The first day in a three-day series of widespread severe weather across southwest Louisiana began when a squall line of severe thunderstorms developed across central Texas during the evening hours on 3/25/09. The squall line moved rapidly eastward across Southeast Texas and Louisiana during the late evening hours on 3/25/09 and early morning hours of 3/26/09. The resulting widespread severe winds, with embedded intense microbursts, caused hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage throughout Southwest Louisiana.

Hail in CALCASIEU, LOUISIANA
From 25-MAR-09 21:45:00 to 25-MAR-09 21:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: SULPHUR
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Quarter size hail was reported in Sulphur by KPLC-TV.

Hail in CALCASIEU, LOUISIANA
From 25-MAR-09 21:50:00 to 25-MAR-09 21:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: VINCENT
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Quarter size hail was reported in Carlyss by KPLC-TV.

Hail in ST. MARY, LOUISIANA
From 26-MAR-09 01:10:00 to 26-MAR-09 01:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: FRANKLIN
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Franklin Police Department received several reports of golf ball size hail in Franklin.

Thunderstorm Wind in BEAUREGARD, LOUISIANA
From 25-MAR-09 21:20:00 to 25-MAR-09 21:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: RAGLEY
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Numerous trees were blown down in Ragley as reported by the Beauregard Parish Sheriff Office.

Thunderstorm Wind in ALLEN, LOUISIANA
From 25-MAR-09 21:57:00 to 25-MAR-09 21:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: BOND
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

NWS Storm Survey found microburst wind damage in the Hampton community along Cottongin Castor Road around the intersection with Highway 104.  Numerous large trees were uprooted with one falling on a house.  A mobile home had its roof blown off.  All damage was in a WNW to ESE direction with winds estimated around 70 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in EVANGELINE, LOUISIANA
From 25-MAR-09 22:11:00 to 25-MAR-09 22:18:00 (CST-6)
Location: MAMOU
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

NWS Storm Survey found microburst wind damage along a 3 mile long path from 3 miles WSW of Mamou to 2 miles SSW of Mamou.  Along Highway 104 near LD Verette Road several homes received minor damage and outbuildings were blown over.  Numerous trees and power lines were blown down.  Along Highway 13 south of Mamou, two power poles were snapped and several others were blown down.  All damage was in a NW to SE direction with estimated winds around 80 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in CAMERON, LOUISIANA
From 25-MAR-09 22:05:00 to 25-MAR-09 22:08:00 (CST-6)
Location: GRAND LAKE
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

NWS Storm Survey confirms microburst wind damage in subdivisions along and south of Cal Cam Line Road.  Several metal storage buildings were blown over and destroyed.  A metal carport was blown off a home with debris landing on a boat and in yard of residence.  Numerous mobile homes had skirting ripped off.  All damage was in a W to E direction with estimated winds around 70 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in CALCASIEU, LOUISIANA
From 25-MAR-09 21:55:00 to 25-MAR-09 21:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: (LCH)LK CHARLES MUNI
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

NWS Storm Survey found several trees blown down in the southern sections of Lake Charles, stretching from around the intersection of Nelson Road and Ham Reid Road to near the intersection of Gauthier Road and Tom Hebert Road.  All trees were blown down in a NW to SE direction with estimated winds around 60 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in CAMERON, LOUISIANA
From 25-MAR-09 22:33:00 to 25-MAR-09 22:33:00 (CST-6)
Location: GRAND LAKE LAKE
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: RAWS

A 60 mph wind gust was measured by the Lacassine RAWS Mesonet Station.

Thunderstorm Wind in CALCASIEU, LOUISIANA
From 25-MAR-09 21:56:00 to 25-MAR-09 21:56:00 (CST-6)
Location: (LCH)LK CHARLES MUNI
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A 60.4 mph wind gust was measured at the Lake Charles Ag Center Mesonet Station.

Thunderstorm Wind in ALLEN, LOUISIANA
From 25-MAR-09 21:47:00 to 25-MAR-09 21:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: OBERLIN
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The public reported several trees were blown down in Oberlin with minor roof damage to a few buildings.

