Louisiana, 2026

Flash Flooding and Damaging Winds in Louisiana, May 23, 2026

May 23, 2026 · NWS JAN · 9 events in 4 counties and zones

A cluster of strong to severe storms became organized as it progressed mostly across the I-20 corridor and surrounding areas in Louisiana. This thunderstorm activity produced numerous reports of wind damage as it was aided in its progression and intensity by an ongoing Mesoscale Convective Vortex (MCV).

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
9

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 JAN wrote it up.

A cluster of strong to severe storms became organized as it progressed mostly across the I-20 corridor and surrounding areas in Louisiana. This thunderstorm activity produced numerous reports of wind damage as it was aided in its progression and intensity by an ongoing Mesoscale Convective Vortex (MCV).

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 Jackson, MS wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 23, 1:13 AM CST, 2 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • The potential for heavy rainfall and flooding will continue through the weekend, peaking Sunday into Monday.
  • We will be monitoring the potential for additional heavy rainfall and flash flooding next week.
Area forecast discussion, May 23, 1:13 AM CST, 2 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED
National Weather Service Jackson MS
213 AM CDT Sat May 23 2026

...New AVIATION...

.KEY MESSAGES...

- The potential for heavy rainfall and flooding will continue
  through the weekend, peaking Sunday into Monday.

- We will be monitoring the potential for additional heavy
  rainfall and flash flooding next week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 415 PM CDT Fri May 22 2026

In the near term, the morning MCV responsible for a weak brief
tornado in Hinds County and areas of heavy rainfall has moved off
to the east, but a lingering moist convergence axis, located
roughly along the I-59 and Hwy 45 corridors, has been the focus
for renewed convective development during peak heating. Additional
intense rainfall rates and strong updrafts are resulting in a
renewed low-end severe/flash flood threats for the next few hours
in those areas. Later tonight, we could see the nocturnal
enhancement of ~ H850 winds and moisture transport support
additional flash flood concerns. Following days of heavy rainfall,
many locations are becoming more flood prone and sensitive to
additional heavy rainfall, and so have continued the limited flash
flood threat messaging in our HWO graphics through tonight.

Looking ahead, heavy rainfall threats will continue through the
weekend and into next week as a persistent trough to ridge
longwave pattern remains anchored over central and eastern CONUS.
This will continue to bring our region a steady stream of
subtropical moisture with seasonably high moisture content, and
multiple upper level perturbations that will provide lift to help
initiate additional rounds of convective rainfall. Once we get to
about Sunday, a greater threat for flash flooding should evolve
as a more favorable set-up and coupled upper level jet
interaction team up with the very moist air to bring a more
widespread heavy rainfall threat. As of now this appears it will
be over mainly western/southern portions of the area and have
maintained an "elevated" flood threat in this area.

Otherwise, it appears the thermodynamic/shear profiles will not
be particularly favorable for severe weather concerns given the
deep moisture and influence from the southeast CONUS ridge, but as
is the case in the near term, we'll need to monitor for marginal
tornado risks given the potential for enhanced low level shear in
the very moist air. As previously mentioned, it's difficult to
find an end to this wet pattern in the guidance through most of
the remainder of the month. /EC/

&&

.AVIATION...
(06Z TAFS)
Issued at 209 AM CDT Sat May 23 2026

SHRA and TSRA impacting parts of the forecast area to begin the
TAF period, and additional storms expected to impact portions of
the area between roughly 20Z Saturday and onward, but confidence
in impacts to any TAF site were too low to mention at this time.
Moisture in the are contributing to chances for low stratus and BR
to lower conditions to MVFR or IFR through 15Z today. /NF/

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Jackson       69  81  69  80 /  70  90  80  90
Meridian      68  83  68  81 /  40  80  80  90
Vicksburg     69  80  68  81 /  80  90  80  90
Hattiesburg   70  82  70  81 /  40  90  70  90
Natchez       69  80  69  81 /  50 100  80  90
Greenville    68  81  68  80 /  60  80  80  90
Greenwood     68  83  68  81 /  60  90  80  90

&&

.JAN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MS...None.
LA...None.
AR...None.
&&

EC/NF

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 22, 8:23 PM CST, 4 hours 52 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jackson MS
923 PM CDT Fri May 22 2026

LAZ016-230330-
Madison LA-
923 PM CDT Fri May 22 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EAST CENTRAL MADISON PARISH
THROUGH 1030 PM CDT...

At 923 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Tallulah, moving east at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

This strong thunderstorm will be near...
  Tallulah around 930 PM CDT.
  Mound around 945 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this storm include Richmond.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

High winds can bring down trees and large limbs resulting in serious
injury or property damage. Exercise extreme caution when outdoors
during such strong winds...and be especially aware of older trees.

&&

LAT...LON 3246 9122 3246 9110 3245 9107 3243 9104
      3245 9099 3243 9096 3240 9099 3236 9100
      3235 9098 3226 9100 3237 9128
TIME...MOT...LOC 0223Z 278DEG 17KT 3241 9126

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

OAJ
Special weather statement, May 22, 8:37 PM CST, 4 hours 38 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jackson MS
937 PM CDT Fri May 22 2026

LAZ016-230315-
Madison LA-
937 PM CDT Fri May 22 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN MADISON PARISH
THROUGH 1015 PM CDT...

