Erin Strengthens to a Hurricane; Heavy Rainfall Possible in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, the Upper Midwest, South Texas

Hurricane Erin may bring isolated flash and urban flooding, landslides or mudslides, and possible tropical storm conditions to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands this weekend. Scattered thunderstorms and heavy rainfall may bring areas of flooding this weekend over the Upper Midwest. A tropical disturbance will bring locally heavy rain and mainly urban flash flooding to far southern Texas. Read More >

Lacombe, LA Tornado - March 22, 2022

Rating:	EF-1
Estimated Maximum Wind:	90 mph
Injuries/Fatalities:	None
Damage Path Length:	12.2 miles
Maximum Path Width:	100 yards
Approximate Start Point/Time:	3.8 miles W of Lacombe, LA at 725 PM CDT
Approximate End Point/Time:	11.85 miles NNE of Lacombe, LA at 743 PM CDT

A National Weather Service Damage Assessment Team has surveyed the storm damage near Lacombe, LA. It has been determined the damage was the result of a tornado. The tornado has been rated an EF-1 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. Damage estimates were consistent with winds of 90 mph.

The tornado touched down near Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge on US Highway 190. Damage was observed at homes just north of US Highway 190. Homes experienced minor roof damage in the form of missing shingles. A shed was also destroyed, and dozens of softwood trees were snapped. The tornado continued moving to the northeast with continued minor roof damage and snapped trees observed along Azalea Street and Cane Bayou Lane. A tree was completely uprooted on the corner of Lound Drive and Blackwell Drive. The tornado continued moving northeast and crossed Interstate 12 near mile marker 71 where snapped softwood pine trees were observed on both sides of the interstate. The tornado then continued to move northeast through a densely wooded area until it intersected Louisiana Highway 1088 just south of Louisiana Highway 36. Dozens of softwood pine trees were observed snapped along the highway. Based on a radar tornadic debris signature (TDS), the tornado continued another 3 miles north of Highway 36 in a densely wooded area with no road access.

Surveyed damage track stretching from near Lacombe into Central St. Tammany Parish