THE MAJOR TORNADO OUTBREAK ACROSS SOUTHEAST TEXAS AND SOUTHERN LOUISIANA - STORM ASSESSMENT
 

Robert B. Darby  &  Raymond J. Sondag *

Weather Forecast Office
Lake Charles, Louisiana

IOTA TORNADO

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

0311 AM - KLCH - Four panel base reflectivity product
0311 AM - KLCH - Four panel storm relative velocity product
0321 AM - KLCH - Four panel base reflectivity product
0321 AM - KLCH - Four panel storm relative velocity product

Tornado Damage:

The Iota tornado produced the longest damage path with a track of 10 miles. It touched down east of Evangeline in Acadia Parish and tracked northeast, just south of Iota, before dissipating northeast of the community. The most extensive damaged occurred southeast of Iota, where the tornado caused significant structural damage to a home and barn. The roof was completely torn off the home, with a portion of the barn severely damage. (see pictures below). The tornado also picked up a small airplane, propelling it across the road into a neighbors field. Also, numerous power poles were knocked down along the tornado path.

Pictures courtesy of Jessica Stroupe (Former Meteorologist Student Intern; WFO Lake Charles).

Structural damage southeast of Iota.	Different view, large tree limbs in field.	Close up view of home. Roof completely torn off.	Barn partially destroyed.
Another view of barn.	Trailer flipped on east side of barn.	Large tree limbs down in front of home.	Large tree down on west side of home.