Tornadoes and Hail in Louisiana, January 11, 2020

Name: Tornadoes and Hail in Louisiana, January 11, 2020
Start: 2020-01-11T00:44
End: 2020-01-11T04:45
Location: Louisiana

January 11, 2020 · NWS SHV · 30 events in 11 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: 4
Injuries: 1
Property damage: $2.8 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 30

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 longwave trough emerged out of the Intermountain West and into the Central and Southern Plains during the daytime and evening hours of January 10th. A strong southerly return flow commenced out ahead of the trough during the 8th-9th, allowing for unseasonably warm and humid conditions to advance northward across Southern Oklahoma, much of Central and Eastern Texas, as well as Louisiana, Arkansas, and the Lower Mississippi Valley. Meanwhile, an intensifying surface low pressure system and associated dry line developed along the Red River of North Texas into Southern Oklahoma during the afternoon hours, which spread east northeast across the Ark-La-Tex during the early morning hours on January 11th. With afternoon temperatures climbing into the mid 70s ahead of this trough, moderate instability developed across the broad warm sector, with very strong wind shear in place as large scale forcing increased ahead of the trough axis across East Texas, Southeast Oklahoma, Southwest Arkansas, and North Louisiana. Thus, an axis of strong to severe showers and thunderstorms developed during the evening hours across Southeast Oklahoma, adjacent sections of Southwest Arkansas and East Texas, which advanced east into North Louisiana during the early morning hours of the 11th. Widespread damaging winds downed trees and power lines across much of Northwest and Northcentral Louisiana, with even a long track tornado developing along the line of severe thunderstorms across Central Bossier, Southern Webster, and Southern Claiborne Parishes. Another isolated tornado touched down in Western Union Parish, before these storms exited the region shortly before daybreak on the 11th. Unfortunately, these storms resulted in four fatalities across Northwest Louisiana, three of which occurred from the Haughton tornado.

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 Jan 10, 11:37 PM CST, 1 hour 7 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jan 10, 11:37 PM CST, 1 hour 7 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
1137 PM CST Fri Jan 10 2020

.AVIATION...
A convective line along a frontal boundary will move across the
region overnight with TSRA conditions expected from 11/06Z to
11/12Z. South winds 15 to 20 knots with higher gusts to become
southwest to west overnight behind the front. Expect stronger
winds in and around convection. Showers and thunderstorms to
diminish from the west with all areas clearing by 11/12Z. MVFR
ceilings forecast to linger through much of the day across most
TAF sites. Otherwise, northwest winds to increase to near 20 knots
with higher gusts on Saturday, diminishing to 5 to 10 knots after
12/00Z. /05/

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 1127 PM CST Fri Jan 10 2020/

UPDATE...

Removed Tornado Watch from McCurtain County in Oklahoma,
Sevier/Howard in Arkansas, and Franklin/Red River in Texas.
The remainder of Tornado Watch 5 remains in effect until 2 AM
Saturday morning. Also, made minor changes to temp and POPs grids
to account for current trends. Otherwise, the remainder of the
forecast remains on track. /20/

PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 415 PM CST Fri Jan 10 2020/

SHORT TERM.../Tonight through Saturday Night/

Significant Severe Weather Outbreak Expected Tonight...

Our widespread severe weather event that has been much-advertised
all this week is now imminent as an intense line of thunderstorms
continues to congeal along and east of I-35 in north central Texas
and eastern Oklahoma. This line will continue to intensify as it
accelerates eastward toward our region over the next several hours.
However, our more immediate concern will be for the development of
of some discrete storms in the form of supercells with an enhanced
tornadic threat should they develop in this increasingly sheared
environment with sfc-1km SRH values expected to surge to between
300-400 m2/s2. Add in the increasing instability aloft with the
advancing upper level trough as lapse rates near 8 degrees C/km,
and MUCAPE values push 1500 J/kg if not higher across the western
parts of the region. What little capping inversion may still exist
this afternoon should continue to erode over the next few hours,
and sfc-based storms should begin to fire well to the east of the
main line of storms to our west. The primary concern should these
storms initiate will be for rotating supercells and tornadoes as
the storms tap into an increasingly unstable and moisture rich
environment. A few high-end tornadoes will certainly be possible
given the parameters described above, and the environment would
allow for them to be sustained for some time as long-lived/long
track tornadoes can't be ruled out. This threat should continue
through the early evening hours preceding the main line of storms
approaching from the west.

