Severe Thunderstorm Threat From the Central Plains to the Northeast; Extreme HeatRisk for the East Coast

Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible from the central Plains to the Northeast through this evening. Widespread damaging winds are the primary threat but hail and a tornado or two is also possible. Extremely dangerous heat continues across the Eastern U.S. Warm overnight low temperatures will provide little to no relief. Read More >

Napoleonville, LA Tornado and Straight Line Wind Event- April 27, 2015

Rating:	EF-0
Estimated Maximum Wind:	85 mph
Injuries/Fatalities:	None
Damage Path Length:	0.80 miles
Maximum Path Width:	75 yards
Approximate Start Point/Time:	2 miles NNW of Pierre Part, LA at 9:28 AM CDT
Approximate End Point/Time:	1.5 miles N of Napoleonville, LA at 9:30 AM CDT

A National Weather Service Damage Assessment Team has surveyed the storm damage in Napoleonville, LA. It has been determined the damage was the result of tornado and strong straight line winds that formed along the leading edge of a squall line. The tornado has been rated an EF-1 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. Damage estimates were consistent with winds between 80 and 85 mph in the tornado. A broad swath of straight line winds extending from Paincourtville to Napoleonville were also observed. Damage was consistent with winds of 80 to 85 mph.

Damage indicative of a tornado was first observed in an area of softwood pine trees west of Bayouside Street and this was placed as the starting point of the tornado. The tornado may have been on the ground before this point, but lack of access prohibited further exploration. Trees had large branches snapped and EF-0 damage was noted. The path width was only 25 yards at this point. The tornado then moved to the southeast and crossed Louisiana Highway 402 causing additional EF-0 damage. Several trees had large branches snapped off and a few trees were uprooted. Minor roof damage was noted on a few homes. The path width in this area was approximately 75 yards wide. The tornado crossed Louisiana Highway 1 and Bayou Lafourche just south of Hospital Road causing additional tree damage. The tornado then crossed Louisiana Highway 308 south of Dodge Road where additional tree damage in the form of large branches broken off hardwood trees was observed. All of this damage was rated EF-0 and the path width had narrowed to 25 yards. No additional tornadic signatures were noted beyond this point.

KLIX Base Velocity product for Napoleonville, LA tornado and straight line winds - 04/27/2015
KLIX WSR-88D Base Velocity at maximum intensity around 930 AM CDT 4/27/2015

Snapped Trees

Snapped and Uprooted trees

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Severe Thunderstorm Threat From the Central Plains to the Northeast; Extreme HeatRisk for the East Coast

NWS LIX - April 27th, 2015 Napoleonville, LA Tornado and Straight Line Wind Event