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Tornadoes in Louisiana

An EF3 tornado in eastern New Orleans on February 7, 2017

The U.S. state of Louisiana experiences several tornadoes per year. There have been at least 2,514 recorded tornadoes since 1950.[note 1] At least 267 people have been killed and 3,861 others have been injured by these tornadoes. Numerous other tornadoes occurred within the state prior to 1950, but only tornadoes that caused fatalities or were estimated to have been F2 or greater intensity on the Fujita scale were recorded.

The deadliest tornadoes to impact Louisiana mostly took place prior to 1950, before tornado warnings could be issued by forecasters. A total of 1,078 fatalities and 5,079 injuries were recorded during this time period, and all but one of the state's ten deadliest tornadoes had taken place. The three deadliest tornadoes took place in 1908, which impacted Concordia Parish, Amite, and Gilliam. The former two took place during the 1908 Dixie tornado outbreak, the first of which killed 39 people, and the second killed 47 people within the state. The lattermost tornado killed 49 people, making it Louisiana's deadliest tornado on record.

Starting in 1950, forecasters were allowed to issue their own tornado warnings, which led to the amount of tornado-related fatalities significantly decreasing over time. However, several deadly and destructive tornadoes still took place after 1950. In 1964, a deadly tornado produced by Hurricane Hilda killed 22 people and injured 165 others in Larose. The first and only tornado to cause F5-rated damage within the state of Louisiana took place in 1971, which destroyed multiple structures outside of Delhi and killed 11 people within the state. Louisiana's costliest tornadoes took place in 1978 and 2020, the former struck the Shreveport–Bossier City metropolitan area, causing $250 million (1978 USD) in damage and killing two people. The latter tornado struck Monroe and also caused $250 million (2020 USD) in damage.

Climatology

Further information: Dixie Alley
Map of Dixie Alley

Louisiana is located in Dixie Alley, which is an expanse of land stretching from eastern Texas to southwestern North Carolina.[2] Tornadoes occur most frequently during the afternoon and early evening hours in Louisiana, and most activity occurs during the spring months of March through May. However, in the southern part of the state, tornado activity is more likely to remain consistent throughout the year, while reaching a minimum during the summer months of July and August.[3] Due to Dixie Alley's close proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, tornadic storms in that region are often high-precipitation supercells which produce rain-wrapped tornadoes that are difficult to spot, resulting in a higher risk of fatalities.[4][5] Tornadoes in Dixie Alley are also more likely than those in other regions to occur at night and tend to travel faster, making them more likely to catch people unprepared.[6]

The number of tornadoes that have been recorded within Louisiana is the highest within the 21st century. This is partially due to the fact that overall tornado counts tend to show higher numbers in more recent years, mainly due to improved detection and reporting of weak tornadoes.[7]

Most active tornado years for Louisiana[8]
Year Max F/EF# Tornadoes Deaths
2024 EF3 108 2
2018 EF2 103 1
2017 EF3 97 3
2019 EF3 94 4
1992 F3 87 2
2009 EF2 82 0

