Severe thunderstorm expected
A severe thunderstorm will roll through Southwest Louisiana later today that could give rise to damaging winds, large hail and isolated tornadoes, said Andy Patrick with the National Weather Service.
“Right now, we’re expecting the line of thunderstorms to develop across east Texas this afternoon and to likely stay rather strong right on through Southeast Texas into Southwest Louisiana through the late evening hours, potentially lingering until after midnight,” Patrick said.
The storm falls a week after another springtime thunderstorm brought heavy rains to the area, along with several tornadoes that caused roof and tree damage in the Vinton, Moss Bluff and Gillis areas.
Patrick said tonight’s storm — expected to bring no more than an inch of rain in most places, possibly over two in the worst areas — shouldn’t cause widespread flooding.
The real threat, he said, will be the wind, calling tornadoes a “big concern heading in.”
“It’s really hard to predict when and where along the line of storm this may occur, but we need to at least mention the possibility,” he said.
Patrick said the storm is brought about by cooler, dryer air from the north colliding with the warm, moist climate in Southwest Louisiana.
He called it a “typical” springtime severe weather pattern for this time of year in the southern U.S.
He advised residents to remain sheltered and tune into their news and social media outlets for regular updates.