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Tornadoes Confirmed in Louisiana and Mississippi After Weekend Storms

4 months agoUS
Tornadoes Confirmed in Louisiana and Mississippi After Weekend StormsSource: wdsu.com
Several tornadoes touched down in Louisiana and Mississippi during the early hours of Sunday, February 16, 2026. The National Weather Service (NWS) has since confirmed these tornadoes, providing details on their strength and impact. These weather events prompted weather alert days and live coverage from local news outlets.

Key Insights

Multiple Tornadoes:: Four tornadoes were confirmed in Southeast Louisiana, and additional tornadoes were confirmed in Pike County, Mississippi, and Lake Charles, Louisiana.

EF Ratings:: The tornadoes ranged from EF0 to EF1 in intensity. An EF1 tornado near Donaldsonville had winds over 100 mph. Two EF1 tornadoes near Franklinton and Folsom had winds between 90 and 95 mph. An EF0 tornado touched down near Thibodaux with winds up to 85 mph. An EF-1 tornado touched down in Lake Charles Saturday evening near U.S. 14 starting at Pinewood Drive around 8:55 p.m.

Impact:: The tornadoes caused damage to homes, mobile homes, and trees, as well as power outages. In St. James Parish, an EF-1 tornado snapped power poles and uprooted trees.

In-Depth Analysis

The severe weather event began late Saturday and continued into early Sunday, prompting WDSU to label the days as weather alert days, with live coverage from midnight until past 2 a.m. The tornadoes were initially indicated by Doppler radar but were not confirmed until Wednesday afternoon following ground surveys by the National Weather Service.

The confirmed tornadoes include:

Donaldsonville: An EF1 tornado with winds over 100 mph.

Franklinton and Folsom: Two EF1 tornadoes with winds between 90 and 95 mph.

Thibodaux: An EF0 tornado with winds up to 85 mph.

Lake Charles: An EF-1 tornado that touched down Saturday evening near U.S. 14 starting at Pinewood Drive around 8:55 p.m.

St. James Parish: An EF-1 tornado that snapped power poles as it tracked through the northern part of the parish toward Interstate 10, leading to power outages.

Pike County, Mississippi: An EF-0 tornado.

West-southwest of Folsom in Tangipahoa Parish: An EF-1 tornado with estimated maximum winds of 95 mph.

FAQs

Q: What is an EF rating?

The Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale is used to rate the intensity of tornadoes based on the damage they cause. EF0 is the weakest, and EF5 is the strongest.

Q: How can I stay safe during a tornado?

Seek shelter in a basement, storm cellar, or interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Stay away from windows and doors.

Key Takeaways

Several tornadoes have been confirmed in Louisiana and Mississippi, causing damage and power outages. It is important to stay informed about weather alerts and take necessary precautions during severe weather events. The key actions include seeking shelter in a safe location, staying away from windows, and monitoring local news for updates.

Discussion

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