Deadliest tornadoes

Ten deadliest Louisiana tornadoes[9]
Date F/EF# Deaths Injuries Hardest-hit community
May 13, 1908 F4 49 135 Gilliam
The deadliest tornado to impact Louisiana took place on May 13, 1908, in the community of Gilliam. This tornado touched down west of Oil City and moved directly through Gilliam, destroying many of its structures and killing 34 people. The tornado continued northeast and impacted the western side of Bolinger, where more homes sustained severe damage or destruction, and 9 people were killed. It then moved south of the Lela community before lifting just south of the Louisiana-Arkansas state border. This tornado traveled 24.5 miles (39.4 km) and had a peak width of 300 yards (270 m).[10]
April 24, 1908 F4 47 270 Amite, Pine
This destructive tornado was first seen in Weiss just before it killed two people in the Dennis Mills community. The tornado passed near Montpelier, killing two more people, before directly striking the city of Amite, where complete destruction occurred to numerous structures and 29 people were killed. The tornado also severely damaged or destroyed structures near Wilmer, where four people were killed, and within Pine, where nine more people were killed, before crossing into Marion County, Mississippi. In total, at least 143 people were killed and 770 more were injured along the tornado's track across Louisiana and Mississippi, making it the eighth-deadliest tornado in U.S. history.[11][12][13]
April 24, 1908 F4 39 150 Concordia Parish
At about 5:00 a.m. CST, this tornado touched down north of Lamourie, and instantly killed three people in Richland. As the tornado continued northeast, four more people were killed in the community of Ruby, and it injured 25 people as it moved between Effie and Center Point in Avoyelles Parish. As the tornado crossed into Concordia Parish, it widened to 700 yards (640 m) and leveled numerous plantations and tenant homes, causing at least 30 fatalities. After impacting Concordia Parish, the tornado crossed into Adams County, Mississippi just north of Natchez. Through the tornado's entire path across Louisiana and Mississippi, at least 91 people were killed and at least 400 people were injured.[14][12][13]
May 1, 1933 F4 28 400 Gillark, Minden
At about 4:00 p.m. CST, a violent, large tornado hit Minden, causing more damage than any other Louisiana tornado at that time. The 400-yard-wide (370 m) funnel first impacted Gillark, a community just outside Minden, killing 16 or more people. Homes there were lifted, "blown apart and scattered" aloft, according to tornado researcher Thomas P. Grazulis. In Minden the tornado destroyed or damaged 500 homes, with losses worth $1,250,000 (1933 USD). Dozens of houses were flattened, many of which were swept off their foundations.[15]
October 3, 1964 F4 22 165 Larose
The deadliest tropical cyclone-spawned tornado to impact the United States took place on October 3, 1964, in the city of Larose. This tornado was spawned by an embedded supercell within Hurricane Hilda, and it destroyed numerous homes and vehicles within the city. The tornado killed 22 people, injured 165 others, and caused $2.5 million (1964 USD) in damage. This was only one of two tornadoes that were spawned by a tropical cyclone to reach F4 strength and the deadliest tornado to be produced by such an event since 1900.[16][17][3]
February 17, 1938 F4 21 ≈40 Rodessa
Forming just outside town, this tornado mangled oil derricks before striking Rodessa, where many homes "vanished", most of which were small and frail, according to a report quoted by Grazulis. The 200-yard-wide (180 m) tornado tore into corrugated metal buildings, ripping them to shreds. It piled up or blew machinery, automobile parts, and shacks miles away. Building debris mutilated victims. Losses totaled $250,000 (1938 USD).[18]
December 31, 1947 F4 18 225 Cotton Valley
This tornado began south of Benton, and caused major damage in much of Cotton Valley, where 100 houses and several businesses were destroyed. An estimated 500 people became homeless following the tornado, and 14 people were killed within the town. Significant damage also took place within Dykesville and Haynesville in Louisiana before lifting north of Three Creeks, Arkansas, traveling a total path length of 59.7 miles (96.1 km) and peaking at a width of 600 yards (550 m).[9][19]
April 4, 1923 F4 15 150 Pineville
Numerous structures sustained damage from this tornado as it traveled 12.3 miles (19.8 km) across western Alexandria and Pineville, reaching a peak width of 200 yards (180 m). Fifty to sixty houses were damaged or destroyed, and several commercial buildings also sustained devastating damage. The lighting system was also knocked out in the city of Pineville, which made it diffcult to identify the extent of destruction and rescue victims in the tornado's path.[9][20]
February 17, 1927 F3 14 70 Pleasant Hill
This tornado touched down south of Converse, and it damaged or destroyed 50 homes as it moved south and east of Pleasant Hill. In the areas surrounding the town, 13 people were killed, including seven in one family. A child's body was carried for 1.5 miles (2.4 km) and a car was displaced by 0.5 miles (0.80 km). The tornado traveled a 26-mile (42 km) path and had a peak width of 200 yards (0.18 km) before lifting south of Hanna. Grazulis listed this tornado as a "probable F4."[9][21]
April 5, 1907 F3 13 100 Jackson
This tornado touched down west of Jackson, and severely damaged numerous tenant homes as it moved north of the town, killing nine people. After moving into East Feliciana Parish, the tornado impacted a lunatic asylum, killing four patients there. The tornado traveled 15.3 miles (24.6 km) in total and had a peak width of 400 yards (370 m) before it lifted north of Clinton.[9][22][23]

Costliest tornadoes

Ten costliest Louisiana tornadoes[24]
Date F/EF# Damages (in United States dollars) Hardest-hit community
December 3, 1978 F4 $250 million (1978 USD) Shreveport, Bossier City
April 12, 2020 EF3 $250 million (2020 USD) Monroe
December 14, 2022 EF2 $150 million (2022 USD) Gretna, Arabi
May 2, 1984 F3 $100 million (1984 USD) Ringgold
October 29, 1974 F3 $50 million (1974 USD) Estherwood, Crowley
November 15, 1987 F3 $50 million (1987 USD) Shreveport
April 8, 1993 F2 $50 million (1993 USD) Grand Isle
April 25, 2019 EF3 $50 million (2019 USD) Ruston
March 2, 2023 EF1 $50 million (2023 USD) Shreveport
April 24, 2010 EF4 $36 million (2010 USD) Tallulah

Intense tornadoes

Pre–1925

FU F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 Total
3 0 1 61 16 5 0 86
Deaths: 817 Injuries: 2,716

A total of 86 known significant[note 2] tornadoes impacted Louisiana before 1925, which killed 817 people and injured 2,716 others. During this time frame, 21 intense tornadoes impacted Louisiana. This was the state's deadliest time frame for tornadoes, with each tornado killing an average of 9.5 people. Five of the state's 10 deadliest tornadoes took place during this period, including its three deadliest tornadoes in Gilliam, Amite, and Concordia Parish, all three of which took place in 1908.[25][26]

