Weather
Tornado Watch Issued for Parts of Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi
The National Weather Service (NWS) Storm Prediction Center has issued a Tornado Watch for portions of southeastern Arkansas, eastern and northeastern Louisiana, and western and southwestern Mississippi.
The watch is in effect from 5:00 PM until 10:00 PM CDT as conditions are highly favorable for severe weather, including tornadoes, large hail, and damaging wind gusts.
Affected Areas
In central Louisiana, the following parishes are included in the watch:
- Rapides
- Grant
- Allen
- Evangeline
- St. Landry
- Avoyelles
- LaSalle
- Catahoula
- Winn
- Concordia
Primary Threats
- Several tornadoes are possible, including the potential for strong and intense (EF2+) tornadoes.
- Scattered damaging wind gusts of up to 70 mph are likely.
- Scattered large hail is expected, with isolated instances of very large hail up to 2 inches in diameter possible.
Thunderstorm development is anticipated this afternoon and evening within a highly unstable and strongly sheared atmospheric environment across the Lower Mississippi Valley.
Given these conditions, supercell thunderstorms capable of producing all severe weather hazards, including large hail and strong tornadoes, are expected to develop.
The Tornado Watch covers an area approximately 65 miles east and west of a line extending from 65 miles south-southeast of Alexandria, LA, to 25 miles northwest of Greenwood, MS.
Residents in the affected areas should closely monitor weather alerts and have a severe weather safety plan in place.
Stay informed through official weather sources, including the National Weather Service, local emergency management, and NOAA Weather Radio. Additional warnings may be issued as the situation develops.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Emergency responders are working multiple rescue calls after a confirmed tornado touched down west of Bloomington and moved directly toward the city, prompting urgent shelter warnings across the region.
The National Weather Service issued a Tornado Warning for Bloomington, Ellettsville, and Clear Creek until 7:30 p.m. EST, describing the situation as particularly dangerous.
The tornado was confirmed on the ground approximately eight miles west of Bloomington and moving east at an estimated 40 miles per hour.
Authorities report that multiple homes have sustained significant damage, with early indications that several individuals may be trapped inside residences impacted by the storm.
Emergency crews are actively conducting search and rescue operations in affected neighborhoods.
Communities directly in the projected path included Bloomington, Ellettsville, the campus of Indiana University Bloomington, Solsberry, and Whitehall.
Meteorologists warned that the storm was capable of producing destructive winds and hail up to the size of ping pong balls. Officials emphasized that the tornado posed a serious threat to life and property.
Residents in the warned area were urged to seek shelter immediately — preferably in a basement or on the lowest level of a sturdy structure, inside an interior room away from windows.
Authorities stressed not to delay action while waiting for visual confirmation of the tornado.
Emergency management officials continue to monitor the storm’s track and assess damage. Additional updates are expected as response efforts continue and more information becomes available.