By mid to late evening, the line of storms should begin to enter
our western zones in NE Texas and SE Oklahoma as the main threat
transitions more to damaging winds with some embedded tornadoes
still possible throughout the remainder of the event overnight
into early Saturday morning as the the line accelerates eastward.
The threat of 70-80 mph straight-line winds appears to be a threat
nearly areawide, prompting the very large Moderate Risk area which
covers practically all of our region. The other element of this
event that is particularly concerning is that it will be a mostly
overnight event, and threat of extreme straight-line winds will be
for downed trees and power lines in addition to the continued risk
of tornadoes within the QLCS. Heavy rainfall along the line could
also result in some localized flooding, and higher rain amounts
are still expected across our far northern zones where 2-3 inches
may fall with isolated higher amounts. Therefore, have maintained
the existing Flash Flood Watch for these areas through 6 AM Sat.
By that time, the line should be exiting our eastern zones with
the severe threat diminishing. Additional showers and sub-severe
storms will remain possible through the rest of Saturday morning,
mainly across our eastern and northern zones as the upper trough
and cold front continue to shift east.

Convection should completely exit the region later in the morning
on Saturday with clouds gradually clearing from SW to NE through
the afternoon. Cold air advection behind the front will result in
temperatures falling throughout the day as highs will likely occur
in the morning hours ahead of the front. A cold night will follow
on Saturday night with lows temperatures dropping into the mid to
upper 20s north to lower 30s south under clear skies and light
winds.

/19/

LONG TERM.../Sunday through Thursday Night/

Swly flow aloft ahead of a shortwave embedded within a broad-scale
trof axis in place across the wrn CONUS will become re-established
across our area. Shortwave will pass to our n relatively quietly
Sunday, as the boundary layer will not have ample return of moisture
for any convection. However, sly flow to return Monday ahead of yet
another embedded disturbance. Temps and moisture look to recover,
especially as a warm front moves back nwd into our area. Rain
chances to increase as a result, especially across the sern half of
the area. Shortwave to pass to our n leaving the boundary and rain
chances to linger through midweek. Main trof axis to finally push
ewd across the Southern Plains late Wednesday into Thursday,
bringing a brief cool down and reprieve from rain chances. /12/

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
SHV  54  55  30  58 / 100  30   0   0
MLU  62  63  31  58 / 100  60   0  10
DEQ  45  45  25  53 / 100  40   0   0
TXK  49  49  27  54 / 100  30   0   0
ELD  56  57  28  56 / 100  50   0   0
TYR  42  45  31  57 / 100  10   0   0
GGG  47  47  30  58 / 100  10   0   0
LFK  53  53  32  60 / 100  10   0   0

&&

.SHV WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AR...Lake Wind Advisory until 6 AM CST Saturday for ARZ050-051-
     059>061-070>073.

     Flash Flood Watch until 6 AM CST Saturday for ARZ050-051-059>061.

LA...Lake Wind Advisory until 6 AM CST Saturday for LAZ001>006-
     010>014-017>022.

OK...Lake Wind Advisory until 6 AM CST Saturday for OKZ077.

     Flash Flood Watch until 6 AM CST Saturday for OKZ077.

TX...Lake Wind Advisory until 6 AM CST Saturday for TXZ096-097-
     108>112-124>126-136>138-149>153-165>167.

     Flash Flood Watch until 6 AM CST Saturday for TXZ096.

&&

05/20/19/12

Hazardous weather outlook, Jan 10, 11:29 AM CST, 13 hours 15 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
1129 AM CST Fri Jan 10 2020

ARZ050-051-059>061-OKZ077-TXZ096-111730-
Sevier-Howard-Little River-Hempstead-Nevada-McCurtain-Red River-
1129 AM CST Fri Jan 10 2020

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

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

Storms will begin to develop as early as this afternoon across
portions of the region north of the I 30 corridor. Some of these
storms will produce widespread damaging winds, tornadoes, large
hail, and localized flash flooding. These threats will diminish
prior to sunrise Saturday.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday...

Scattered showers and thunderstorms will be possible Wednesday
ahead of another cold front. However, no hazardous weather is
expected.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Activation of emergency managers, amateur radio operators, and
storm spotters, will be needed late this afternoon through
tonight across the region.