† Deadliest in Louisiana history at time of event
‡ Tornado crossed state lines in or out of Louisiana
Intense (F3+) tornadoes in Louisiana, pre–1925[27]
F# Date Deaths Injuries Location Parish Path length Max width
F4 May 7, 1840 317[note 3] 109 Deer Park Concordia 32.9 mi (52.9 km)‡ 1000 yd (910 m)
F3 April 22, 1883 4† 30 Esperance Landing Concordia 79.4 mi (127.8 km)‡ 200 yd (180 m)
F3 October 22, 1884 2 10 Garyville St. Charles 7.8 mi (12.6 km) 200 yd (180 m)
F3 March 23, 1893 7† 30 N of Mangham Richland 14.7 mi (23.7 km) 800 yd (730 m)
F3 September 7, 1893 4 25 Lockport Lafourche 5.5 mi (8.9 km) 60 yd (55 m)
F3 February 17, 1894 2 5 S of Haynesville Claiborne 7.7 mi (12.4 km) 400 yd (370 m)
F3 January 2, 1897 5 21 Mooringsport Caddo 6 mi (9.7 km) 300 yd (270 m)
F3 October 5, 1906 3 20 Devalls to Slaughter West Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana 20.4 mi (32.8 km) 100 yd (91 m)
F3 October 5, 1906 4 30 Ponchatoula Tangipahoa 6 mi (9.7 km) 300 yd (270 m)
F3 April 5, 1907 13† 100 Jackson to E of Wilson West Feliciana, East Feliciana 15.3 mi (24.6 km) 400 yd (370 m)
F4 April 24, 1908 91[note 4] 400 N of Lamourie to N of Vidalia Rapides, Avoyelles, Catahoula, Concordia 122.6 mi (197.3 km)‡ 700 yd (640 m)
F4 143†[note 5] 770 S of Knapp to Amite to NE of Angie Pointe Coupee, West Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge, Livingston, St. Helena, Tangipahoa, Washington 154.9 mi (249.3 km)‡ 1000 yd (910 m)
F4 May 13, 1908 49†[note 6] 135 Gilliam Caddo, Bossier 24.5 mi (39.4 km) 300 yd (270 m)
F3 February 20, 1912 8 50 Shreveport to Bossier City Caddo, Bossier 15.2 mi (24.5 km) 200 yd (180 m)
F3 March 13, 1913 9 50 Florien to S of Provencal Sabine, Natchitoches 23.3 mi (37.5 km) 500 yd (460 m)
F3 March 16, 1919 17[note 7] 50 E of Baskin to S of Twin Oaks Franklin, Richland, Madison, East Carroll 65 mi (105 km)‡ 300 yd (270 m)
F3 December 23, 1921 6 30 Spencer to S of Lake Providence Union, Morehouse 24.9 mi (40.1 km) 200 yd (180 m)
F3 March 14, 1922 4 30 W of Lobdell West Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge 1.8 mi (2.9 km) 100 yd (91 m)
F4 April 4, 1923 15 100 Alexandria to Pineville Rapides 12.3 mi (19.8 km) 200 yd (180 m)
F3 April 12, 1923 5 25 N of Thibodaux Lafourche 24.9 mi (40.1 km) 200 yd (180 m)
F3 April 29, 1924 0 5 Crichton Red River Unknown 50 yd (46 m)

1925–1949

FU F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 Total
0 0 1 105 20 6 0 132
Deaths: 261 Injuries: 2,363

A total of 132 known significant[note 2] tornadoes impacted Louisiana from 1925 to 1949, which resulted in 261 deaths and 2,363 injuries. Out of these tornadoes, 26 of these were intense, the deadliest of which struck the city of Minden, killing 28 people and injuring 400 others. Several other places were significantly impacted by intense tornadoes during this time period, including Bastrop, Pleasant Hill, Rodessa, Shreveport, and Cotton Valley. The tornadoes which impacted these cities all caused significant loss of life, with each one killing at least 10 people.[25]

‡ Tornado crossed state lines in or out of Louisiana
Intense (F3+) tornadoes in Louisiana, 1925–1949[27]
F# Date Deaths Injuries Location Parish Path length Max width
F3 May 10, 1926 1 20 S of Ashland Natchitoches 5.1 mi (8.2 km) 400 yd (370 m)
F3 November 25, 1926 12 38 Bastrop to Mer Rouge Morehouse 5.3 mi (8.5 km) 100 yd (91 m)
F3 February 17, 1927 14 70 S of Converse to Pleasant Hill to S of Hanna Sabine, Natchitoches, Red River 26 mi (42 km) 200 yd (180 m)
F3 April 21, 1929 3 20 S of Oak Ridge Morehouse, Richland 15.2 mi (24.5 km) 150 yd (140 m)
F3 January 24, 1933 0 20 SE of French Settlement to E of Ponchatoula Livingston, Tangipahoa 29.6 mi (47.6 km) 100 yd (91 m)
F3 March 30, 1933 7 40 Hall Summit Red River, Bienville 15.5 mi (24.9 km) 900 yd (820 m)
F3 March 31, 1933 3 21 Zachary to W of Greensburg East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, St. Helena 27 mi (43 km) 200 yd (180 m)
F4 May 1, 1933 28 400 Minden Webster 5.9 mi (9.5 km) 400 yd (370 m)
F4 6 50 Arcadia Bienville, Claiborne 5.3 mi (8.5 km) 500 yd (460 m)
F3 May 4, 1933 1 15 Tallulah Madison 10.2 mi (16.4 km) 500 yd (460 m)
F3 April 6, 1935 14[note 8] 220 NW of Kentwood St. Helena, Tangipahoa 35 mi (56 km)‡ 300 yd (270 m)
F3 July 2, 1936 2 20 Mangham Richland, Franklin 10.1 mi (16.3 km) 100 yd (91 m)
F4 February 17, 1938 21 50 Rodessa Caddo 6.7 mi (10.8 km)‡ 200 yd (180 m)
F3 March 29, 1938 4 9 West Ferriday Concordia 2.7 mi (4.3 km) 75 yd (69 m)
F3 April 5, 1938 0 4 NW of Pine Prairie Evangeline 5.4 mi (8.7 km) 300 yd (270 m)
F4 April 16, 1939 8 50 Haynesville Claiborne 4.9 mi (7.9 km) 200 yd (180 m)
F3 March 12, 1940 10 60 Greenwood to Shreveport to Barksdale Air Force Base Caddo, Bossier 30.4 mi (48.9 km)‡ 200 yd (180 m)
F3 March 29, 1940 3 60 W of Paincourtville Assumption 2.3 mi (3.7 km) 300 yd (270 m)
F4 April 7, 1940 3 100 Amite Tangipahoa 4.6 mi (7.4 km) 400 yd (370 m)
F3 November 7, 1943 3 20 Maurice Vermillion 3.2 mi (5.1 km) 500 yd (460 m)
F3 November 14, 1947 0 17 DeRidder Beauregard 2.7 mi (4.3 km) 60 yd (55 m)
F4 December 31, 1947 18 225 S of Benton to Cotton Valley to Haynesville Bossier, Webster, Claiborne 59.7 mi (96.1 km)‡ 600 yd (550 m)
F3 January 3, 1949 1 7 E of Cotton Valley to E of Gordon Webster, Claiborne 25.3 mi (40.7 km) 300 yd (270 m)
F3 1 14 E of Choudrant to E of Farmerville Lincoln, Union 20.2 mi (32.5 km) Unknown
F3 March 24, 1949 7 69 W of Oak Grove East Carroll 55.6 mi (89.5 km)‡ 100 yd (91 m)
F3 May 1, 1949 1 12 S of Homer Claiborne Unknown Unknown

