Flash Flooding and Hail in Louisiana, April 7, 2019

Name: Flash Flooding and Hail in Louisiana, April 7, 2019
Start: 2019-04-07T02:35
End: 2019-04-07T20:00
Location: Louisiana

April 7, 2019 · NWS SHV · 16 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: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 16

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 warm front mixed north across portions of Deep East Texas to near the Louisiana/Arkansas border during the early morning hours of April 7th, but steep lapse rates aloft and a shortwave trough which ejected northeast over Northeast Texas, North Louisiana, and Southern Arkansas enhanced the development of scattered elevated strong to severe thunderstorms across portions of North Louisiana near and north of the front. Several reports of large hail were received from these storms during the early morning hours prior to daybreak, with additional strong to severe thunderstorms developing later in the afternoon ahead of the primary upper level trough that lifted east out of Southwest New Mexico and across much of Central Texas and Louisiana. These storms eventually diminished during the late afternoon hours once the upper trough shifted east of the region into the Lower Mississippi Valley.

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 6, 10:58 PM CST, 3 hours 37 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 6, 10:58 PM CST, 3 hours 37 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
1158 PM CDT Sat Apr 6 2019

.UPDATE...
Scattered showers and thunderstorms continue over portions of
Northeast and Central Louisiana, but this activity should continue
to push out of those areas over the next few hours. There could be
some local heavy rain with the remaining storms, as they are
moving slowly to the northeast and have been producing 1-2 inches
per hour. Also, a marginal threat for severe weather remains with
the current activity, but the severe activity has diminished over
the past hour, which allowed the previous Tornado Watch to expire
at 10 pm. Short-term models continue to indicate another round of
showers and isolated thunderstorms will develop north of
Interstate 30 after 2 am and slowly move to the ENE through
sunrise, mainly across Southeast Oklahoma, adjacent Southwest
Arkansas, and portions of Northeast Texas. Temperatures will
remain steady during the overnight period and may even rise a
couple degrees in some locations, as cloud cover and southeast
winds hang across the region. /20/

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 1147 PM CDT Sat Apr 6 2019/

AVIATION...
Ceilings to become MVFR overnight with showers and thunderstorms
returning shortly after daybreak across area terminals. -TSRA
conditions expected through much of the day Sunday. Otherwise,
southeast winds around 5 to 10 knots expected through the
overnight hours, decreasing to 5 knots after 07/12Z. Winds to
become light and variable after 08/00Z with MVFR conditions
and patchy light rain possible through Sunday evening. /05/

PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 443 PM CDT Sat Apr 6 2019/

SHORT TERM.../Tonight through Sunday Night/

A diffuse warm front is still located roughly from near Lufkin TX,
to Mansfield LA, and eastward. North of the front, convection is
elevated and could at times pose a marginal threat for severe
hail and damaging winds. Farther south, in the vicinity of the
front and in the warm sector, conditions are much different.
Storms are surface-based and low-level shear is maximized along
the frontal boundary. This has lead to the storms becoming more
supercellular in nature, and thus, and increased severe weather
threat. The earlier round of showers and storms combined with the
farther south position of the warm front has yielded a very tight
instability gradient near the warm, but CAPE values between
1000-1500 J/kg can still be found across Deep East Texas and
Central Louisiana. The greatest risk for severe weather should
continue to be over East Texas south of Interstate 20.

The severe weather threat should quickly diminish this evening as
instability wanes and a lead upper shortwave trough lifts
northeast from Nebraska towards the Upper Mississippi River
Valley. However, another round of strong to severe convection is
expected to develop during the overnight and early morning hours
of Sunday as an upper trough over Southwest New Mexico moves east
towards the Big Bend Region and along the Interstate 10 corridor.
Convection will likely become widespread after sunrise Sunday
morning and will persist for much of the day.

