March 2nd 1999 Tornado Outbreak Over Southeast Texas and Southern Louisiana

Robert B. Darby*  &  Roger N. Erickson

National Weather Service
Lake Charles, Louisiana

DeQUINCY TORNADO

WSR-88D Radar - Base Reflectivity and Storm Relative Velocity Products:

0741PM - KLCH - Base reflectivity product
0741 PM - KLCH - Storm relative velocity product
0751PM - KLCH - Base reflectivity product
0751 PM - KLCH - Storm relative velocity product

A strong tornado developed when two large thunderstorm complexes merged over Southwestern Beauregard Parish. Moving southeast at 20 mph, this tornado missed Starks and DeQuincy and dissipated before reaching Sulphur or Lake Charles. Unfortunately, one home was damaged about 12 miles Northwest of Sulphur. A large swath of trees was blown down across Highway 12 between DeQuincy and Starks. This was the strongest tornado to hit Calcasieu Parish since October 22, 1979 when an F2 tornado struck Sulphur.

Numerous pine trees shredded.

Large swath of pine trees down.

Another view along dirt road.