1950–1974

FU F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 Total
0 81 189 117 40 3 2 432
Deaths: 184 Injuries: 1,863

Between 1950 and 1974, a total of 432 recorded tornadoes impacted Louisiana, resulting in 184 deaths and 1,863 injuries. Forty-five of these tornadoes were intense, and the deadliest tornado was one produced by a supercell embedded within Hurricane Hilda which struck Larose and resulted in 22 fatalities.[16] Starting in 1950, following the first successful "tornado forecast" for the Tinker Air Force Base tornadoes in Oklahoma two years prior, forecasters were allowed to issue tornado warnings, which helped to significantly decrease tornado casualties.[29] Louisiana's first and only tornado to cause F5-rated damage also took place during this time frame, which was the 1971 Inverness tornado. This tornado struck Delhi and the nearby communities of Waverly and Transylvania, which killed 11 people within the state.[30]

‡ Tornado crossed state lines in or out of Louisiana
Intense (F3+) tornadoes in Louisiana, 1950–1974[31]
F# Date Deaths Injuries Location Parish Path length Max width
F4 February 12, 1950 8+[note 9] 70+ N of Stonewall to Barksdale Air Force Base Caddo, Bossier ≥20 mi (32 km) 100 yd (91 m)
F3 5+[note 10] 25+ Zwolle to Roy to S of Hanna Sabine, De Soto, Natchitoches, Red River, Bienville 74.5 mi (119.9 km) 100 yd (91 m)
F3 January 6, 1951 0 11 Alexandria to Pollock Rapides, Grant 16.8 mi (27.0 km) 317 yd (290 m)
F3 March 10, 1952 0 0 E of Stonewall to Homer De Soto, Caddo, Bossier, Webster, Claiborne 50.9 mi (81.9 km) 650 yd (590 m)
F3 April 4, 1952 0 10 S of Welsh to N of Rayne Jefferson Davis, Acadia 36.7 mi (59.1 km) 100 yd (91 m)
F3 February 6, 1953 2 21 S of Holden to Hammond Livingston, Tangipahoa 15.6 mi (25.1 km) 400 yd (370 m)
F3 May 17, 1953 0 17 Rayville to Epps to S of Lake Providence Richland, West Carroll, East Carroll 41.6 mi (66.9 km)‡ 100 yd (91 m)
F4 December 3, 1953 7+[note 11] 50 NE of Fullerton to Alexandria to NE of Ball Vernon, Rapides, Grant ≥45 mi (72 km) 300 yd (270 m)
F5 December 5, 1953 38[note 12] 270 Delta Madison 9 mi (14 km)‡ 500 yd (460 m)
F3 January 22, 1957 3 9 N of Haughton Bossier 1.7 mi (2.7 km) 167 yd (153 m)
F3 March 21, 1957 0 2 N of Chauvin Terrebonne 2 mi (3.2 km) 100 yd (91 m)
F3 October 15, 1957 1 29 S of Opelousas to N of Dupont St. Landry, Pointe Coupee 37.9 mi (61.0 km) 100 yd (91 m)
F3 November 7, 1957 0 5 Torras Pointe Coupee 3.6 mi (5.8 km) 50 yd (46 m)
F3 3 16 S of Boyce to Alexandria Rapides 13.3 mi (21.4 km) 67 yd (61 m)
F3 4 10 Cankton Acadia, St. Landry 9.2 mi (14.8 km) 200 yd (180 m)
F3 September 10, 1961 1 55 Kaplan Vermillion 5.7 mi (9.2 km) 283 yd (259 m)
F3 September 12, 1961 5 37 Jonesboro Jackson 2 mi (3.2 km) 400 yd (370 m)
F3 April 24, 1964 0 2 Greenwood to Shreveport to Bossier City Caddo, Bossier 20.6 mi (33.2 km) 500 yd (460 m)
F4 October 22, 1964 22 165 Larose Lafourche 1.5 mi (2.4 km) 67 yd (61 m)
F3 February 11, 1965 0 3 W of Keatchie to Barksdale Air Force Base De Soto, Caddo, Bossier 33 mi (53 km) 117 yd (107 m)