ARZ070>073-LAZ001>006-010>014-017>022-TXZ097-108>112-124>126-
136>138-149>153-165>167-111730-
Miller-Lafayette-Columbia-Union-Caddo-Bossier-Webster-Claiborne-
Lincoln-De Soto-Red River-Bienville-Jackson-Ouachita-Sabine-
Natchitoches-Winn-Grant-Caldwell-La Salle-Bowie-Franklin-Titus-
Camp-Morris-Cass-Wood-Upshur-Marion-Smith-Gregg-Harrison-Cherokee-
Rusk-Panola-Nacogdoches-Shelby-Angelina-San Augustine-
1129 AM CST Fri Jan 10 2020

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

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

Storms will begin to develop as early as this afternoon across
portions of the region. Some of these storms will produce
widespread damaging winds, tornadoes, large hail, and locally
heavy rainfall, especially with the mail line of storms that will
move through tonight. The severe weather threat will diminish
from west to east across the region late tonight and early
Saturday morning.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday...

Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms will return the
region Monday through Wednesday. However, no hazardous weather is
expected.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Activation of emergency managers, amateur radio operators, and
storm spotters, will be needed this afternoon and tonight.

12

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jan 10, 11:48 PM CST, 56 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SHREVEPORT LA
1148 PM CST FRI JAN 10 2020

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

1102 PM     TSTM WND DMG     2 N LINDALE             32.53N 95.41W
01/10/2020                   SMITH              TX   911 CALL CENTER

            SEVERAL TREES DOWN.

&&

AS

Local storm report, Jan 10, 11:51 PM CST, 53 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SHREVEPORT LA
1151 PM CST FRI JAN 10 2020

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

1105 PM     TSTM WND DMG     WHITEHOUSE              32.23N 95.23W
01/10/2020                   SMITH              TX   911 CALL CENTER

            SEVERAL TREES DOWN.

&&

AS

Local storm report, Jan 10, 11:55 PM CST, 49 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SHREVEPORT LA
1155 PM CST FRI JAN 10 2020

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

1119 PM     TSTM WND DMG     2 NW RUSK               31.82N 95.16W
01/10/2020                   CHEROKEE           TX   EMERGENCY MNGR

            VEHICLE STRUCK A DOWNED TREE ON US HWY 69
            JUST NORTH OF RUSK.

&&

09

Local storm report, Jan 11, 12:04 AM CST, 40 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SHREVEPORT LA
1204 AM CST SAT JAN 11 2020

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

1150 PM     FLASH FLOOD      2 WSW WINNSBORO         32.95N 95.32W
01/10/2020                   WOOD               TX   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            BRIDGE FLOODED OUT ON CR 4200 WEST OF
            WINNSBORO.

&&

09

Local storm report, Jan 11, 12:07 AM CST, 37 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SHREVEPORT LA
1207 AM CST SAT JAN 11 2020

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

1130 PM     TSTM WND DMG     2 S KILGORE             32.36N 94.87W
01/10/2020                   RUSK               TX   EMERGENCY MNGR

            SEVERAL REPORTS OF TREES AND POWER LINES
            DOWN IN SOUTHERN PORTIONS OF KILGORE.

&&

09

Local storm report, Jan 11, 12:39 AM CST, 5 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SHREVEPORT LA
1239 AM CST SAT JAN 11 2020

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

1130 PM     TSTM WND DMG     2 SSW KILGORE           32.37N 94.88W
01/10/2020                   RUSK               TX   EMERGENCY MNGR

            ROOF DAMAGE REPORTED TO MULTIPLE COMMERCIAL
            BUILDINGS.

&&

09

The radar

The Shreveport radar (KSHV), 35 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 06:47 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

25 thunderstorm wind, 4 tornado, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Caddo

When: January 11, 12:44 AM CST
Where: Caddo County, 0.2 mi SSW of Caddo
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $125,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 32.748, -93.972

A damage survey confirmed that straight line winds estimated around 80 mph caused sporadic tree and branch damage along with some minor damage to homes in and near Oil City. One large tree was uprooted onto a home in Oil City, killing a 75 year old man inside.

