A series of short waves moved across the region during late December causing multiple rounds of severe weather and flooding. One long lived tornado formed southeast of Houston and moved across deep southeast Texas before crossing into Louisiana.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS LCH wrote it up.
A series of short waves moved across the region during late December causing multiple rounds of severe weather and flooding. One long lived tornado formed southeast of Houston and moved across deep southeast Texas before crossing into Louisiana.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Lake Charles, LA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Dec 26, 5:51 PM CST, 2 hours 4 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Lake Charles LA 551 PM CST Thu Dec 26 2024 ...New AVIATION... .SHORT TERM... (Tonight through Saturday night) Issued at 300 PM CST Thu Dec 26 2024 Afternoon surface analysis shows low pressure near DFW, with a warm from extending SE towards Galveston Bay and a stationary front near the I-35 corridor. Aloft, a rather robust shortwave is noted in water vapor imagery over north TX, near the surface low. Along and east of these features widespread, robust convection is ongoing across east TX and west LA, and a Tornado Watch is currently ongoing for our SE TX counties through 7PM with eastward expansion of the watch possible over the next few hours. Now through sunset, convection will continue to expand in coverage and intensity across our SE TX counties. This area, excluding coastal SE TX, has been upgraded to an Enhanced Risk (level 3 of 5) for severe weather today/tonight (coastal SE TX is included in the Slight Risk (2 of 5). In addition, SPC has outlined our SE TX counties along and north of I-10 in an 30% hatched risk for tornadoes today, indication a more significant tornado risk is present across these areas and a strong tornado or two is possible. The risk for both tornadoes as well as damaging winds and hail will gradually come to an end for SE TX from west to east around the 7-10PM time frame as this convection continues to shift eastward along and ahead of an eastward moving low pressure system. For our Louisiana parishes, the threat for severe weather will begin to increase from west to east around roughly 5-6PM for areas near the Sabine, expanding east towards Lake Charles/Alexandria around 7-10PM, and then spreading across the I-49 corridor and lower Acadiana from 10PM and beyond. There is good agreement among CAMs guidance that this convection will begin to weaken and decrease in coverage as it moves further east, which is reflected in the SPC outlook. Areas west of Lafayette Parish are outlined in a Slight Risk (level 2 of 5), while Lafayette eastward is included in a Marginal Risk (level 1 of 5). The risks for both tornadoes and damaging winds will however, persist throughout the overnight period while the risk for hail is expected to decrease as this convection spreads into central/south central LA. By Friday morning, the severe weather risk will come to an end as the shortwave ejects to the NE. A second shortwave will then slide across the Ark-La-Tex tomorrow behind the departing shortwave however, this one looks to be much less robust as well as on a slightly more northward track. Therefore, tomorrow will bring a relative lull in convection before rain chances increase again at the start of the weekend. We may still see some isolated shower activity tomorrow, and a warm and muggy day is likely, but severe weather and heavy rain is not expected. Finally, Saturday brings our last round of convection and potential severe weather as the third and last in a line of mid level shortwaves ejects across the Ark-La-Tex. At the same time, another surface low takes shape across north TX with a trailing cold front that will move through the CWA Sat night. At this time, severe potential for Sat looks best to our NE however, the local area along and north of I-10 has been outlined in a Slight Risk, while our coastal counties/parishes are in the Marginal Risk. Still a bit early to nail down the details of this next event, but for now looks like rainfall/severe potential will increase by the afternoon and taper off overnight with the passing of the cold front. 17 && .LONG TERM... (Sunday through next Wednesday) Issued at 300 PM CST Thu Dec 26 2024 After several wet days, a dry pattern will commence on Sunday and continue through the end of the long term. High pressure briefly settles overhead on Sunday behind a departing cold front, bringing a short period of offshore flow and drier dewpoints for the second half of the weekend. Although highs will still warm into the lower 70s Sun afternoon, it will feel fairly pleasant as dewpoints drop into the upper 40s/lower 50s through the afternoon. High pressure departs Sun night with winds turning back to the south overnight. Moisture returns quickly through Monday with highs warming into the mid to upper 70s amid increasing dewpoints. New Years Eve brings a bit of a transitionary period away from warm and humid conditions back to a more seasonal pattern as we enter the New Year. A weak cold front will sweep through early Tues bringing an initial shot of shallow cooler/drier air. Highs warm into the mid 60s to low 70s Tues afternoon, while dewpoints slowly fall through the day. Early Wed, a secondary cold front swings through the area, followed by an upper level trough digging south across the lower MS Valley. This will bring a more significant shot of cooler and drier air throughout the column as we beginning 2025. Highs top out in the upper 50s to mid 60s on New Years Day, and in the mid to upper 60s on Thurs, while overnight lows fall into the 30s to low 40s both nights. At this time, neither of these front are expected to be accompanied by much, if any, convection. 17 && .AVIATION... (00Z TAFS) Issued at 550 PM CST Thu Dec 26 2024 Main issue this forecast period continues to be the likelihood of strong convection traversing ewd across the forecast area through tonight...with very low ceilings likely to develop with/behind the main line. Elevated srly winds will shift more wrly with the passage of the line, while also relaxing somewhat. VFR conditions are expected after daybreak for the wrn terminals, although MVFR ceilings are likely to linger for the Acadiana airports. 25 && .MARINE... Issued at 300 PM CST Thu Dec 26 2024 Showers and thunderstorms will spread west to east across the coastal waters from this evening through tomorrow morning as a trof axis shifts east across the Mississippi Valley. Some of these storms will be capable of producing torrential rainfall, frequent lightning, gusty winds. and rough seas. Behind the convection, areas of fog will likely redevelop along the coastal marine zones, and winds will shift more W/SW and relax. Tomorrow into Saturday active weather continues, with several more rounds of rain and a few thunderstorms likely. Dry weather finally returns by Sunday into much of next week. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... AEX 56 73 55 73 / 100 0 30 60 LCH 60 74 61 74 / 90 10 30 60 LFT 64 76 63 76 / 70 40 30 60 BPT 58 74 61 78 / 90 0 30 50 && .LCH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... LA...None. TX...None. GM...None. && SHORT TERM...17 LONG TERM....17 AVIATION...25
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
548 PM CST Thu Dec 26 2024
TXZ201-261-270015-
Hardin TX-Southern Jasper TX-
548 PM CST Thu Dec 26 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EASTERN HARDIN AND SOUTHEASTERN
JASPER COUNTIES THROUGH 615 PM CST...