Thunderstorm Wind in BEAUREGARD, LOUISIANA
From 25-MAR-09 21:12:00 to 25-MAR-09 21:13:00 (CST-6)
Location: KERNAN
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

NWS Storm Survey found microburst wind damage along Highway 12 west of the Kernan community.  Numerous trees were blown down from NW to SE in a narrow swath.

Thunderstorm Wind in CALCASIEU, LOUISIANA
From 25-MAR-09 21:14:00 to 25-MAR-09 21:16:00 (CST-6)
Location: BUHLER
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

NWS Storm Survey found microburst wind damage in the Buhler community along Bankens Road between Highway 27 to Shearing Road.  A 50 foot tall radio tower at a gas plant was toppled and several mobile homes had damage to skirting and siding.  Numerous trees and power lines were blown down.  All damage was in a NW to SE direction with winds estimated around 70 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in VERNON, LOUISIANA
From 25-MAR-09 21:05:00 to 25-MAR-09 21:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: KNIGHT
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Trees were blown down on Harvey Crossing Road northwest of De Ridder in southern Vernon Parish.  Reported by KPLC-TV.

Thunderstorm Wind in CALCASIEU, LOUISIANA
From 25-MAR-09 21:05:00 to 25-MAR-09 21:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: DE QUINCY ARPT
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

NWS Storm Survey found significant wind damage from a microburst across Dequincy.  One downtown building had its roof blown off and windows were blown out of another downtown building.  A trailer housing an insurance company on East 4th Street also had its roof blown off.  Several other homes and buildings received minor damage to roofs and siding across town. Numerous large trees and power lines were uprooted or snapped, especially in a swath from the downtown area southward to the intersection of the Kansas City Southern railroad tracks and South Grand Avenue.  All damage was in a NNW to SSE direction with winds estimated around 80 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in CALCASIEU, LOUISIANA
From 25-MAR-09 21:40:00 to 25-MAR-09 21:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: GILLIS
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

One tree was blown down along Highway 171, 0.5 miles NNW of Gillis.

Thunderstorm Wind in BEAUREGARD, LOUISIANA
From 25-MAR-09 21:20:00 to 25-MAR-09 21:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: SUGARTOWN
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A carport was blown into a roadway reported by the Beauregard Parish Sheriff Office.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. LANDRY, LOUISIANA
From 25-MAR-09 22:37:00 to 25-MAR-09 22:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: OPELOUSAS
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Numerous trees and power lines were blown down throughout St. Landry Parish as reported by the Sheriff Office in Opelousas.

Thunderstorm Wind in LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA
From 25-MAR-09 23:10:00 to 25-MAR-09 23:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: DUSON
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Lafayette Parish Sheriff Office received a report of a tree down in the 6900 block of Landry Road in Duson.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. MARTIN, LOUISIANA
From 25-MAR-09 23:33:00 to 25-MAR-09 23:33:00 (CST-6)
Location: ATCHAFALAYA
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

St. Marin Sheriff Office received a report of a tree and power line down on the Atchafalaya River Highway.

Thunderstorm Wind in LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA
From 25-MAR-09 23:15:00 to 25-MAR-09 23:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: YOUNGSVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 4.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The public reported a metal patio was blown off and a barn door blown out on Millcreek Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. LANDRY, LOUISIANA
From 25-MAR-09 22:52:00 to 25-MAR-09 22:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: PORT BARRE
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

The Opelousas Daily World newspaper reported the public measured a 62.8 mph wind gust with a Davis Wind Anemometer in Port Barre.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. LANDRY, LOUISIANA
From 25-MAR-09 22:49:00 to 25-MAR-09 22:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: PORT BARRE
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 75.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

