.

Thunderstorm Wind, Union

When: April 25, 1:05 AM CST
Where: Union County, 0.59 mi ENE of Downsville
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.624, -92.411

Numerous trees and power lines were downed in the Downsville area.

Tornado, Union

When: April 25, 1:10 AM CST to 1:33 AM CST
Where: Union County, 4.26 mi SSE of Bayou D Arbonne Lake to 2.18 mi ESE of Dean
Rating: EF1
Path length: 21.37 mi
Path width: 850 yd
Property damage: $5.0 million
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 32.691, -92.397

An EF-1 tornado with maximum estimated winds near 110 mph first touched down in the Holmesville community, where it damaged a chicken house near the intersection of Highway 15 and Holmesville Road. It then crossed Highway 15 and uprooted trees along its path to Lake D'Arbonne. Before it crossed the lake, it uprooted several trees which fell on a home that sustained major structural damage from the fallen trees. After crossing Lake D-Arbonne, the tornado snapped and uprooted trees along McCormick Road and Fourway Loop Road. It then crossed Highway 2, with more intermittent damage noted with large limbs broken and trees uprooted until it reached Love Road. There, a more consistent damage path was found where trees were uprooted and snapped. The tornado continued to down trees and tore off shingles on the roof of a building as it crossed Highway 143 in the Linville community. The tornado then moved on to uproot and snap trees along Alabama Landing Road and Dean Haile Road before finally lifting just short of the Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge.

Four homes suffered major damage from this tornado, with twelve homes sustaining minor damage. In all, some form of residential damage occurred at approximately over one-hundred homes throughout Union Parish. Thirty-one businesses also suffered major damage. Numerous reports of major damage were also received to chicken farming areas across the southeast sections of Union Parish as a result of this tornado. Structural damage was sustained to several poultry houses, with the entire roofs removed.

Tornado, La Salle

When: April 25, 1:59 AM CST to 2:14 AM CST
Where: La Salle County, 1.62 mi NNW of Eden to 1.23 mi ENE of Summerville
Rating: EF0
Path length: 8.77 mi
Path width: 700 yd
Property damage: $350,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 31.672, -92.261

An EF-2 tornado with maximum estimated winds near 125 mph touched down near the intersection of June Lane and Searcy Eden Road, where it uprooted and snapped some trees and then proceeded northeast. The tornado paralleled Searcy Eden Road to LA Highway 500, where it uprooted and snapped several trees along its path. Just before reaching LA Highway 500, the tornado strengthened to its strongest where it tore off the right half of the roof of a well-constructed home and completely destroyed its carport. The tornado weakened slightly as it crossed LA Highway 500 where it uprooted and snapped numerous trees, some of which fell on a number of mobile homes. The tornado continued northeast where it crossed Highway 84 uprooting several more trees. It then weakened further while it paralleled Zimmer Creek Road and Parish Road 285. Additional tree damage was noted across these areas, but was more widely scattered in nature. The tornado crossed LA Highway 127 just south of the community of Summerville where it uprooted a few more trees, including one that fell onto the Summerville Baptist Church before it lifted just south of LA Highway 503 east of Summerville. The church steeple was also blown off.

One home was destroyed by the tornado and seven homes suffered minor damage. In addition, four mobile homes were destroyed and three mobile homes suffered minor damage.

Hail, Winn

When: April 25, 3:43 AM CST
Where: Winn County, 2.19 mi SW of Winnfield
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 31.899, -92.659

Pea to penny size hail fell just southwest of Winnfield.

Thunderstorm Wind, La Salle

When: April 25, 4:57 AM CST
Where: La Salle County, 1.46 mi NNW of White Sulphur Spgs
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 31.601, -92.276

Numerous trees were blown down in the White Sulphur Springs community.

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

Event	Date	Age	Sex	Where	Kind
Tornado, Lincoln	2019-04-25	35	Female	Permanent Home	Direct
Tornado, Lincoln	2019-04-25	14	Male	Permanent Home	Direct

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.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Louisiana in 2019 Every state in 2019 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Louisiana, 2019 Warnings in Louisiana, April 2019

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 2026-09-30. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 815573, 815576, 815575, 815577, 815579, 815578, 815580, 815581, 815582, 815583, 816381, 816594, 816382, 816595.