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…
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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 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. Additional showers and thunderstorms developed farther north of the warm front along the I-20 corridor of East Texas, with locally heavy rainfall of 3-6+ inches resulting in areas of flash flooding across Southwest and Central Smith County.
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, 6:19 PM CST, 41 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED National Weather Service Shreveport LA 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/ && .PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 259 PM CDT Wed Apr 24 2019/ SHORT TERM.../Tonight through Thursday night/ A line of thunderstorms has developed over Central Texas this afternoon and will continue to shift east as the upper trough moves towards the region. The surface low out ahead of it is continuing to lift warm, moist air northward increasing the instability in our area, particularly our southern zones. Also, winds are beginning to veer with height as the low approaches increasing the SRH across this region as well. Thus, damaging wind gusts and isolated tornadoes will be possible and are the primary threats across Deep East Texas and Central Louisiana later this evening into the overnight hours. Just to the northeast of the surface low, heavy rainfall is currently ongoing and will continue into sections of Northeast Texas later this evening. Could see rainfall totals averaging 2 inches in this area with some locally higher amounts possible. The weak cold front will push through the area from west to east during the early morning hours tomorrow. Short range models are showing a brief ending to the rain before wrap-around precipitation moves into the area during the late morning hours lasting quite possibly into the afternoon. Low temperatures tonight should not get below the low to mid 60s while high temperatures on Thursday will struggle to reach the mid 70s. /35/ LONG TERM.../Friday through Wednesday/ Currently this Wednesday afternoon, a short wave trough centered over NW old Mexico and the TX Big Bend to move E into the SE U.S. by Friday morning. By Friday morning, expect negative vorticity advection and weak cold air advection in the wake of the trough to produce dry weather for at least Saturday. By Sunday, a weak cold front pushes down to the Red River across NE TX and S OK with some SCT showers and perhaps even a TSTM possible Sunday. This front washes out by Monday with dry weather expected that day as well. By Tuesday, another short wave trough ejects NE from the intermountain W and traverses the central U.S. with a chance of showers and TSTMS for the beginning of May. /VIII/. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... SHV 62 74 58 78 / 90 60 10 0 MLU 66 78 59 77 / 90 70 20 0 DEQ 60 74 52 77 / 100 80 10 0 TXK 61 73 55 76 / 100 70 10 0 ELD 63 74 56 77 / 80 70 10 0 TYR 60 75 56 77 / 100 50 10 0 GGG 61 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 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.
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Shreveport LA 717 PM CDT Wed Apr 24 2019 TXZ124-125-136>138-150-250100- Upshur TX-Gregg TX-Smith TX-Harrison TX-Wood TX-Rusk TX- 717 PM CDT Wed Apr 24 2019 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EASTERN SMITH...WEST CENTRAL HARRISON...NORTHWESTERN RUSK...SOUTHEASTERN WOOD...UPSHUR AND GREGG COUNTIES UNTIL 800 PM CDT... At 717 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10 miles east of Tyler, moving northeast at 45 mph. Pea size hail and winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Tyler, Longview, Kilgore, White Oak, Gladewater, Gilmer, Overton, Big Sandy, Hawkins, New London, Arp, Clarksville City, East Mountain, Diana, Rosewood, Liberty City, West Mountain, New Chapel Hill, Winona and Union Grove. 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 3218 9504 3239 9541 3290 9508 3265 9460 TIME...MOT...LOC 0017Z 212DEG 39KT 3239 9513 19
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Shreveport LA 800 PM CDT Wed Apr 24 2019 TXZ124-125-136-250200- Upshur TX-Smith TX-Wood TX- 800 PM CDT Wed Apr 24 2019 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHEASTERN SMITH...SOUTHEASTERN WOOD AND WESTERN UPSHUR COUNTIES UNTIL 900 PM CDT... At 800 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Big Sandy, or 10 miles west of Gladewater, moving northeast at 25 mph. Winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Gilmer, Big Sandy, Hawkins, Rosewood, Winona, Red Springs, Bettie, Grice 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 3236 9509 3244 9531 3290 9514 3280 9484 TIME...MOT...LOC 0100Z 200DEG 16KT 3256 9513 19
The Shreveport radar (KSHV), 147 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 00:58 UTC.
4 flash flood, 2 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
County Road 1139 was closed at the intersection of Maple Drive in the Indian Creek area due to flooding.
Farm to Market Road 14 at Interstate 20 was closed due to flooding.
Several roads were covered in high water in the Emerald Bay subdivision near Lake Palestine.
A picture was posted to social media of high water which covered many streets in Flint.
An EF-2 tornado with maximum estimated winds of 130 mph first touched down along County Road 1277 where it uprooted and snapped numerous trees as it paralleled the road. It then widened and moved across Cedar Road where extensive tree damage led to structural damage to 54 structures in a neighborhood. As it continued, it ripped the awning off of a gas station and snapped the electrical transmission tower of a sub-station near the intersection of Highway 96 and Highway 21. A laundromat and several additional structures saw extensive damage as the tornado moved across the northern side of Downtown San Augustine. After tearing through the northern part of the city, it continued to uproot and snap trees nearby along County Road 353 before lifting just prior to the Shelby County line.
Initial assessments found that around 150 homes and about 10 businesses were damaged from this tornado across San Augustine County.
An EF-1 tornado with maximum estimated winds around 105 mph touched down just west of Toledo Bend Reservoir in Eastern Shelby County Texas near Forest Service Road 126 and continued northeast crossing County Road 2789 and County Road 3184 just north of Forest Service Road 126A. The tornado continued east along Forest Service Road 126 before crossing Forest Service Road 132, and eventually over Toledo Bend Reservoir into Northwest Sabine Parish Louisiana. Numerous trees were snapped and uprooted along the tornado's path across the Sabine National Forest before crossing Toledo Bend Reservoir.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Texas in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Texas, 2019Warnings in Texas, April 2019
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: 814380, 814381, 814383, 814385, 814390, 814397.