At 547 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Kountze, moving northeast at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Lumberton, Buna, Evadale, Kountze, and Silsbee.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 700 PM CST for southeastern
Texas.
&&
LAT...LON 3053 9411 3052 9399 3036 9389 3033 9390
3019 9433 3035 9442
TIME...MOT...LOC 2347Z 243DEG 29KT 3031 9430
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
jbPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
554 PM CST Thu Dec 26 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0553 PM Flash Flood 9 NNE Sour Lake 30.25N 94.36W
12/26/2024 Hardin TX Mesonet
Stream gage reports water is out of its
banks on Black Creek.
&&Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
623 PM CST Thu Dec 26 2024
LAZ030-TXZ260-262-270100-
Beauregard LA-Southern Newton TX-Northern Newton TX-
623 PM CST Thu Dec 26 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN BEAUREGARD PARISH
IN SOUTHWESTERN LOUISIANA AND CENTRAL NEWTON COUNTIES THROUGH 700 PM
CST...
At 622 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Trout Creek, or 8 miles east of Call, moving northeast at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Bancroft, Old Salem, Bon Weir, Merryville, Bivens, and Trout Creek.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 200 AM CST for southwestern
Louisiana...and southeastern Texas.
&&
LAT...LON 3049 9374 3057 9388 3069 9370 3090 9366
3077 9344
TIME...MOT...LOC 0022Z 228DEG 32KT 3062 9374
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
KowalskiSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
657 PM CST Thu Dec 26 2024
TXZ261-515-516-615-616-270130-
Northern Orange TX-Lower Jefferson TX-Southern Orange TX-
Southern Jasper TX-Upper Jefferson TX-
657 PM CST Thu Dec 26 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHERN JEFFERSON AND WESTERN
ORANGE COUNTIES THROUGH 730 PM CST...
At 656 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Fannett, or 7 miles southwest of Beaumont, moving northeast at 35
mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to vegetation and outdoor
objects is possible.
Locations impacted include...
Fannett, Beaumont, China, Vidor, Rose City, Pine Forest, Orangefield,
Central Gardens, Bridge City, Nederland, Port Neches, and Orange.
This includes Interstate 10 in Texas between mile markers 870 and
838.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 700 PM CST for southeastern
Texas. A Tornado Watch also remains in effect until 200 AM CST for
southeastern Texas.
&&
LAT...LON 3017 9414 3016 9411 3019 9411 3028 9395
3003 9381 2989 9426 3005 9435
TIME...MOT...LOC 0056Z 243DEG 29KT 3001 9424
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
JBPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
724 PM CST Thu Dec 26 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0723 PM Flash Flood 4 WSW Beaumont 30.07N 94.20W
12/26/2024 Jefferson TX Mesonet
stream gage shows water is over Landis
Drive.
&&Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA
733 PM CST Thu Dec 26 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0732 PM Flash Flood 2 SSE Beaumont 30.06N 94.12W
12/26/2024 Jefferson TX Mesonet
Local stream gage indicates water is
starting to go over the banks.
&&The Ft Polk radar (KPOE), 48 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 01:54 UTC.
12 tornado, 11 thunderstorm wind, 2 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
A tree was blown down onto a home causing significant damage.
Several pine trees were uprooted across Lookout Road during the beginning of the Brushy Creek Tornado. A radar tornado debris signature was associated with this damage. The tornado crossed Highway 463 producing pine tree damage at EF-0 strength and dissipated after passing the roadway. The path was not fully surveyed between Lookout road and Highway 463 due to ammunitions zone within Fort Johnson. Maximum estimated winds were 90 mph.
