Thunderstorm Wind — St. Mary, Louisiana

1998-08-02 · near Charenton, St. Mary, Louisiana

Wider weather episode

Severe thunderstorms moving southwest across Louisiana blew down several trees and power lines around Charenton. A large blimp used in detecting drug smugglers was destroyed. The value of the blimp was $6 million. Some eyewitnesses saw lightning near the blimp, but local officials believed it was the high winds that tore the blimp apart. Unofficial wind equipment at the radar site recorded 75 knot winds.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (29.8800, -91.5200)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5663745. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.