Unlike today, the entire forecast area should be within the warm
sector on Sunday, so a severe weather threat will once again be in
play for the entire area. Damaging winds, large hail, and isolated
tornadoes will be possible. The storm mode and development should
be fairly similar to today. In fact, the tornado threat may
actually be a bit higher Sunday afternoon south of Interstate 20,
as the models suggest surface winds may strongly back as a surface
low strengthens northwest of Houston. The severe weather threat
should once again diminish Sunday night. However, convection will
likely persist as the upper trough and associated surface low will
be moving eastward very slowly.

CN

LONG TERM.../Monday through Saturday Night/

Slow moving upper trough will close off and become partially cut off
from the mean flow directly over the heart of the cwa Monday
morning. Have raised pops Monday and have added low pops Monday
night on account of this slowing trend and associated expected
lift underneath the tight upper low. Pops will remain high with
saturated airmass underneath the low, with a gradual drying in the
mid lvls as the low drifts east of the MS River late Monday
night. A slow movg low amplitude ridge will then remain ovhd thru
mid week. A large upper low to remain diverted north into midwest
with trailing frontal boundary movg across area Thursday.
Confidence too low on any measurable rain that could be squeezed
out of this frontal boundary absent of upper support. A deep upper
low movg across four corners will be better positioned to pump
moisture in deep sw flow and will gradually increase pops into
next weekend as a result. Warm air and spring pattern dictate to
expect tstms but too early to gauge svr threat attm.

/07/

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
SHV  74  65  76  62 /  80  60  70  80
MLU  75  66  78  62 /  60  60  80  80
DEQ  70  59  75  59 /  80  60  60  60
TXK  72  62  74  60 /  80  60  60  70
ELD  73  64  76  61 /  80  60  70  80
TYR  73  63  72  60 /  80  40  60  70
GGG  73  63  74  61 /  80  60  70  70
LFK  76  63  75  62 /  70  50  80  80

&&

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

20

Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 6, 11:16 AM CST, 15 hours 19 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
1216 PM CDT Sat Apr 6 2019

TXZ124>126-136>138-149>153-165>167-071100-
Wood-Upshur-Marion-Smith-Gregg-Harrison-Cherokee-Rusk-Panola-
Nacogdoches-Shelby-Angelina-San Augustine-Sabine-
1216 PM CDT Sat Apr 6 2019

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

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

A Tornado Watch is in effect until 6 PM CDT this afternoon.

Strong to severe thunderstorms are likely today ahead of a strong
upper level trough. The storms are expected to intensify as a warm
front moves northward and instability increases. The severe
weather threat should gradually diminish this evening. However,
strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to redevelop late
tonight and into the early morning hours of Sunday over portions
of East Texas.

During both rounds of severe weather, the primary threats will be
isolated tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail. Locally heavy
rainfall may also lead to isolated flash flooding, especially
where storms repeatedly move over the same locations.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday...

Strong to severe thunderstorms are likely Sunday and should become
widespread by Sunday afternoon. Isolated tornadoes, damaging
winds, and large hail will be the primary threats. Locally heavy
rainfall may also lead to isolated flash flooding. The threat for
severe weather and heavy rainfall should diminish from southwest
to northeast Sunday night, but a few isolated thunderstorms may
persist until late Monday afternoon.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will likely be needed this afternoon and again
late tonight and into Sunday.

ARZ050-051-059>061-070>073-LAZ001>006-010>014-017>022-OKZ077-
TXZ096-097-108>112-071100-
Sevier-Howard-Little River-Hempstead-Nevada-Miller-Lafayette-
Columbia-Union-Caddo-Bossier-Webster-Claiborne-Lincoln-De Soto-
Red River-Bienville-Jackson-Ouachita-Sabine-Natchitoches-Winn-
Grant-Caldwell-La Salle-McCurtain-Bowie-Franklin-Titus-Camp-
Morris-Cass-
1216 PM CDT Sat Apr 6 2019

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

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

Strong to severe thunderstorms are likely today ahead of a strong
upper level trough. The storms are expected to intensify as a warm
front moves northward and instability increases. The severe
weather threat should gradually diminish this evening. However,
strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to redevelop late
tonight and into the early morning hours of Sunday over portions
of East Texas, Southwest Arkansas, and Northwest Louisiana.

