EF2 Tornado — St. James, Louisiana

2016-02-23 · near Union, St. James, Louisiana

Event narrative

A strong tornado moved out of Assumption Parish into St James Parish causing significant damage to trees as it approached the Mississippi River. After crossing the river, the tornado moved through the Sugar Hill RV Park where numerous travel trailers were tossed and destroyed. Two fatalities and approximately 75 injuries occurred at the RV park. An EF scale rating of EF-2 was assigned to the damage at and in the vicinity of the RV park. The tornado weakened as it continued northeastward, snapping trees and causing minor property damage. It dissipated as it reached Airline Highway. St. James Parish Emergency Management reported 25 to 50 homes were total losses and a public housing complex had major damage. The tornado's peak intensity of EF-3 occurred in Assumption Parish.

Wider weather episode

A strong cold front moved through the lower Mississippi Valley. Ahead of the front, widespread severe weather moved through Southeast Louisiana and Southern Mississippi during the morning and afternoon hours of February 23rd. A total of 13 tornadoes occurred in Southeast Louisiana and Southern Mississippi, 3 of which were classified as strong.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (30.0408, -90.9632)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 613449. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.