F3 January 28, 1966 0 0 Luling St. Charles 0.1 mi (0.16 km) 17 yd (16 m)
F3 May 1, 1967 0 2 NW of Oberlin Allen 5.2 mi (8.4 km) 750 yd (690 m)
F3 February 1, 1968 0 0 S of Monroe Ouachita 0.5 mi (0.80 km) 100 yd (91 m)
F3 March 11, 1968 0 0 Natchitoches Natchitoches 1 mi (1.6 km) 100 yd (91 m)
F3 November 27, 1968 0 0 E of Mer Rouge Morehouse 0.5 mi (0.80 km) 33 yd (30 m)
F3 April 12, 1969 0 1 S of Gonzales to S of French Settlement Ascension, Livingston 10.7 mi (17.2 km) 100 yd (91 m)
F3 December 25, 1969 1 8 Kaplan Vermillion 1.5 mi (2.4 km) 100 yd (91 m)
F3 0 1 S of Bayou Sorrel to White Castle Iberville 13.5 mi (21.7 km) 50 yd (46 m)
F3 December 29, 1969 0 2 S of Jonesville to NE of Ferriday Catahoula, Concordia 29.1 mi (46.8 km) 183 yd (167 m)
F3 March 17, 1970 0 2 Patterson St. Mary 1 mi (1.6 km) 50 yd (46 m)
F3 April 19, 1970 0 2 SE of Shreveport to S of Taylortown Caddo, Bossier 6.8 mi (10.9 km) 50 yd (46 m)
F3 February 12, 1971 0 1 Lake Charles Calcasieu 3.6 mi (5.8 km) 150 yd (140 m)
F5 February 21, 1971 48[note 13] 510 Delhi to S of Lake Providence Madison, East Carroll 109.2 mi (175.7 km)‡ 500 yd (460 m)
F3 June 22, 1971 0 0 Alexandria International Airport Rapides 0.1 mi (0.16 km) 17 yd (16 m)
F3 September 16, 1971 0 3 Baton Rouge East Baton Rouge 7.3 mi (11.7 km) 83 yd (76 m)
F3 February 29, 1972 0 3 E of Erwinville West Baton Rouge 1 mi (1.6 km) 200 yd (180 m)
F3 January 18, 1973 1 2 N of Cotton Plant to E of Dehlco Caldwell, Ouachita, Richland 38 mi (61 km) 73 yd (67 m)
F3 April 17, 1973 0 1 W of Vinton Calcasieu 0.5 mi (0.80 km) 10 yd (9.1 m)
F3 0 0 Lake Charles Calcasieu 0.5 mi (0.80 km) 10 yd (9.1 m)
F3 April 25, 1973 0 0 NE of Baton Rouge East Baton Rouge 0.3 mi (0.48 km) 70 yd (64 m)
F3 March 20, 1974 1 9 Zwolle to W of Winnfield Sabine, Natchitoches, Winn 85.2 mi (137.1 km)‡ 200 yd (180 m)
F3 0 18 Many to Natchitoches Sabine, Natchitoches, Winn 44.7 mi (71.9 km)‡ 77 yd (70 m)
F3 October 29, 1974 2 52 N of Lake Arthur to Estherwood to N of Crowley Jefferson Davis, Acadia 31.3 mi (50.4 km) 200 yd (180 m)
F3 0 1 Lafayette Lafayette, St. Martin 7.3 mi (11.7 km) 167 yd (153 m)

1975–1999

FU F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 Total
0 210 446 135 46 4 0 841
Deaths: 35 Injuries: 1,327

From 1975 to 1999, a total of 841 recorded tornadoes occurred in Louisiana, which caused 35 deaths and 1,327 injuries. During this time period, 50 intense tornadoes took place. Multiple destructive tornadoes impacted the Shreveport–Bossier City area. These included an F4 tornado on December 3, 1978, which killed two people and caused $250 million (1978 USD) in damage,[37] an F3 tornado on November 15, 1987, which killed one person and caused $50 million (1987 USD) in damage,[38] as well as the deadliest tornado to strike the state during this time frame, which was an F4 tornado that killed seven people and caused $8 million (1999 USD) on April 3, 1999.[39] In 1983, two other F4-rated tornadoes caused major damage within the cities of LaPlace and Collinston.[40][41]