During both rounds of severe weather, the primary threats will be
isolated tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail. Locally heavy
rainfall may also lead to isolated flash flooding, especially
where storms repeatedly move over the same locations.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday...

Strong to severe thunderstorms are likely Sunday and should become
widespread by Sunday afternoon. Isolated tornadoes, damaging
winds, and large hail will be the primary threats. Locally heavy
rainfall may also lead to isolated flash flooding. The threat for
severe weather and heavy rainfall should diminish from southwest
to northeast Sunday night, but a few isolated thunderstorms may
persist until late Monday afternoon.

Isolated thunderstorms will be possible Thursday afternoon and
evening over portions of Southern Arkansas and North Central
Louisiana as a cold front moves across the region.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will likely be needed this afternoon and again
late tonight and into Sunday.

09

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Apr 6, 9:42 PM CST, 4 hours 53 minutes before

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Special weather statement, Apr 6, 10:16 PM CST, 4 hours 19 minutes before

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Special weather statement, Apr 6, 10:18 PM CST, 4 hours 17 minutes before

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Local storm report, Apr 6, 11:11 PM CST, 3 hours 24 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SHREVEPORT LA
1211 AM CDT SUN APR 7 2019

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

0643 PM     HAIL             ALTO                    31.65N 95.07W
04/06/2019  E4.00 INCH       CHEROKEE           TX   PUBLIC

            PICTURE OF SOFTBALL SIZE HAIL IN ALTO VIA
            SOCIAL MEDIA.

&&

20

Special weather statement, Apr 6, 11:11 PM CST, 3 hours 24 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
1211 AM CDT Sun Apr 7 2019

LAZ014-019-021-022-070615-
Caldwell LA-Winn LA-La Salle LA-Ouachita LA-
1211 AM CDT Sun Apr 7 2019

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR CALDWELL...NORTHWESTERN LA
SALLE...SOUTHEASTERN OUACHITA AND EAST CENTRAL WINN PARISHES UNTIL
115 AM CDT...

At 1210 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Columbia, moving northeast at 30 mph.

Half inch hail and winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Columbia, Olla, Clarks, Grayson, Urania, Spaulding, Bosco,
Burlington, Riverton, Standard and Kelly.

LAT...LON 3207 9193 3205 9191 3181 9223 3188 9247
      3245 9194 3238 9200 3228 9203 3227 9199
      3226 9200 3225 9199 3223 9201 3221 9199
      3219 9201 3220 9197 3217 9198 3217 9194
      3216 9189 3214 9190 3212 9187 3209 9187
TIME...MOT...LOC 0510Z 223DEG 28KT 3212 9209

09

Special weather statement, Apr 7, 2:02 AM CST, 33 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
302 AM CDT Sun Apr 7 2019

LAZ001>003-010-070845-
De Soto LA-Bossier LA-Caddo LA-Webster LA-
302 AM CDT Sun Apr 7 2019

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHERN WEBSTER...NORTH CENTRAL
DE SOTO...SOUTHEASTERN CADDO AND SOUTHEASTERN BOSSIER PARISHES UNTIL
345 AM CDT...

At 302 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 12
miles northeast of Stonewall, or 12 miles south of Bossier City,
moving northeast at 50 mph.

Penny size hail will be possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Shreveport, Minden, Haughton, Sibley, Doyline, Dubberly, Dixie Inn,
Heflin, Curtis, Taylortown, Elm Grove, Plum Orchard Landing, Koran,
Gilark, Noles Landing, Lake Bistineau North, Robson, Mc Dade, Sligo
and Ogden.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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 3241 9335 3241 9337 3239 9339 3240 9342
      3237 9342 3226 9361 3227 9369 3229 9374
      3231 9373 3234 9374 3273 9334 3271 9319
      3251 9318
TIME...MOT...LOC 0801Z 221DEG 43KT 3234 9363

15

The radar

The Shreveport radar (KSHV), 52 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 08:37 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

9 hail, 5 thunderstorm wind, 2 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Webster

When: April 7, 2:35 AM CST
Where: Webster County, 0.65 mi N of Sibley
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 32.539, -93.301

Quarter size hail fell just outside of Sibley off of Highway 164.

