EF1 tornado in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana

A combination of high resolution satellite imagery, ground survey, and radar imagery has aided in the confirmation of an EF-1 tornado that tracked across Interstate 55 near LA Hwy 16 and into Amite City, LA. This more focused area of tree and minor structural damage was associated with a tornado that is estimated to have begun near Highway 1045 and tracked generally east. Tree damage was noted on high resolution satellite imagery off of Puleston Rd with additional tree damage observed along the entrance/exit ramp region of I-55 onto LA Hwy 16. The damage path weakened and damage became more sparse as the circulation moved into Amite City, LA with only tree damage noted along Chestnut St. While the tornado debris signature on KHDC radar imagery did appear to continue east toward the Tangipahoa River, no further damage was observed to the east so the estimated conclusion of the tornado track is near South Duncan Avenue. Peak wind speed estimated to be 95 mph.

The start of what would eventually be a very potent Mesoscale Convective System (MCS) began around midnight on June 4th in central Oklahoma. A cluster of thunderstorms became outflow dominant with the convection chasing the outflow boundary southeastward. The MCS had weakened quite a bit as it moved into northwest Louisiana. However, strong daytime heating and pooling moisture ahead of this was waiting for it in southeast Louisiana. Those warm temps and high dewpoints increased surface and mid level instability that would support very strong updrafts. Although shear was relatively low, it was sufficient to support severe weather. About the time the MCS reached the Mississippi River, it began to rapidly intensify into a well organized system. As it moved through the area, it produced wide spread wind damage and four tornadoes. No injuries or fatalities reported with these tornadoes.