New Orleans Tornado Rated High End EF-3

25 Mar 2022, 4:00 am

Tuesday evening, around 7 p.m. local time, the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for Jefferson Parish to the south of New Orleans. A severe thunderstorm was quickly developing and racing to the northeast. About 20 minutes later, the severe thunderstorm intensified as it crossed into the New Orleans, Louisiana metro area.

Incredible footage of the tornado moving through New Orleans, LA just moments ago. Severe storms will still be possible tonight. We are LIVE on WeatherNation to keep you safe and informed. #LAwx #tornado #severeweather pic.twitter.com/X5Pl3BKNPY

— WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) March 23, 2022

National Weather Service crews surveyed the damages and have identified this tornado as an EF-3. The full survey has been completed and the track of the tornado was 11.5 miles long with peak winds of 160 mph, just 6 mph shy of being rated an EF-4.

The National Weather Service in New Orleans shared local NBC affiliate WDSU’s tweet, showing a large and dangerous tornado moving through the city.

Large tornado on the ground in New Orleans! Take shelter now! #lawx #mswx https://t.co/6CJcfdQNJ8

— NWS New Orleans (@NWSNewOrleans) March 23, 2022

Just as quickly as the tornado spun up and moved through the city, it exited to Lake Ponchartrain and to the northeast. By 8 p.m. CT thunderstorms were clearing the city to the east.

7:50 PM NEW ORLEANS- you are CLEARED. The tornado and associated storm have moved to the east. There are still showers around but none are severe at this time.

— NWS New Orleans (@NWSNewOrleans) March 23, 2022

Trees were reportedly knocked down across Interstate 12 in St. Tammany Parish in Louisiana. This tornado was part of a larger complex of thunderstorms that sparked severe winds and tornadoes across the South on Tuesday. This is a view of the devastation that was left behind…

🌪️Tornado damage in New Orleans neighborhood. 😢

Devastating and saddening images have been revealed of the damage a #tornado caused Tuesday evening. This is in Arabi, Louisiana. #LAwx #NOLA #severeweather #weather #twister #destruction #drone pic.twitter.com/2B0ShcFqMQ

— WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) March 23, 2022

The severe thunderstorm threat will continue to move to the east. For the latest forecast click/tap here.

About the author

Taban Sharifi

Taban Sharifi grew up in Southern California between Los Angeles and San Diego. She is a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM) with the American Meteorological Society (AMS). She has a B.S. in Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Environmental Sciences with a minor in Environmental Systems and Society from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Go Bruins! While in school, Taban was a meteorology... Load More intern with NBC LA. There she helped forecast daily weather for the greater Los Angeles region and created a playbook to deploy weather sensors for NBC owned-and-operated stations across the country. Her first on-air job took her to San Angelo, Texas, where she was a morning meteorologist and co-anchor. Working in West Texas gave her knowledge and experience covering severe storms. From there, she moved to Palm Springs, California. People think forecasting in California is sunshine all the time, but with temperatures in the 120’s, wildfires, damaging winds, floodings, and earthquakes, the forecasting kept her very busy! She also worked there as a general assignment reporter and told community stories. Taban is excited for the challenge and opportunity to forecast nationally with WeatherNation. She also looks forward to exploring all that Colorado has to offer!