Thunderstorm Wind, Caddo

When: January 11, 12:44 AM CST
Where: Caddo County, 1.03 mi WSW of Caddo
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.742, -93.985

Trees were blown down on Ferrylake Road in Oil City.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bossier

When: January 11, 1:07 AM CST
Where: Bossier County, 0.26 mi SE of Willow Chute
Measured: 91 kt (105 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1.3 million
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 32.668, -93.746

A damage survey confirmed that a confined area of straight line winds caused scattered property and tree damage just south of Benton. A number of light poles and business signs were broken and bent as a result of the high winds. Benton Middle School received the greatest damage where the entire metal roof of one of its classroom wings was completely peeled back and removed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bossier

When: January 11, 1:07 AM CST
Where: Bossier County, 0.7 mi NNE of Willow Chute
Measured: 87 kt (100 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.679, -93.745

Highway 3 between Burt Blvd to Highway 162 was temporarily closed due to debris in the roadway. The Sonic Restaurant sign on Burt Blvd was blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, De Soto

When: January 11, 1:07 AM CST
Where: De Soto County, 3.87 mi NE of Stonewall
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.319, -93.772

Trees were downed across Ranchette Road in Stonewall.

Thunderstorm Wind, Caddo

When: January 11, 1:10 AM CST
Where: Caddo County, 1.13 mi SSE of Forbing
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 32.385, -93.723

Wind gusts were estimated to be near 60 mph in Southeast Shreveport.

Thunderstorm Wind, Caddo

When: January 11, 1:10 AM CST
Where: Caddo County, 0.36 mi WNW of Shreveport
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 32.483, -93.755

Power lines were blown down onto the exit ramp of Interstate 49 at Kings Highway, some of which landed on a Shreveport police vehicle. However, the officer inside was not injured and was later rescued. Other debris was blown onto the southbound and northbound lanes of I-49 between Kings Highway and Interstate 20, prompting the closure of that section of the interstate.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bossier

When: January 11, 1:11 AM CST
Where: Bossier County, 2.05 mi NW of Bossier City
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 32.540, -93.746

The Shreveport Downtown Airport (KDTN) measured a wind gust of 59 mph.

Hail, Caddo

When: January 11, 1:12 AM CST
Where: Caddo County, 1.37 mi E of Shreveport
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 32.482, -93.727

Nickel size hail fell in East Shreveport.

Thunderstorm Wind, De Soto

When: January 11, 1:19 AM CST
Where: De Soto County, 3.74 mi WNW of Trenton
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 31.941, -93.782

Trees were blown down near the intersection of Jesse Wyatt Road and Highway 481.

Thunderstorm Wind, Caddo

When: January 11, 1:20 AM CST
Where: Caddo County, 0.52 mi SE of Robson
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 32.364, -93.644

Major distribution power lines were downed across the roadways at the Port of Caddo-Bossier.

Tornado, Bossier

When: January 11, 1:24 AM CST to 1:32 AM CST
Where: Bossier County, 0.66 mi NW of Sligo to 3.61 mi ESE of Haughton
Rating: EF2
Path length: 8.84 mi
Path width: 300 yd
Continued into: Webster, La (SHV)
Deaths: 3 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 32.457, -93.588

A long track 40+ mile long EF-2 tornado with estimated maximum winds near 135 mph first touched down just south of Barksdale Air Force Base off of Sligo Road in Central Bossier Parish, where it snapped and uprooted hundreds of softwood and hardwood trees and damaged several carports and outbuildings. The tornado then crossed the far southeast corner of Barksdale Air Force Base where at least one hundred trees were snapped or uprooted. After the tornado exited the corner of Barksdale Air Force Base, it strengthened south of Haughton to produce its most significant damage, completely destroying a single-wide manufactured home and a double-wide manufactured home off of Davis Road. Two fatalities (a 79 year old male and his 65 year old wife) occurred in the double-wide with an additional fatality (an 87 year old male) occurring in the single-wide. The tornado continued to produce roof damage and uproot and snap trees which fell into homes in Eastern Bossier Parish, concentrated most along James Lane. The tornado continued moving northeast across Oliver Road and Camp Zion Road, where numerous trees were snapped and uprooted, while also removing siding off of a single-wide manufactured home, and ripping a portion of the metal exterior and doors off of the Bossier Parish Fire District 1 Station 6 building, as well as tearing off some vinyl siding to a mobile home living quarters located next door, before crossing over into Webster Parish.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bossier

When: January 11, 1:25 AM CST
Where: Bossier County, 2.4 mi SSE of Bellevue
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.638, -93.515

Numerous trees were downed along Wilson Lane north of Haughton.

Thunderstorm Wind, De Soto

When: January 11, 1:25 AM CST
Where: De Soto County, 0.88 mi E of Mansfield
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.032, -93.705

Trees were downed across Oxford Road in Mansfield.