At 937 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Waverly, or near Delhi, moving southeast at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

This strong thunderstorm will be near...
  Waverly and Tendal around 940 PM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

High winds can bring down trees and large limbs resulting in serious
injury or property damage. Exercise extreme caution when outdoors
during such strong winds...and be especially aware of older trees.

&&

LAT...LON 3243 9147 3245 9148 3248 9146 3247 9122
      3227 9136 3235 9147 3236 9145 3238 9148
      3240 9149 3241 9148 3241 9149 3244 9149
TIME...MOT...LOC 0237Z 292DEG 17KT 3241 9143

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

OAJ
Local storm report, May 22, 9:06 PM CST, 4 hours 9 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Jackson MS
1006 PM CDT Fri May 22 2026

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

0556 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     2 W Mount Olive         31.76N 89.69W
05/22/2026                   Covington          MS   Law Enforcement

            Tree downed on Jaynesville Rd and Johnson
            Stewart Rd.

&&

DC
Local storm report, May 22, 9:08 PM CST, 4 hours 7 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Jackson MS
1008 PM CDT Fri May 22 2026

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

0556 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     1 WNW Mount Olive       31.77N 89.68W
05/22/2026                   Covington          MS   Law Enforcement

            Tree downed on Jaynesville Rd at Hwy 49.

&&

DC
Local storm report, May 22, 10:01 PM CST, 3 hours 14 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Jackson MS
1101 PM CDT Fri May 22 2026

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

1000 PM     Flash Flood      Delhi                   32.46N 91.49W
05/22/2026                   Richland           LA   Law Enforcement

            Report of street flooding in Delhi.

&&

DC
Special weather statement, May 22, 10:28 PM CST, 2 hours 47 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jackson MS
1128 PM CDT Fri May 22 2026

MSZ048-049-054-230500-
Copiah MS-Hinds MS-Rankin MS-
1128 PM CDT Fri May 22 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN RANKIN...
SOUTHEASTERN HINDS AND NORTH CENTRAL COPIAH COUNTIES THROUGH MIDNIGHT
CDT...

At 1127 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Terry, or 7 miles southwest of Byram, moving southeast at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

This strong thunderstorm will be near...
  Jackson, Byram, Crystal Springs, and Terry around 1135 PM CDT.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3206 9048 3222 9039 3219 9015 3205 9022
      3205 9023 3204 9023 3203 9025 3202 9024
      3202 9023 3191 9028
TIME...MOT...LOC 0427Z 293DEG 15KT 3211 9036

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

NF

The radar

The Shreveport radar (KSHV), 184 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 07:15 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

7 thunderstorm wind, 2 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Flash Flood, Morehouse

When
May 23, 1:15 AM CST
Where
Morehouse County, 1 mi SW of Bastrop to 1 mi E of Pt Pleasant
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
State Official
Coordinates
32.770, -91.910

A few roads in the Bastrop city limits were flooded.

Flash Flood, Morehouse

When
May 23, 2:45 AM CST
Where
Morehouse County, 1 mi NE of Mer Rouge to 1 mi NNW of Mer Rouge
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
State Official
Coordinates
32.780, -91.790

A few roads around Mer Rouge were flooded.

Thunderstorm Wind, Catahoula

When
May 23, 10:56 AM CST
Where
Catahoula County, 2 mi SSW of Wallace
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Utility Company
Coordinates
31.650, -91.860

A tree was blown down on Louisiana Highway 3101.

Thunderstorm Wind, Concordia

When
May 23, 10:58 AM CST
Where
Concordia County, 1 mi W of Monterey
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Utility Company
Coordinates
31.470, -91.730

A tree was blown down across Louisiana Highway 565.

Thunderstorm Wind, Catahoula

When
May 23, 10:58 AM CST
Where
Catahoula County, Trinity
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
AWSS
Coordinates
31.630, -91.820

A tree and utility pole were downed in Jonesville.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tensas

When
May 23, 11:35 AM CST
Where
Tensas County, 1 mi SW of Heageland
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
31.810, -91.380

Trees were blown down on Louisiana Highway 568 and on D Sreet in Waterproof.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tensas

When
May 23, 11:38 AM CST
Where
Tensas County, 1 mi NW of Helena
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
31.880, -91.410

Trees were blown down across Louisiana Highway 3009.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tensas

When
May 23, 11:57 AM CST
Where
Tensas County, 2 mi E of Lake Bruin Lake
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
32.000, -91.190

Trees were blown down on Louisiana Highway 604.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tensas

When
May 23, 12:00 PM CST
Where
Tensas County, 1 mi W of Newellton
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
32.070, -91.240

Trees and utility lines were blown down on Lombardo Street.

What these are

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.
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.

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

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Louisiana in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in Louisiana, May 2026

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: 1339211, 1339213, 1339217, 1339219, 1339220, 1339225, 1339222, 1339229, 1339226.