Tropical Moisture Brings Slight Risk of Excessive Rainfall to the Southwest; Strong to Locally Severe Storms on the Plains

Heavy rain and flash flooding are possible across portions of the Southwest through Friday, where Flood Watches are in effect. Strong to locally severe thunderstorms are possible today across portions of the Plains. A tropical wave is causing heavy rainfall in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, which may cause urban and small stream flooding and landslides today. Read More >

Overview

A total of five tornadoes touched down on April 6, 2003, in Northeast and East Texas and North Central Louisiana. The tornado outbreak began at 12:30pm CDT near Ponta, TX, in eastern Cherokee County, and ended at 4:25pm CDT at Clay, LA, in Jackson Parish.

TOTAL TORNADO COUNT = 5

F0 = 2

F2 = 2

F3 = 1

Tornado Table

Graphics

TOR. #	START POINT	END POINT	RATING	PEAK WIND	LENGTH/ WIDTH	FATALITIES/ INJURIES	REMARKS
#1	E of Ponta, Cherokee County, TX	7 miles NE of Henderson, Rusk County, TX	F3	158 to 206 mph	38 miles/ 1/4 mile	None	This tornado began just east of Ponta, TX. It moved northeast crossing the Rusk County line near New Salem. The tornado continued through wooded rural areas and crossed U.S. Hwy 259 approximately 5 miles S of Henderson. The track turned back towards the northwest near the community of Liberty before ending about 7 miles NE of Henderson. Numerous wood frame homes and mobile homes were damaged, with a few being destroyed. A power substation was also damaged. Numerous trees were twisted, broken, or uprooted.
#2	W of Tatum, Rusk County, TX	NW of Tatum, Rusk County, TX	F2	113 to 157 mph	5 miles/ 220 yards	6 injuries	This tornado began west of Tatum. It caused 6 injuries, but no fatalities. About 20 wood frame and mobile homes were damaged, and about 6 were destroyed. Numerous trees were twisted, broken, or uprooted.
#3	SW of Pollok, Angelina County, TX	5 miles SE of Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches County, TX	F2	113 to 157 mph	28 miles/ 1/4 mile	None	This tornado began SW of Pollok in Angelina County. Most of the damage with this tornado consisted of damage to homes and outbuildings. Numerous trees were toppled and snapped.
#4	Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches County, TX	Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches County, TX	F0	40 to 72 mph	1/8 mile/ 25 yards	None	This tornado struck part of southwest Nacogdoches while Tornado #3 was also occurring. Minor damage occurred to several buildings.
#5	W of Clay, Jackson Parish, LA	4 miles E of Clay, Jackson Parish, LA	F0	40 t0 72 mph	5.5 miles/ 50 yards	None	Damage from this tornado consisted mainly of trees down. Some farm and ranch outbuildings were damaged east of Clay.

Map of tornado paths in Cherokee and Rusk Counties on April 6, 2003.

Map of tornado paths in Angelina and Nacogdoches Counties on April 6, 2003.

Tornado path map in Jackson Parish on April 6, 2003

Map of the tornado path in Jackson Parish on April 6, 2003.

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Tropical Moisture Brings Slight Risk of Excessive Rainfall to the Southwest; Strong to Locally Severe Storms on the Plains

April 6, 2003: Tornadoes in East Texas and North Louisiana