Tornado, Webster

When: January 11, 1:32 AM CST to 1:50 AM CST
Where: Webster County, 2.37 mi SW of Doyline to 1.51 mi NE of Nine Forks
Rating: EF2
Path length: 16.69 mi
Path width: 300 yd
Continued into: Claiborne, La (SHV)
Property damage: $750,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 32.504, -93.446

This is the continuation of the Bossier Parish EF-2 tornado. This tornado weakened slightly as it crossed Pilgrim Rest Road, and tracked northeast before entering the southern sections of Doyline, downing hundreds of trees as it crossed Highways 163 and 164, before entering the extreme southeast corner of Camp Minden. The tornado then tore through the town of Sibley and the northern fringes of Dubberly, where it downed trees and power lines, damaged a metal barn, the roof of a home, and destroyed a shed on Wallraven Road. An 18-wheeler trailer was overturned at the South Webster Industrial Park in Sibley, and a building, fencing, and equipment were damaged at an oil field service company at the park. Just before the tornado crossed Interstate 20 between exits 49 and 52, it developed a much wider swath of damaging straight line winds with its rear flank downdraft near and just south of the tornado track. In fact, a large sign was blown over onto an 18-wheeler at Love's Truckstop at I-20 Exit 49 (Highway 531). After it crossed Interstate 20 southeast of Minden, the tornado then rolled a single-wide mobile home on Fuller Cemetery Road near the Nine Forks community and damaged the roofs of two structures before it moved into Southwest Claiborne Parish. The tornadic winds as it tracked through Southern Webster Parish did weaken slightly from its estimated maximum winds in Eastern Bossier Parish, and ranged from 95-110 mph, which is in the EF-1 range. At least 120 broken power poles and over 250 spans of downed wire were the result of this tornado and associated widespread damaging winds near Doyline, Sibley, Dubberly, and Minden. Significant damage was done to the major power distribution lines that feed the town of Sibley and the South Webster Industrial District.

Thunderstorm Wind, De Soto

When: January 11, 1:40 AM CST
Where: De Soto County, 3.22 mi E of Goss
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.074, -93.515

Trees were downed across Highway 84 east of Interstate 49 near the Red River Parish line.

Thunderstorm Wind, Webster

When: January 11, 1:40 AM CST
Where: Webster County, 0.98 mi SSW of Sibley
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 32.517, -93.307

A concrete baseball dugout at the Lakeside Jr/Sr. High School was destroyed with the roof being thrown into and damaging the new track field, while the other dugout was moved off its foundation. An awning at the school was also damaged as well.

Thunderstorm Wind, Bienville

When: January 11, 1:48 AM CST
Where: Bienville County, 3.91 mi WNW of Taylor
Measured: 83 kt (96 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 32.581, -93.176

Numerous trees and power lines were downed across Highway 80 at the Bienville/Webster Parish line, prompting the closure of the road.

Tornado, Claiborne

When: January 11, 1:50 AM CST to 2:05 AM CST
Where: Claiborne County, 6.46 mi W of Darley to 0.25 mi WNW of Hurricane
Rating: EF2
Path length: 6.26 mi
Path width: 300 yd
Property damage: $75,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 32.594, -93.181

This is a continuation of the Southern Webster Parish EF-2 tornado. This tornado continued on the ground intermittently east-northeast throughout Southern Claiborne Parish, snapping and uprooting numerous trees as it crossed Harris Road, Old Arcadia Road, Faulk Road, Sherrill Road, and Highway 154 south of Athens. The tornado produced partial roof damage to approximately a half dozen chicken houses and shingle and partial roof damage to several other structures, especially off of Buckner Road, Cook Road, and Highway 519 before finally lifting. In addition, widespread straight line winds estimated at 90-100 mph along the path of the tornado led to extensive tree damage. Estimated maximum winds from this tornado throughout Southern Claiborne Parish ranged from 90-105 mph, consistent with an EF-1 tornado but weaker than the estimated maximum winds near 135 mph that was surveyed in Eastern Bossier Parish. The total track length of this tornado when it initially touched down in Central Bossier Parish to when it lifted in Southern Claiborne Parish was just under 41 miles.

Thunderstorm Wind, Red River

When: January 11, 2:07 AM CST
Where: Red River County, 1.46 mi NNW of Lake End
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 31.941, -93.326

One tree and a large branch were blown down onto Highway 1 between the Hanna and Lake End communities.