‡ Tornado crossed state lines in or out of Louisiana
Intense (F3+) tornadoes in Louisiana, 1975–1999[31]
F# Date Deaths Injuries Location Parish Path length Max width
F3 March 20, 1976 0 32 Kilbourne West Carroll 4.6 mi (7.4 km)‡ 50 yd (46 m)
F3 April 21, 1977 1 11 N of Breaux Bridge St. Martin 3.8 mi (6.1 km) 440 yd (400 m)
F3 April 17, 1978 0 2 N of Saint Joseph Tensas 20.7 mi (33.3 km)‡ 100 yd (91 m)
F4 December 3, 1978 2 266 Shreveport to Bossier City Caddo, Bossier 8.9 mi (14.3 km) 400 yd (370 m)
F3 0 0 N of Eastwood to N of Spearsville Bossier, Webster, Claiborne, Union 61.1 mi (98.3 km) 10 yd (9.1 m)
F3 2 4 NW of Heflin to NE of Spearsville Webster, Bienville, Claiborne, Union 60 mi (97 km)‡ 300 yd (270 m)
F3 October 27, 1980 0 0 E of Pleasant Hill Sabine, Natchitoches 5.6 mi (9.0 km) 500 yd (460 m)
F3 June 5, 1981 0 10 Alexandria to Pineville Rapides 4.3 mi (6.9 km) 40 yd (37 m)
F3 April 25, 1982 0 0 Four Forks Caddo 7 mi (11 km) 200 yd (180 m)
F3 0 1 Minden to E of Athens Webster, Claiborne 23 mi (37 km) 500 yd (460 m)
F3 September 12, 1982 0 0 Clayton Concordia 2 mi (3.2 km) 133 yd (122 m)
F3 January 31, 1983 1 0 NE of Kaplan Vermillion 6 mi (9.7 km) 100 yd (91 m)
F3 1 2 E of Bunkie Avoyelles 5 mi (8.0 km) 100 yd (91 m)
F3 February 9, 1983 0 0 NW of Church Point Acadia 3 mi (4.8 km) 150 yd (140 m)
F3 0 7 E of Church Point to Opelousas to E of Port Barre Acadia, St. Landry 21 mi (34 km) 150 yd (140 m)
F3 March 20, 1983 0 0 NE of Franklinton Washington 2 mi (3.2 km) 200 yd (180 m)
F4 April 1, 1983 2 20 N of Swartz to Collinston Ouachita, Morehouse 9 mi (14 km) 1000 yd (910 m)
F3 0 0 N of Columbia Caldwell 6 mi (9.7 km) 250 yd (230 m)
F3 0 4 S of Baskin to N of Delhi Franklin, Richland 21 mi (34 km) 300 yd (270 m)
F3 0 0 Waverly Madison 3 mi (4.8 km) 150 yd (140 m)
F3 0 0 N of Tallulah Madison, East Carroll 4 mi (6.4 km) 150 yd (140 m)
F3 May 18, 1983 0 0 E of Newellton Tensas 9 mi (14 km) 100 yd (91 m)
F3 0 0 Richmond Madison 5 mi (8.0 km) 100 yd (91 m)
F3 May 19, 1983 0 0 N of Many Sabine 3 mi (4.8 km) 150 yd (140 m)
F3 0 0 Natchitoches Natchitoches 2 mi (3.2 km) 200 yd (180 m)
F3 0 10 S of Goldonna to SE of Winnfield Natchitoches, Winn 23 mi (37 km) 500 yd (460 m)
F3 1 35 Urania to W of Clarks La Salle, Caldwell 12 mi (19 km) 500 yd (460 m)
F3 0 6 NE of Columbia Caldwell 2 mi (3.2 km) 250 yd (230 m)
F3 May 20, 1983 0 0 SE of Plaucheville Avoyelles 2 mi (3.2 km) 200 yd (180 m)
F3 0 0 W of Holly Beach Cameron 5 mi (8.0 km) 200 yd (180 m)
F3 November 19, 1983 0 0 E of Bernice Union 2 mi (3.2 km) 200 yd (180 m)
F3 0 0 Delta Madison 0.5 mi (0.80 km) 100 yd (91 m)
F4 December 6, 1983 0 25 LaPlace St. John the Baptist 7 mi (11 km) 200 yd (180 m)
F3 May 2, 1984 0 9 W of Stonewall to Bienville Caddo, De Soto, Bossier, Bienville 61 mi (98 km) 250 yd (230 m)
F3 May 7, 1984 0 0 S of Lake Providence East Carroll 1 mi (1.6 km) 100 yd (91 m)
F3 May 20, 1984 0 0 Cameron Cameron 3 mi (4.8 km) 150 yd (140 m)
F3 October 14, 1984 0 0 Zachary to Clinton East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana 16 mi (26 km) 150 yd (140 m)
F3 April 23, 1985 0 0 E of Ida Caddo 13 mi (21 km)‡ 200 yd (180 m)
F3 November 15, 1987 1 116 W of Longstreet to Shreveport De Soto, Caddo 48 mi (77 km)‡ 500 yd (460 m)
F3 December 21, 1990 0 0 W of Waterproof to NE of St. Joseph Tensas 18 mi (29 km) 300 yd (270 m)
F3 August 25, 1992 2 32 LaPlace to NW of Reserve St. John the Baptist 9 mi (14 km) 150 yd (140 m)
F3 November 3, 1992 0 0 SW of Mount Lebanon to Arcadia Bienville 7 mi (11 km) 300 yd (270 m)
F3 November 21, 1992 0 2 Iowa Calcasieu, Jefferson Davis 6 mi (9.7 km) 73 yd (67 m)
F3 0 6 N of Monterey Concordia 3 mi (4.8 km) 100 yd (91 m)
F3 0 11 SE of Sicily Island to SE of Richmond Catahoula, Tensas, Madison 38 mi (61 km) 200 yd (180 m)
F3 January 21, 1999 0 0 E of Wisner to NW of Newellton Franklin, Tensas, Madison 22 mi (35 km) Unknown
F3 April 3, 1999 0 1 Logansport De Soto, Natchitoches 5.4 mi (8.7 km)‡ 150 yd (140 m)
F4 7 102 Shreveport to E of Benton Caddo, Bossier 20.1 mi (32.3 km) 200 yd (180 m)
F3 0 0 Athens Claiborne 8.5 mi (13.7 km) 200 yd (180 m)
F3 0 0 N of Lisbon to S of Junction City Claiborne 14.5 mi (23.3 km) 600 yd (550 m)

