A tornado watch continues for much of east Louisiana — including all parishes of the Capital Region — and southwest Mississippi until 7 p.m. today. Tornadoes, hail to one-half-inch in diameter and dangerous lightning are possible in these areas. A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings. To monitor this weather situation, click here and here for the National Weather Service’s New Orleans-Baton Rouge forecast office Web site. City-parish officials are being encouraged to allow all nonessential employees to leave work early, because the worst weather activity should pass through metro Baton Rouge between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. There have been no reports of severe weather in the Capital Region through 3 p.m.
Earlier today, however, a tornado wreaked havoc in the southwest Louisiana city of Jennings, uprooting trees, blowing down power lines and overturning at least one tractor-trailer traveling on Interstate 10. The National Weather Service in Lake Charles says the twister touched down about 1 p.m. today and crossed the interstate. Jonathan Brazzell, a service hydrologist, says they’ve also fielded reports of damage to at least one grain silo and one home in the Elton area. The sheriff’s office says they’ve received reports “mostly of trees and light poles down.” Neither agency reported any injuries or deaths.