Tree and power line damage occurred as the tornado moved across Highway 465. The small tornado damaged several trees and a frame home. One outbuilding was destroyed. Tornado strengthened in this area of Ian Johnson Road. The tornado crossed Cutts Road damaging numerous trees and then dissipated. Maximum estimated winds were 100 mph.
The Wilda Tornado began off of Saint Clair Road and Kevin Lane where several trees were snapped and a small shed had its metal roof torn off. A tornado debris signature was associated with this damage. The tornado then continued north-northeast along Saint Clair Road, intermittently touching down. Damage is weak and narrow along this part of the path and is confined to minor tree damage. From there the tornado crossed Saint Clair Rd and continued northeast, eventually crossing Browns Creek Rd. At this location a metal outbuilding was completely destroyed and thrown roughly 100 yards downstream with the tornado. A table was thrown roughly 300 yards west northwest of where it was placed. Minor damage to a frame home also occurred at the end point of the Wilda Tornado.
Multiple reports were received of minor street flooding in Pineville and Alexandria.
The tornado started just south of Old Seale Road to the west of HWY 27. The tornado moved northeast crossing HWY 27. Then across George Kendall Road just east of Billy White Road. The only notable damage was snapped trees. Maximum estimated winds were 90 mph.
The tornado began off of Cooper Church Road near the community of Savage Fork where several trees were damaged near Bayou Castor. The tornado then moved east-northeast where it crossed Fletcher Road. The damage path in this area is intermittent in nature, but is associated with a tornado debris signature. The tornado then made a more east-southeast turn and crossed Hazel Jeans Road where weak tree damage was found. This damage is also associated with a tornado debris signature. The tornado then continued southeast, crossing Hwy 171, and continuing onward where it crossed a dirt road and damaged more trees. Beyond the dirt road, the tornado continued off into a thick brush/forested area where it eventually lifted. Maximum estimated winds were 90 mph.
The tornado began just east of Highway 171 where it pulled a roof and metal panels off of an outbuilding/shed type structure. Nearby, just to the southeast, the tornado caused minor roof damage to two homes, pulling several shingles off. The tornado then continued southeast, crossing Eissman Road and snapping several pine trees. From there, it continued southeast and moved into Fort Johnson, causing minor softwood tree damage before dissipating. Maximum estimated winds were 80 mph.
KPOE recorded a wind gust of 70 knots/81 mph.
The tornado began around 1/2 mile north of Fullerton Lake, in a heavily wooded, inaccessible area. The tornado then continued southeast, cross Fullerton Lake Road where it snapped around 40 to 50 trees near the entrance to the Fullerton Lake Rec Complex. From there, the tornado continued southeast into to more heavily wooded areas, eventually lifting before it crossed any other roads. Maximum estimated winds were 100 mph.
A long lived tornado moved across Jefferson County and Sabine Lake into Cameron Parish. Satellite imagery and radar indicated TDSs showed the tornado moved into marsh near Willow Bayou and dissipated in the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge near Five Lakes.
KAEX recorded a wind gust of 55 knots.
A tornado briefly touched down and crossed Jeff McDonald Road in far eastern Vernon Parish. Several trees were found to have been snapped and/or uprooted in a convergence pattern along this point in the road. The tornado was likely very brief, as no other damage was found on surrounding roads.
Numerous public reports of trees were blown down around the town of Deville.
Multiple trees downed around Turkey Creek.
Tornado started in the St. Landry community where it damaged and snapped some hardwood trees. It moved across Interstate 49 and into Saint Landry Parish. The maximum wind speed was estimated at 95 mph.
A few trees downed in the Echo and Poland communities.
The tornado developed Evangeline Parish and moved into Saint Landry Parish. It continued southeast across farm road and Highway 29. Power lines were damaged near St. Louis. Trees were damaged along a line extending southeast to Highway 71. Maximum winds were estimate near 95 mph.
Multiple reports of trees downed in the Ruby and Kolin communities.
Power lines and a fence downed in the Whiteville area.
Satellite and radar analyses indicate a tornado touched down south west of Sweet Lake. The tornado moved northeast towards Sweet Lake where a very marked and narrow corridor of damage to vegetation could be seen. This portion of the damage path coincides with maximum intensity of a radar observed tornado debris signature. Damage to vegetation continued east of Sweet Lake as the tornado crossed the Intracoastal Waterway. Damage becomes sparse between the waterway and HWY 27 where the tornado dissipated.
Pictures were received of street flooding in Leesville.
Reports of powerlines down along Providence and White Oak Highways in Branch.
Power lines down along Highway 367.
A carwash sustained damage closing the business for 7 days.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Louisiana in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Louisiana, 2024Warnings in Louisiana, December 2024
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: 1226857, 1226836, 1226837, 1226838, 1226834, 1226839, 1226844, 1226847, 1226855, 1226851, 1226833, 1226856, 1226852, 1226858, 1226859, 1226853, 1226860, 1226866, 1226861, 1226862, 1226854, 1226835, 1226863, 1226864, 1226865.