Lightning in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana

Lightning March 9, 2026 · Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana

$276K

Damage as recorded

Where the report was made, with tornadoes recorded within 15 miles over the years.

What the National Weather Service wrote

Lightning struck Twin Steeples Creative Arts Center, a historic art gallery in Ponchatoula. A fire started as a result of this strike.

The wider storm

A weak mid-level impulse moved through the Lower Mississippi Valley on March 9th. As the system approached the local area, mid-level temperatures cooled, increasing atmospheric instability. These cooler temperatures aloft, combined with near-record surface temperatures in the mid 80s, supported robust thunderstorm development during the afternoon hours. One thunderstorm became severe and produced large hail across portions of East Feliciana Parish.

Began near Ponchatoula (30.4381, -90.4389).

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event 1323900. Narratives are written by the National Weather Service forecast office that issued the report.

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