NWS New Orleans/Baton Rouge Gonzales Tornado -- December 10, 2012

Gonzales, LA Tornado - December 10, 2012

Rating:	EF-1
Estimated Maximum Wind:	90 mph
Injuries/Fatalities:	None
Damage Path Length:	1.4 miles
Maximum Path Width:	30 yards
Approximate Start Point/Time:	3.8 miles N of Gonzles, LA at 850 AM
Approximate End Point/Time:	3.9 miles N of Gonzales, LA at 854 AM

A National Weather Service Damage Assessment Team has surveyed the storm damage in Ascension Parish near the city of Gonzales, 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.

From the Local Storm Report:

TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF AIRLINE HIGHWAY AND BLACK BAYOU ROAD. IT RIPPED A METAL ROOF OFF OF A BOAT DEALERSHIP AND SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD OF 10 CARS AT A CAR DEALERSHIP. AN EYEWITNESS ALSO SAW SMALL PICKUP TRUCK LIFTED INTO THE AIR ABOUT 20 FT AND CAME BACK DOWN ON ITS WHEELS. THE TORNADO TRACKED TO THE EAST ALONG BLACK BAYOU ROAD CAUSING SPORADIC TREE DAMAGE AND MINOR ROOF DAMAGE TO A FEW RESIDENCE. BEFORE THE TORNADO CROSSED OVER HIGHWAY 44 IT IMPACTED A FIRE STATION BLOWING IN 2 LARGE OVERHEAD DOORS AND BLOWING OUT 3 LARGE OVERHEAD DOORS ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE BUILDING. A NEARBY METAL FRAME BUILDING WAS HEAVILY DAMAGED. THE TORNADO CONTINUED TO THE EAST AND LIFTED BEFORE REACHING OTT RD.

Track of Baker Tornado
Gonzales Tornado Track on 12/10/2012

KLIX Reflectivity for Baker Tornado
KLIX Reflectivity for Gonzales, LA Tornado at 848 AM CST 12/10/2012

KLIX Storm Relative Velocity for Baker Tornado
KLIX Storm Relative Velocity at maximum intensity at 848 AM CST 12/10/2012

Damage to 7th District Fire Station

Damage to 7th District Fire Station in Gonzales, LA.