A strong mesoscale convective system swept across the ArkLaTex during the evening and nighttime hours of April 24, 2015. Bow echoes developed which produced widespread straight-line wind damage across East Texas, Northwest and North Central Louisiana, and into Southern Arkansas. Embedded supercells also developed producing a few tornadoes. In particular, suspected tornado damage was reported southwest of Gilmer in Upshur County, northwest of Linden in Cass County, and southwest of Junction City in Claiborne Parish. Survey teams from the National Weather Service office in Shreveport, LA, deployed to investigate the damage. Three tornadoes were confirmed, one each in Upshur & Cass Counties and Claiborne Parish. These tornadoes were all rated EF1.
Details from the survey can be found below. The survey information should be considered preliminary and subject to change.
TOTAL TORNADO COUNT = 3
EF1 = 3
Tornado Table
Damage Map
TOR. #
START POINT
END
POINT
RATING
PEAK WIND
START TIME
END TIME
LENGTH/
WIDTH
FATALITIES/
INJURIES
REMARKS
#1
8.5 miles WSW of Gilmer, Upshur County, TX
6.5 miles WSW of Gilmer, Upshur County, TX
EF1
95-105
mph
8:43pm CDT
8:47pm CDT
2 miles/ 700 yards
None
Damaged consisted of numerous trees uprooted and snapped. One tree fell on a house causing minor to moderate damage. Damage in the Union Hill area was also surveyed but was determined to be associated with straight-line winds. Union Hill High School sustained roof damage and several homes had damage due to trees falling on them.
#2
8 miles NW of Linden, Cass County, TX
8.12 miles N of Linden, Cass County, TX
EF1
95-105 mph
9:16pm CDT
9:24pm CDT
6.35 miles/
275 yards
None
Damage consisted of numerous trees uprooted and snapped. Several trees took out power lines in the area.
#3
7 miles ESE of Haynesville, Claiborne Parish, LA
9 miles WSW of Junction City, Claiborne Parish, LA
EF1
95-105 mph
10:40pm CDT
10:53pm CDT
9.42 miles/
820 yards
None
Damage consisted of numerous trees uprooted and snapped. One house received major damage when a tree fell on it.