Significant Weather Events

April 2 Tornadoes and Flooding

Three supercell thunderstorms produced a total of six tornadoes across the Lake Charles county warning area during the morning and afternoon of April 2, 2017.

Lafayette Tornado

Event Summary:

An auto body shop's security camera captured footage a touchdown brief tornado which picked up the back end of a car. The tornado also produced minor roof damage and was rated an EF-0 with estimated maximum winds of 60 MPH. The tornado had a path length of approximately 0.10 miles and a path width of approximately 10 yards.

Breaux Bridge Tornado

Event Summary:

A tornado touched down in a field off of Zin Zin Road, and caused a single wide mobile home to roll over. The walls and roof separated from the frame. A 38 year old woman and a 3 year old girl died in the mobile home.

Glenmora - Forest Hill Tornado

Event Summary:

A few pine trees were snapped between Glenmora and Forest Hill. Most of the damage was medium to small branches. The storm began near McNary Cutoff and LA 113 and dissipated near LA 112 and US 165.

Woodworth Tornado

Event Summary:

The tornado began near Bayou Clear and moved north across Bayou Clear Road where 4 homes were damaged by falling trees. The tornado continued north across Castor Plunge Road where it reached its maximum width of around half a mile. Many pine trees were snapped or uprooted. The tornado dissipated near Bayou Boeuf. Most of the path was in the Kisatchie National Forest. This tornado was seen and filmed by many people in the area.

Alexandria Tornado

Event Summary:

The tornado touched down near US 165 and Bowie Drive, blowing down several trees, damaging a gas station awning, and blowing the doors in and the side of a large storage building. It crossed to the west side of US 165 where it hit residential areas including Cherokee Village and Plantation Acres where many trees were downed, some landing on homes, garages, and vehicles. Some buildings had minor roof damage such as shingles or soffit pulled off. The tornado continued into a business district along Jackson Street west of US 165 where it lifted parts of flat roofs off of businesses. Some of the flying debris broke windows of vehicles and businesses in the area, as well as large billboard and other signage. The tornado continued north, crossing the intersection of LA 28 and US Hwy 165, and dissipated before it reached I-49. This tornado was seen and filmed by many people in the area.

Lena Tornado

Event Summary:

Storm chasers filmed a weak tornado crossing I-49 near Lena. One of the storm chase vehicles drove through the tornado. No significant damage was found in the region. Video of this was seen on social media.