EF3 Tornado — Vernon, Louisiana

2019-12-16 · near Rosepine, Vernon, Louisiana

Event narrative

The tornado began in Beauregard Parish and moved into Vernon Parish near the intersection of John Brewer and Borel Roads as an EF3 with winds estimated at 152 MPH. A fatality occurred on Borel Road as the tornado passed around 11:18 am CST. Extensive damage occurred to well built homes as well as mobile homes. This developing long track tornado continued moving northeast crossing Churchman Road where it ripped large open areas off home roofs. Winds were estimated at 135 mph. The tornado moved across forest areas of the southeast part of the Fort Polk Army Base. The tornado crossed into the east central part of Vernon Parish where trees and several homes were damaged around the Sandhill and Coral Roads area with winds estimated at 74 to 107 mph. The tornado moved in Rapides Parish 1 mile south of Highway 121. Roughly 26 structures were damaged along the path.

Wider weather episode

A cold front pushed across Louisiana with showers and storms ahead of the boundary. A couple storms produce tornadoes with one being long tracked.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (30.8832, -93.2135)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 869482. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.