Hail, Webster

When: April 7, 2:40 AM CST
Where: Webster County, 1.23 mi E of Shreveport Jct
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 32.582, -93.279

Ping pong ball size hail fell on Penal Farm Road just south of Minden.

Hail, Webster

When: April 7, 2:45 AM CST
Where: Webster County, 2.32 mi NW of Nine Forks
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 32.608, -93.222

Penny size hail fell between Old Arcadia Road and Highway 80 on the east side of Minden.

Hail, Claiborne

When: April 7, 3:03 AM CST
Where: Claiborne County, 1.21 mi NE of Homer
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.791, -93.054

Dime to penny size hail fell in Downtown Homer.

Hail, Union

When: April 7, 3:28 AM CST
Where: Union County, 0.51 mi W of Bernice
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.819, -92.659

Dime to penny size hail fell in Bernice.

Hail, Union

When: April 7, 3:35 AM CST
Where: Union County, 0.59 mi N of Spearsville
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 32.938, -92.599

Quarter size hail fell in Spearsville. Report via the Union Parish Sheriff's Facebook page.

Hail, Union

When: April 7, 1:10 PM CST
Where: Union County, 0.56 mi NW of Truxno
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 32.955, -92.408

Pictures of quarter size hail covering the ground in the Truxno community were posted to the Union Parish Sheriff's Facebook page.

Hail, Ouachita

When: April 7, 1:35 PM CST
Where: Ouachita County, 1.69 mi ESE of Luna
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 32.322, -92.203

A video of quarter size hail that fell in the Luna community was posted to the KTVE-TV Facebook page.

Thunderstorm Wind, Union

When: April 7, 2:30 PM CST
Where: Union County, 1.69 mi N of Oakland
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 33.004, -92.345

Several trees were blown down in and near the Oakland community.

Hail, Union

When: April 7, 2:55 PM CST
Where: Union County, 0.82 mi W of Farmerville
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 32.772, -92.414

Quarter size hail fell on the west side of Farmerville. Report via social media.

Thunderstorm Wind, Grant

When: April 7, 3:45 PM CST
Where: Grant County, 2.14 mi NNE of Colfax
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 31.549, -92.708

Numerous trees were downed just north of Colfax.

Thunderstorm Wind, Grant

When: April 7, 3:45 PM CST
Where: Grant County, 2.44 mi N of Colfax
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 31.555, -92.724

Trees were downed blocking Highway 71 north of Highway 158.

Thunderstorm Wind, Grant

When: April 7, 3:50 PM CST
Where: Grant County, 3.65 mi ENE of Mc Neeley
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.528, -92.647

Multiple trees were downed across the western side of Grant Parish.

Thunderstorm Wind, Grant

When: April 7, 4:10 PM CST
Where: Grant County, 1.19 mi W of Pollock
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 31.520, -92.440

Several trees were blown down just west of Pollock.

Flash Flood, Grant

When: April 7, 4:15 PM CST to 8:00 PM CST
Where: Grant County, 1.52 mi NW of Montgomery to 1.63 mi NNW of Hargis
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 31.686, -92.917

Many roads on the west side of Grant Parish were barricaded due to flooding.

Flash Flood, Lincoln

When: April 7, 5:15 PM CST to 8:00 PM CST
Where: Lincoln County, 0.43 mi NNW of Grambling to 0.28 mi ENE of Grambling
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 32.526, -92.722

Extensive flash flooding occurred throughout the campus of Grambling State University. Numerous roads were underwater and closed, and several cars were submerged. Water entered a number of buildings on campus. This flooding forced the closure of the university.

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
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 2019 Every state in 2019 This day in weather history 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 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 808940, 808941, 808942, 808943, 808944, 808945, 808946, 808947, 808948, 808949, 808951, 808954, 808953, 808950, 808952, 808955.