Significant Severe Weather and Heavy Rainfall Event in the Central U.S.; Critical Fire Weather in the Southwest

Significant severe weather and heavy rainfall is likely from the central and southern Plains into the the Ozarks today into tonight. Tornadoes, potentially strong to intense, large hail and damaging winds are possible. Critical fire weather including gusty winds and low humidity will continue today over parts of Arizona, New Mexico, west Texas, and the central valley of California. 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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Significant Severe Weather and Heavy Rainfall Event in the Central U.S.; Critical Fire Weather in the Southwest

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