EF1 tornado in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana

The beginning of what would eventually be a long-tracked and violent tornado touched down near the Tangipahoa River just north of LA 38. The beginning of this track was identified via high resolution satellite imagery in which numerous trees were damaged and uprooted along the river bank. The tornado maintained EF-1 strength as it moved northeast where more swaths of tree damage were found along River and Hayes roads. Numerous structures were also damaged along Hwy 1054 and Sanders Road as the tornado reached an initial peak in strength with max winds estimated to be near 110 mph based on the damage observed. The tornado damage path then weakened and narrowed as it approached J.W. Schilling Road. It then exited Tangipahoa Parish and entered Pike County near McNabb Creek Road.

A potent weather system impacted the local area, producing a rare EF-4 tornado. Only a few tornadoes that strong have developed in the local forecast area. That tornado started its path in northern Tangipahoa Parish and continued on its 60+ mile long path. The environment needed for violent and long lived tornadoes, were in place right as a cold front approached from the west.