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State history

Tornadoes in Louisiana

Louisiana averages 38 tornadoes per year. Here is the complete history.

The stats

Average: 38 tornadoes/year.
Peak season: Feb-April.
Population and vulnerability considerations.
Regional patterns.
Community awareness.
Skywarn active.

Notable events

1908 Amite F4 — 143 dead.
1953 Waco impact — TX-LA border.
1965 Palm Sunday impact — LA events.
1974 Super Outbreak impact — LA.
2005 Hurricane Rita tornadoes — multiple.
2019 October outbreak — multiple events.
2020 outbreaks — Category 4 hurricane season spawn.
2024 outbreaks — continued.

Major cities

New Orleans metro

1.3M. Hurricane-spawned tornadoes.

Baton Rouge

200k. Central LA.

Shreveport-Bossier City

400k. NW LA.

Lafayette

125k.

Lake Charles

80k. SW LA.

Monroe

50k. NE LA.

NWS coverage

NWS New Orleans-Baton Rouge

Southern LA.

NWS Shreveport

N LA.

NWS Lake Charles

SW LA.

NWS Jackson MS

NE LA.

Chase community

Regional chasers active.
Multi-state coordination.
Documentation of events.
Public safety focus.
Community involvement.
Skywarn integration.

Preparedness

Weather radio.
WEA enabled.
Family communication plan.
Community shelter awareness.
Storm shelter installation.
Insurance current.
Regular drills.
Emergency contact list.

Vulnerabilities

Population distribution.
Building code enforcement.
Mobile home density in specific areas.
Community shelter access.
Rural coverage gaps.
Historical vulnerabilities.

For residents

Preparedness essential.
Local NWS office familiarity.
Community engagement.
Multi-hazard awareness.
Family plan.
Insurance verification.
Ongoing education.

Learn more

Further reading