re: Tornado! Large PDS Watch Issued for Portions of LA & MS

LINK

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Caldwell Parish Tornado: Last night the National Weather Service in Shreveport released their report of the tornado that occurred in Caldwell parish. It has been rated an EF3 with peak winds of 140 mph. Details from the NWS Shreveport's Report: The tornado first touched down along HWY 126 in southeast Caldwell parish near the Holum community. Two residences were destroyed in that area and it resulted in a person getting non-life-threatening injuries. This damage was rated as a strong EF2. Another home along the path was destroyed and that warranted a weak EF2 rating. As it continued north and east, it tore apart some barns/outbuildings and unfortunately, killed some livestock. In this area is where peak winds of 140 mph (EF3) damage occurred. (*The picture below of ground scouring from the tornado is where this EF3 rating was issued. This is a trait associated with very violent tornado vortices*) After leaving that area, the tornado tracked another 3.5 miles and caused significant tree damage, which confirmed more EF2 strength. The tornado then reached the Ouachita River where a couple more homes received heavy damage and a few outbuildings were completely destroyed. The tornado crossed the river and caused more tree damage along Lee Ln and then lifted shortly after crossing Parish Road 6625. Tornado Details: It was on the ground for 9 minutes and traveled for 7.19 miles and had a maximum width of 300 yards. 1st picture: The path of the tornado. 2nd picture: Ground scouring caused by the very violent vortices of the tornado. This was near the location of the livestock that were killed. *Taken by surveyors of the National Weather Service* 3rd picture: The supercell (rotating thunderstorm) as it crossed over Caldwell parish. 4th picture: The ArkLaMiss tornado count and paths from this year. The count is now up to 12. *This does not include the Madison parish tornado from Tuesday night. The NWS Jackson will be out to survey that area today and a report should be in by later tonight or tomorrow*

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Video of tornado

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I was wondering if they might do that. I remember the EF3 that came through Monroe on Easter 2020, and I don’t remember seeing the damage to houses like this Caldwell tornado caused.

Isn’t damage a big part of the assessment when they determine how strong a tornado is? I’m thinking maybe because it was in such a rural area, that they may not really know the true strength of this tornado. I have no idea though and am just throwing out a blind opinion.

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Isn’t damage a big part of the assessment when they determine how strong a tornado is?

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It is pretty much the assessment at this point. Future iterations of the EF scale may include other things such as radar data, but for now it is strictly damage based.

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I’m thinking maybe because it was in such a rural area, that they may not really know the true strength of this tornado.

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Always a possibility. The rural nature of some tornadoes will always lead to debate. If a tornado is at its strongest in the middle of a field, there is nothing there for it to damage (El Reno 2013). At this time, survey crews will only rate on observed damage, be it to structures or vegetation.

We aren't far from seeing an updated EF Scale put in place. I know it is nearing completion, so maybe in the next year or so.

If the thing digs a trench that should be some indication.