NWS Storm Survey found microburst wind damage on the north end of Mila Road near the Kings Truck Stop on Highway 190 west of Port Barre. One mobile home was blown off its cinder blocks and completely destroyed.  Another mobile home was also knocked off its cinder blocks and had the roof partially blown off. Debris from both mobile homes blew into a third mobile home causing severe damage to its siding and roof. Two nearby outbuildings were blown over and damaged.  All debris was blown from SW to NE with estimated winds around 80 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in EVANGELINE, LOUISIANA
From 25-MAR-09 22:15:00 to 25-MAR-09 22:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: MAMOU
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

NWS Storm Survey found microburst wind damage across Mamou, with the worst damage in the northeastern half of town. A roof was blown off a medical building on the west side of Country Club Lane. Debris from the building was thrown across the road and struck the Savoy Hospital, breaking numerous windows on the third floor and damaging several vehicles in the parking lot. Several homes received damage to roofs and siding, with the patio of one home collapsing.  Numerous large trees and power lines were blown down, with some power poles being snapped off near the ballpark. Power was knocked out to the entire town for nearly 24 hours. All damage was in a NW to SE direction with estimated winds around 80 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. LANDRY, LOUISIANA
From 25-MAR-09 22:43:00 to 25-MAR-09 22:43:00 (CST-6)
Location: NUBA
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Opelousas Daily World newspaper reported several power poles blown down on Compress Road just north of Opelousas.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. MARY, LOUISIANA
From 26-MAR-09 01:08:00 to 26-MAR-09 01:08:00 (CST-6)
Location: FRANKLIN
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

The Franklin Banner-Tribune newspaper reported numerous trees and power lines down across the city of Franklin, including on Mitchell Street, Iberia Street, and Sterling Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in AVOYELLES, LOUISIANA
From 25-MAR-09 22:30:00 to 25-MAR-09 22:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: BORDELONVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

The Bordelonville Fire Department Chief reported trees blown down just east of town.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. MARY, LOUISIANA
From 26-MAR-09 01:05:00 to 26-MAR-09 01:09:00 (CST-6)
Location: STERLING JCT
Magnitude: 78.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Franklin Police Department and local media reported microburst wind damage along Northwest Boulevard from near Highway 90 to around Yokely Road.  At a truck stop near Highway 90, a tractor trailer was blown over and awnings over the fuel pumps were damaged.  The rear portion of a restaurant was destroyed with debris thrown across nearby fields.  Thirteen utility poles were blown down and a large shed was demolished along Yokely Road.  All damage was in a SW to NE direction with estimated winds around 90 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in CALCASIEU, LOUISIANA
From 25-MAR-09 21:42:00 to 25-MAR-09 21:42:00 (CST-6)
Location: MOSS BLUFF
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The public reported several trees blown down and damaged in Moss Bluff.

Thunderstorm Wind in ACADIA, LOUISIANA
From 25-MAR-09 22:55:00 to 25-MAR-09 22:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: RAYNE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

The Rayne Acadian Tribune newspaper reported that the Rayne Volunteer Fire Department Training Facility on West Lessley Street was blown three feet off its pilings, with one wall being knocked down.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. LANDRY, LOUISIANA
From 25-MAR-09 22:27:00 to 25-MAR-09 22:32:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAWTELL
Magnitude: 83.00 EG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

NWS Storm Survey found major microburst wind damage from 2.5 miles NNW of Lawtell to 2 miles N of Lawtell.  Along Prairie Ronde Highway, several trees and power lines were blown down between Chanteberry Road and Raphael Road.  A convenience store at the intersection of Prairie Ronde Highway and Fontenot Road has its roof partially ripped off with debris blown across the highway into a residence.  All damage in this area was in a W to E direction with estimated winds around 65 mph.
Further east along Bertrand Road, one tied down mobile home was flipped upside down onto several vehicles and destroyed. Debris from the mobile home was blown up to 200 yards away across a field. A large barn adjacent to the mobile home suffered major roof damage. Another nearby mobile home had its roof completely blown off. Other mobile homes in the area received minor to moderate damage, and several outbuildings were damaged or destroyed.  Numerous trees and power lines were blown down throughout the area.  All damage was in a WSW to ENE direction with estimated winds up to 95 mph.