Tornado, Union

When: January 11, 2:19 AM CST to 2:23 AM CST
Where: Union County, 3.88 mi E of Cooley to 3.36 mi SSE of Mt Union
Rating: EF1
Path length: 3.05 mi
Path width: 250 yd
Property damage: $60,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 32.865, -92.563

An EF-1 tornado with estimated maximum winds near 107 mph touched down on the east side of Highway 550 between Milton and Mariola Road. Here, it uprooted and snapped softwood trees, before continuing northeast in the embedded squall line which was also doing wind damage along both sides of the main tornado path. The most significant tornado damage occurred along Clayton Foster and Christine Roads, where it completely tore off the metal roofs from two chicken houses, and snapped and uprooted several hardwood and softwood trees. Additional chicken house damage occurred on the south end of the tornado closer to Christine Road, where a portion of the tin roof was peeled back, and metal roofing was thrown hundreds of feet along the main tornado path. The tornado finished its life cycle along Thomas Wade Road, where it ripped more metal roofing from chicken houses, and tossed them in a southerly direction away from the main circulation. The tornado lifted at this location, although areas near and east of Highway 15 continued to experience straight line wind damage along the path of the squall line as it moved across Central Union Parish.

Thunderstorm Wind, Union

When: January 11, 2:27 AM CST
Where: Union County, 4.99 mi W of Conway
Measured: 74 kt (85 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.871, -92.485

Numerous trees and power lines were downed blocking Highway 15 between Farmerville and Spearsville.

Thunderstorm Wind, Union

When: January 11, 2:30 AM CST
Where: Union County, 2.75 mi S of Laran
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.930, -92.485

Numerous trees and power lines were downed throughout Union Parish, prompting the closure of several roads including Highway 3121 north of Spearsville, and Highway 550 between Bridges Grocery and Highway 549.

Thunderstorm Wind, Union

When: January 11, 2:45 AM CST
Where: Union County, 0.65 mi N of Quigley
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.859, -92.299

Trees and power lines were downed along Highway 33 near the Quigley community.

Thunderstorm Wind, Union

When: January 11, 2:45 AM CST
Where: Union County, 1.34 mi SW of Quigley
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.836, -92.316

Numerous trees and power lines were downed on Highway 33 between Farmerville and Marion.

Thunderstorm Wind, Natchitoches

When: January 11, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Natchitoches County, 1.96 mi ENE of Natchez
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 31.695, -93.022

Some shingles were blown off of a roof of a home just north of Natchez. One inch tree limbs were snapped as well. Report from mPING.

Thunderstorm Wind, Union

When: January 11, 3:25 AM CST
Where: Union County, 2.28 mi N of Rocky Branch
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.713, -92.200

Trees were downed on Highway 2 near Pondee Road in the Crossroads community.

Thunderstorm Wind, Grant

When: January 11, 3:47 AM CST
Where: Grant County, 3.02 mi ENE of Mc Neeley
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 31.523, -92.656

Trees and power lines were downed throughout the southern half of Grant Parish.

Thunderstorm Wind, Caldwell

When: January 11, 4:25 AM CST
Where: Caldwell County, 0.87 mi SW of Spaulding
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 31.940, -92.190

One tree was downed on Madison Lane near Highway 165 south of the Kelly community.

Thunderstorm Wind, Grant

When: January 11, 4:45 AM CST
Where: Grant County, 0.99 mi NE of Pollock
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 31.530, -92.408

Trees and power lines downed near Pollock.

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
Thunderstorm Wind, Caddo	2020-01-11	75	Male	Permanent Home	Direct
Tornado, Bossier	2020-01-11	65	Female	Mobile/Trailer Home	Direct
Tornado, Bossier	2020-01-11	87	Male	Mobile/Trailer Home	Direct
Tornado, Bossier	2020-01-11	79	Male	Mobile/Trailer Home	Direct

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

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Louisiana in 2020 Every state in 2020 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Louisiana, 2020 Warnings in Louisiana, January 2020

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 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 866671, 866672, 866674, 866678, 866680, 866675, 866676, 866677, 867066, 866682, 867096, 866960, 866683, 866684, 866988, 866685, 867097, 867095, 867056, 866686, 866687, 867059, 867057, 867058, 867060, 867061, 867062, 867063, 867064, 867065.