2000–present

FU F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 Total
89 450 555 125 20 2 0 1,241
Deaths: 48 Injuries: 671

Since 2000, a total of 1,241 recorded tornadoes have impacted Louisiana, which have killed 48 people and injured 671 others. Twenty-two of these tornadoes were intense. Several tornadoes struck highly-populated cities, including two EF3 tornadoes that struck the New Orleans metropolitan area in 2017 and 2022, the latter of which killed two people.[42][43] On April 12, 2020, the Monroe tornado took place, which caused $250 million (2020 USD) in damage.[44] Another EF3 tornado struck Ruston on April 25, 2019, killing two people and causing $50 million in damage (2019 USD).[45] The 2010 Yazoo City tornado caused EF3-rated damage in areas north of Tallulah on April 24, 2010, before causing devastating damage and killing 10 people in Yazoo City, Mississippi as it traveled along a 149-mile (240 km) path.[46] Another EF4 tornado leveled homes outside of Atlanta on November 29 of the same year.[47]

‡ Tornado crossed state lines in or out of Louisiana
Intense (F3+/EF3+) tornadoes in Louisiana, 2000–present[48]
F#/EF# Date Deaths Injuries Location Parish Path length Max width
F3 April 23, 2000 0 3 SW of Greenwood to SE of Taylortown Caddo, Bossier 32.5 mi (52.3 km) 500 yd (460 m)
F3 0 0 NE of Pleasant Hill to Campti De Soto, Red River, Natchitoches 23.4 mi (37.7 km) 200 yd (180 m)
F3 November 24, 2001 3 11 Bastrop to NE of Bonita Morehouse 30 mi (48 km)‡ 880 yd (800 m)
F3 November 23, 2004 1 20 Olla to SE of Columbia La Salle, Caldwell 15 mi (24 km) 300 yd (270 m)
F3 September 24, 2005 0 3 Clayton to NW of Waterproof Concordia, Tensas 14 mi (23 km) 100 yd (91 m)
EF3 January 20, 2010 0 0 N of Greenwood Caddo 15.6 mi (25.1 km)‡ 1087 yd (994 m)
EF4 April 24, 2010 10 146 N of Tallulah Madison 149 mi (240 km)‡ 3080 yd (2820 m)
EF4 November 29, 2010 0 0 Atlanta to Winnfield Winn 14 mi (23 km) 400 yd (370 m)
EF3 May 26, 2011 0 4 E of Sun St. Tammany 6.1 mi (9.8 km) 150 yd (140 m)
EF3 February 23, 2016 2 75 Paincourtville to NE of Convent Caddo 7.8 mi (12.6 km) 350 yd (320 m)
EF3 February 7, 2017 0 33 New Orleans Orleans 10.1 mi (16.3 km) 600 yd (550 m)
EF3 0 3 NE of Watson Livingston 6.4 mi (10.3 km) 350 yd (320 m)
EF3 April 25, 2019 2 2 Ruston Lincoln 11.2 mi (18.0 km) 1100 yd (1000 m)
EF3 December 16, 2019 1 0 DeRidder to Alexandria to Pineville Beauregard, Vernon, Rapides 62.6 mi (100.7 km) 550 yd (500 m)
EF3 April 12, 2020 0 0 Monroe Ouachita 8 mi (13 km) 300 yd (270 m)
EF3 0 0 S of Sterlington Ouachita 2.6 mi (4.2 km) 400 yd (370 m)
EF3 May 17, 2020 1 9 N of Church Point Acadia, St. Landry 3.9 mi (6.3 km) 100 yd (91 m)
EF3 April 10, 2021 1 7 E of Palmetto St. Landry 8.7 mi (14.0 km) 200 yd (180 m)
EF3 March 22, 2022 2 2 Arabi Jefferson, St. Charles, Orleans 11.5 mi (18.5 km) 320 yd (290 m)
EF3 November 29, 2022 0 1 SE of Grayson Caldwell 8 mi (13 km) 300 yd (270 m)
EF3 December 13, 2022 0 14 Farmerville Union 9.1 mi (14.6 km) 500 yd (460 m)
EF3 December 28, 2024 0 2 N of Johnson Bayou Cameron 67.9 mi (109.3 km)‡ 880 yd (800 m)

Notes

  1. ^ In the United States, a tornado or twister both refer to a violently rotating column of air that reaches the ground. The National Weather Service (NWS) describes them as the "most destructive of all atmospheric phenomena".[1]
  2. ^ a b Defined by Grazulis as receiving a rating of at least F2 or causing a fatality
  3. ^ All recorded fatalities took place in and around Natchez, Mississippi, though it is possible that hundreds of fatalities may have taken place within Louisiana as deaths from enslaved people in the state were not officially recorded.[28]
  4. ^ Thirty-nine of these fatalities took place within Louisiana.
  5. ^ Forty-seven of these fatalities took place within Louisiana.
  6. ^ As of December 2025, this is the deadliest tornado in Louisiana history.
  7. ^ Five of these fatalities took place within Louisiana.
  8. ^ All fatalities occurred in Mississippi.
  9. ^ Data from Grazulis;[32] NCEI lists 18 fatalities and 77 injuries.[33]
  10. ^ Data from NCEI;[34] Grazulis lists 9 fatalities and 40 injuries.[32]
  11. ^ Data from Grazulis;[35] NCEI lists 9 fatalities.[36]
  12. ^ All fatalities and F5-rated damage occurred when the tornado struck Vicksburg, Mississippi.
  13. ^ Eleven fatalities occurred in Louisiana.

