NWS: Three tornadoes touched down in Acadiana Monday night

Scott Yoshonis
·2 min read

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KLFY) — The National Weather Service has confirmed that tornadoes touched down in at least three places in Acadiana Monday night.

The NWS’s Lake Charles office said an EF-2 tornado touched down in St. Martin Parish between Cecilia and Henderson.

Lydia Stegall, 24, of Bronson, Texas died when winds rolled over the camper she occupied in the 1000 block of Paul Road in Cecilia

Officials said they believe the tornado started around the Bayou Teche area just south of Cecilia, turned into EF-2 when it got into Henderson, traveling at least five miles before entering the Atchafalaya Basin.

Wind speeds topped out at 120 mph and had a maximum width of 400 yards.

In Calcasieu Parish an EF-1 tornado touched down in Westlake, causing roof and exterior wall damage to several homes and businesses, authorities said. The tornado crossed I-10 into downtown Lake Charles, where it caused additional roof damage to a business. Along the path, trees and power lines were also downed. No injuries or fatalities were reported.

According to NWS, this tornado generated winds of 100 mph over a path of 6.5 miles.

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Officials also confirmed a tornado touched down in the Sulphur area that may have gone into Lake Charles. The squall line traveled all the way down I-10 from southeast Texas through much of south Louisiana, authorities said.

Officials said more information will be obtained when high-resolution satellite images taken during the storm become available.

The Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF) classifies tornadoes into the following categories:

  • EF-0: 65 to 85 mph

  • EF-1: 86 to 110 mph

  • EF-2: 111 to 135 mph

  • EF-3: 136 to 165 mph

  • EF-4: 166 to 200 mph

  • EF-5: >200 mph

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