EF2 tornado in Panola County, Texas

The National Weather Service conducted a storm survey in Panola County Texas, and determined that a tornado first touched down in eastern Panola County near FM 3359 and then moved northeast into Desoto Parish, Louisiana. Several trees were uprooted and/or snapped just before crossing into Desoto Parish. Winds were estimated at 110 - 115 mph.

A very volatile atmosphere developed during the late afternoon...evening and overnight hours of April 26th across the Four State Region. An area of low pressure moved from the Texas Hill Country into Northeast Texas during the afternoon. Meanwhile, a warm front had moved northward from central Louisiana and was oriented west to east near the Arkansas/Louisiana state line. A dry line had moved just east of the I-35 corridor of North Central Texas and a strong cold front trailed the dry line. Very strong speed and directional shear was noted in the low and mid levels of the atmosphere such that supercells developed. Many of these produced tornadoes across the region. Other storms produced strong straight line wind gusts with bowing segments and large hail.