Severe thunderstorms that developed during the evening of April 3rd across the northern half of northeast Texas, southeast Oklahoma and southwest Arkansas continued into the southern portions of northeast Texas as well as northwest Louisiana in a very unstable atmosphere. These supercell thunderstorms developed into bow echo like appearances due to very strong shear in the lower levels of the atmosphere, producing straight line wind gusts, damaging hail as well as a few tornadoes. Flash flooding was also reported over portions of the region as the storms produced excessive heavy rainfall amounts.

Tornado in WINN, LOUISIANA
From 04-APR-08 09:21:00 to 04-APR-08 09:26:00 (CST-6)
Location: MENEFEE
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An EF1 tornado touched down approximately 8 miles east of Winnfield, Louisiana along State Route 124.  Many large trees were downed across the highway including one on a car injuring the driver.  Numerous large trees were snapped or uprooted along the path of the tornado which crossed T Wells Road south of Hwy 124 along Albritton Road where several large trees were uprooted and snapped across the road and in the adjacent forest.  No homes were damaged from this tornado however several large trees fell next to homes.

Thunderstorm Wind in CALDWELL, LOUISIANA
From 04-APR-08 09:28:00 to 04-APR-08 09:28:00 (CST-6)
Location: COLUMBIA ARPT
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Several trees downed on State Highway 126 which had to be closed.

Thunderstorm Wind in DE SOTO, LOUISIANA
From 04-APR-08 07:54:00 to 04-APR-08 07:54:00 (CST-6)
Location: TRENTON
Magnitude: 53.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Trees were downed across Harts Bluff Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in RED RIVER, LOUISIANA
From 04-APR-08 08:18:00 to 04-APR-08 08:18:00 (CST-6)
Location: COUSHATTA
Magnitude: 54.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Trees down at State Highway 480 and US 71 and all along US 71 south of Coushatta, Louisiana.

Thunderstorm Wind in RED RIVER, LOUISIANA
From 04-APR-08 08:10:00 to 04-APR-08 08:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: CARROLL
Magnitude: 53.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Trees down at State Highway 515 and US Highway 71.

Tornado in WINN, LOUISIANA
From 04-APR-08 09:08:00 to 04-APR-08 09:12:00 (CST-6)
Location: ATLANTA
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An EF1 tornado occurred approximately 3.5 miles west of Atlanta, Louisiana along Gum Springs Road.  A barn was completely destroyed with metal strewn into trees due east of the barn.  One house sustained shingle damage along Gum Springs Road.  Numerous trees were snapped and uprooted along the path of the tornado which ended 3 miles east of Atlanta along State Route 1228 where several large trees were snapped around a small house.  Several trees were also downed in the community of Atlanta including several by the school and church across from the school.

Thunderstorm Wind in WINN, LOUISIANA
From 04-APR-08 09:00:00 to 04-APR-08 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: WINNFIELD
Magnitude: 57.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Widespread trees and powerlines were downed across the entire parish.

Thunderstorm Wind in CALDWELL, LOUISIANA
From 04-APR-08 09:38:00 to 04-APR-08 09:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLARKS
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Numerous trees were downed across the entire parish.  Clarks, Louisiana was one of the worst hit places with trees downed in town.

Thunderstorm Wind in CALDWELL, LOUISIANA
From 04-APR-08 09:43:00 to 04-APR-08 09:43:00 (CST-6)
Location: BLANKSTON
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Numerous trees downed across the northern part of the parish.

Thunderstorm Wind in OUACHITA, LOUISIANA
From 04-APR-08 09:17:00 to 04-APR-08 09:17:00 (CST-6)
Location: FRIZZELL
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 400.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Trees fell across several homes as well as several outbuildings in the town of Swartz, Louisiana.

Lightning in BIENVILLE, LOUISIANA
From 04-APR-08 08:50:00 to 04-APR-08 08:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: PRATT
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Lightning resulted in an explosion at a drilling rig on Highway 9 and Moriah Mountain Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in OUACHITA, LOUISIANA
From 04-APR-08 09:30:00 to 04-APR-08 09:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: BREARD
Magnitude: 54.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trees were downed along U.S. Highway 165 just north on Monroe, Louisiana.

Thunderstorm Wind in JACKSON, LOUISIANA
From 04-APR-08 09:09:00 to 04-APR-08 09:09:00 (CST-6)
Location: CHATHAM
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 300.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

A home and a local church was destroyed by falling trees in town.  A large tree was snapped in front of Moss Home Health in Jonesboro.  In addition...several large trees were downed between the Jonesboro and Hodge communities.  Trees were also downed in front of the Hodge Bank.
Numerous trees were also downed near the Jonesboro area.  Some of the worst damage was on Polk Avenue where a huge oak tree hundreds of years fell and just missed a home in town.  Trees also fell on Hickory Street, Walker Road and Northeast Street.  One home was severly damaged when a tree fell through it.

Thunderstorm Wind in SABINE, LOUISIANA
From 04-APR-08 08:20:00 to 04-APR-08 08:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: PLEASANT HILL
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Trees and power lines were downed near the Pleasant Hill High School.  Trees were also downed near Many High School on Hwy 6 East.  High winds were also reported across the Ebarb community.  A tree fell across a hair salon in Ebarb.  Trees also fell across two vehicles and a boat near Ebarb.  A logging truck was also destroyed when a tree fell across it.

Thunderstorm Wind in JACKSON, LOUISIANA
From 04-APR-08 09:15:00 to 04-APR-08 09:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: CHATHAM
Magnitude: 57.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Numerous trees and powerlines were downed across Chatham, Louisiana and across the entire parish as well.