References

  1. ^ "National Weather Service Glossary". National Weather Service. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  2. ^ "Which States In The United States Are Part Of The Dixie Alley?". WorldAtlas. 2018-08-30. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
  3. ^ a b "Tornadoes". www.ulm.edu. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
  4. ^ Hayes, John L. (March 2009). "Service Assessment on the Super Tuesday Tornado Outbreak of February 5-6, 2008" (PDF). NOAA. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 4, 2010. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
  5. ^ Flynn, Whitney; Islam, Tanveer (April 2019). "Spatial and temporal analysis of the 27 April 2011 tornado outbreak in Central Alabama" (PDF). GeoJournal. 84 (2): 533–544. Bibcode:2019GeoJo..84..533F. doi:10.1007/s10708-018-9874-3.
  6. ^ Ashley, Walker S. (1 December 2007). "Spatial and Temporal Analysis of Tornado Fatalities in the United States: 1880–2005". Weather and Forecasting. 22 (6): 1214–1228. Bibcode:2007WtFor..22.1214A. doi:10.1175/2007WAF2007004.1. Retrieved 24 December 2025.
  7. ^ "Historical Records and Patterns". www.ncei.noaa.gov. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 22 December 2025.
  8. ^ Capital-Journal, The Topeka. "Tornadoes in Louisiana since 1950". The Topeka Capital-Journal. Archived from the original on 2025-03-15. Retrieved 2025-07-14.
  9. ^ a b c d e Multiple sources:
  10. ^ Multiple sources:
  11. ^ Multiple sources:
  12. ^ a b Cline 1908, p. 132.
  13. ^ a b Selden 1908, p. 133.
  14. ^ Multiple sources:
  15. ^ Multiple sources:
  16. ^ a b U.S. Weather Bureau (October 1964). "Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena Event #10030801". Storm Data. 6 (10). Asheville, North Carolina: National Climatic Data Center.
  17. ^ Hagemeyer, Bartlett C.; Spratt, Scott M. (2002). Written at Melbourne, Florida. Thirty Years After Hurricane Agnes: the Forgotten Florida Tornado Disaster (PDF). 25th Conference on Hurricanes and Tropical Meteorology. San Diego, California: American Meteorological Society. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 16, 2008.
  18. ^ Multiple sources:
  19. ^ Journal, Jessica Gorman, Webster Parish (2025-01-03). "Webster Parish Journal: Historically Speaking -- New Year's Eve tornado hits Cotton Valley, 1947". Magnolia Reporter - Magnolia, Arkansas News. Retrieved 2025-12-21.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  20. ^ "LOUISIANA TORNADO KILLS 14, HURTS 50; Cuts a Swath 100 Yards Wide Through Pineville, Damaging Much Property". The New York Times. 14 April 1923. Retrieved 21 December 2025.
  21. ^ Grazulis 1990, p. 199.
  22. ^ Grazulis 1990, p. 103.
  23. ^ "Probably Fifteen Lives Were Lost In a Storm Which Crossed Three Gulf States". The Granada Times. Vol. IX, no. 37. N. H. Lewis. 11 April 1907. Retrieved 21 December 2025.
  24. ^ U.S. Weather Bureau. "Storm Events Database". Storm Data. Asheville, North Carolina: National Climatic Data Center.
  25. ^ a b Grazulis 1990.
  26. ^ Grazulis, Thomas P.; Grazulis, Doris (26 April 2000). "The United States' Worst Tornadoes". The Tornado Project. St. Johnsbury, Vermont: Environmental Films. Archived from the original on 14 May 2008. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  27. ^ a b Multiple sources:
  28. ^ Grazulis2001b, p. 10.
  29. ^ Giaimo, Cara (2016-02-10). "Until 1950, U.S. Weathermen Were Forbidden From Talking About Tornados". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
  30. ^ Multiple sources:
  31. ^ a b Multiple sources:
  32. ^ a b Grazulis 1990, p. 347.
  33. ^ Multiple sources:
  34. ^ Multiple sources:
  35. ^ Grazulis 1990, p. 370.
  36. ^ Multiple sources:
  37. ^ Storm Data Publication, #10029982
  38. ^ Multiple sources:
  39. ^ Multiple sources:
  40. ^ Storm Data Publication, #10044054
  41. ^ Storm Data Publication, #10043997
  42. ^ Storm Data Publication, #675328
  43. ^ Multiple sources:
  44. ^ Storm Data Publication, #879880
  45. ^ Storm Data Publication, #815582
  46. ^ US Department of Commerce, NOAA. "NWS Jackson, MS - April 24, 2010 Violent Long Track Tornado". www.weather.gov. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
  47. ^ US Department of Commerce, NOAA. "November 29, 2010: EF4 Tornado in Central Louisiana". www.weather.gov. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
  48. ^ "Storm Events Database". National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved January 26, 2025.

Sources

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