News Summary
Shreveport residents faced severe weather warnings on Tuesday morning as a storm capable of producing tornadoes swept through the area. With damage reported in multiple locations, residents were urged to seek shelter. The storm caused power outages for about 29,000 customers, prompting local utilities to assess the damage. Authorities confirmed two EF-1 tornadoes made landfall, highlighting the dangers of the situation. As recovery efforts began, residents were advised to stay informed and prepared.
Severe Thunderstorm and Tornado Warning Hits Shreveport Area
In what can only be described as a *wild Tuesday morning*, Shreveport residents found themselves in the midst of severe weather warnings as the National Weather Service issued a severe weather statement just after 9 a.m. The heart of the storm, capable of producing a tornado, was tracked over Blanchard, which is roughly eight miles northwest of Shreveport.
The Storm is Here
As the storm barreled through, it brought with it a host of potential hazards. It’s been reported that flying debris, along with damage to *mobile homes, roofs, windows, and even vehicles*, were significant concerns. Places like Shreveport, Bossier City, and Blanchard were all in the line of fire. Residents were urged to take immediate action and find refuge in an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building, steering clear of any windows, just in case things got crazy.
Tornado Warnings and Watches
As a precaution, a *tornado warning* was active until 9:30 a.m. for west-central Caddo Parish, while a broader *tornado watch* remained in effect until 3 p.m. This was no small matter; in fact, two EF-1 tornadoes were confirmed to have touched down in Northern Caddo Parish, causing stir and worry among residents.
Damage Reports and Safety Concerns
Damage started pouring in from various areas as reports came in about downed utility lines, toppled trees, and even some traffic incidents. A particularly harrowing event occurred in Blanchard, where a tree crashed onto a woman’s home. Thankfully, no injuries were reported, but the aftermath saw her husband’s car, which was parked in the driveway, take quite a hit from the same tree.
Nearby Minden, LA, and DeKalb, TX also faced significant storm damage. Homes in Minden saw roofs blown off, while New Boston, TX wasn’t spared with multiple reports of damaged buildings. An RV park in Camp County even reported overturned trailers, and there were injuries associated with those mishaps.
Power Outages Affect Thousands
The storm also wreaked havoc on the power grid, affecting approximately *29,000 customers* across the ArkLaTex. As the day wore on, around 22,000 of those customers were still without power by noon, with utility crews tirelessly assessing and making repairs. Major outages were noted in Caddo, Natchitoches, Sabine, and Vernon parishes in Louisiana, as well as Bowie, Gregg, and Franklin counties in Texas.
Adding to the challenges, the City of Minden announced an intentional power outage set to begin at 2:00 p.m. The planned outage was necessary due to damage inflicted on a main power line and was supposed to last for about an hour. While the utility company SWEPCO has been actively working on restoration efforts, specific estimated restoration times remain undisclosed for many areas.
Preparing for the Unexpected
As this storm makes its way through, local residents are encouraged to stay prepared for any outages that might continue and to keep checking updates through local news channels and the KTAL Weather Authority App. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, especially when the weather takes a turn like this!
So, Shreveport, hang in there! Stay safe, stay informed, and let’s weather this storm together.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Additional Resources
- Shreveport Times: Severe Weather Threat
- Weather.com: Shreveport Weather
- KSLA: Severe Storms and Power Outages
- KTAL News: Severe Storms and Tornadoes
- The Mirror: Possible Tornado Threat
- Wikipedia: Tornado
- Google Search: Severe Weather Safety Tips
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Severe Storm
Author: STAFF HERE SHREVEPORT WRITER
The SHREVEPORT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREShreveport.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mudbug Madness Festival, Red River Revel Arts Festival, and Independence Bowl. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Shreveport-Bossier Chamber of Commerce and Shreveport Regional Arts Council, plus leading businesses in gaming, healthcare, and energy that power the local economy such as Horseshoe Casino, Ochsner LSU Health, and Atmos Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBatonRouge.com and HERENewOrleans.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
