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.
Orlando, Fla. – Severe storms swept through Central Florida on Monday morning, bringing heavy rain, strong winds, and multiple tornado warnings across the Orlando area.
A radar-confirmed tornado touched down along Interstate 4 in Lake Mary at approximately 9:30 a.m., causing structural damage, downed trees, and power outages. Officials report that around 3,500 residents are without power as a result of the storm.
West of Lake Mary, storm-related damage was reported at the Sweetwater Clubhouse tennis courts north of Wekiva Springs Road, where trees were downed.
Further damage assessments are underway in surrounding areas.
Seminole County Fire Rescue confirmed that emergency crews were assisting with storm damage along the 2100 block of Blue Iris Place.
According to meteorologist Noah Bergren, preliminary assessments suggest that the tornado was likely an EF0 or possibly a brief EF1, with estimated touchdown near Lake Mary Boulevard on the city’s west side.
Seminole County Emergency Management spokesperson Alan Harris reported multiple instances of structural damage, including a collapsed home and overturned vehicles.
Additionally, downed trees and power lines have made several roadways impassable.
As of Monday morning, no injuries had been reported. However, authorities continue to urge caution as cleanup efforts begin.
“Do not go outside right now,” Harris advised in a public statement. “Stay in your home or business until conditions improve.”
The tornado formed as a result of an intense storm system moving across Central Florida, which brought heavy downpours, gusty winds, and the potential for additional tornado activity.
Meteorologists anticipate that the storms will move quickly through the region, with rainfall expected to taper off by early to mid-afternoon.
A Tornado Watch means that conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms.
It does not guarantee that a tornado will occur but serves as an alert for residents to remain vigilant.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), a severe thunderstorm is classified as one that produces winds of 58 mph or higher and/or hail measuring one inch in diameter or larger.
Officials continue to monitor weather conditions and encourage residents to stay informed through local news outlets and emergency alerts.