A strong upper level storm system moved its way out of the southern Great Basin and into the Southern Plains during the afternoon hours of December 23rd. Strong southerly flow was found ahead of this storm system with dewpoint temperatures in the lower to middle 60s noted northward to the Interstate 20 corridor of northeast Texas and northern Louisiana. Impressive deep layer shear was noted in the warm sector across the region which was conducive for discrete storm cells during the afternoon and evening across northeast Texas. These storms spawned tornadoes and produced large hail across portions of northeast Texas. The storm system moved eastward during the predawn hours of December 24th with again, numerous storms producing tornadoes across southern Arkansas and northern Louisiana. In addition to all the storm damage...these storms were prolific rain makers with numerous reports of flash flooding across the region as well.

Tornado in SABINE, TEXAS
From 24-DEC-09 02:10:00 to 24-DEC-09 02:12:00 (CST-6)
Location: PINELAND
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Several trees were snapped and uprooted along FM 2426 east of Pineland, Texas.  Numerous powerlines were also downed along both sides of the road.  The tornado tracked north and crossed Hwy. 83 northeast of Pineland, snapping and uprooting several trees before lifting. Maximum winds are estimated at 70-75 mph.

Tornado in RUSK, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-09 19:16:00 to 23-DEC-09 19:17:00 (CST-6)
Location: PLEASANT GROVE
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Several trees were uprooted and snapped along CR 4188.

Tornado in CHEROKEE, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-09 15:04:00 to 23-DEC-09 15:09:00 (CST-6)
Location: HENRYS CHAPEL
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An EF0 tornado touched down one mile southeast of Barrons Lake on CR 4619 just north of FM13. A couple of trees were downed and a few with large branches broken. The tornado tracked northeast where more tree damage was observed on CR 4621 just west of Cherokee/Rusk County line. The tornado lifted after this point ending at 3:10 PM.

Tornado in CHEROKEE, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-09 14:35:00 to 23-DEC-09 14:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: TECULA
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An EF0 tornado touched down one mile northeast of Jacksonville Club Lake on the east end of CR 4218. One downed tree was observed with a few trees topped with large branches broken. The tornado tracked east northeast where more tree damage was
observed on CR 4222 and south of CR 4223. The tornado lifted after this point ending at 2:40 PM.

Tornado in HARRISON, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-09 16:39:00 to 23-DEC-09 16:56:00 (CST-6)
Location: LONGVIEW HGTS
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 1.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An EF2 tornado touched down on the East side of Longview, just west of the intersections of E Cotton Street. and Industrial Drive. The tornado then tracked north northeast causing damage to several industrial buildings along Industrial Drive, it crossed Industrial Drive just south of Hwy. 80 causing significant damage to the Fed Ex building and other surrounding industrial businesses. The tornado then crossed Hwy. 80, causing significant tree and roof damage to several homes in a residential neighborhood. The track continued north northeast as the tornado crossed Loop 281 just south of Page Road. The tornado caused major roof damage to a home on Page Road before continuing northward. The storm continued to cause tree and roof damage in a residential area before crossing Peter Bonner Road near Sandy Lane. More tree and roof damage was observed as the storm tracked into a rural area, ending south of FM 449 on Keasler Road around 4:56 PM.

Tornado in SABINE, TEXAS
From 24-DEC-09 03:28:00 to 24-DEC-09 03:29:00 (CST-6)
Location: FAIRMOUNT
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Numerous trees were snapped and uprooted along Lakeshore Drive east of the town of Fairmont, Texas. Several powerlines were also downed on either side of Toledo Beach Drive.  Maximum winds are estimated at 65-70 mph.

Tornado in NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-09 22:37:00 to 23-DEC-09 22:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: FITZE
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An EF1 tornado touched down on FM 95 just north of CR 289.  Several trees were downed and snapped, and a small storage building was destroyed. The tornado tracked north a half mile then dissipated.

Tornado in CASS, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-09 17:51:00 to 23-DEC-09 17:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: AVINGER
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado touched down in a wooded area along County Road 1617 in southern Cass County, approximately 3 miles southeast of the community of Avinger.  Low-end EF1 damage was noted as the small tornado traveled north-northeast, snapping and uprooting several pine and oak trees.  In addition, numerous small branches were also blown down before the tornado lifted, still in a wooded area, approximately 50 yards from its touchdown point.

Hail in CHEROKEE, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-09 14:03:00 to 23-DEC-09 14:03:00 (CST-6)
Location: RUSK
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Tornado in SHELBY, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-09 23:26:00 to 23-DEC-09 23:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: MELDRUM
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Several homes and metal outbuildings were damaged closer to the Timpson, Texas area.  A travel trailer and barn was completely destroyed.  Numerous trees snapped along the path as well.  This tornado continued into southern Panola County, Texas.

Tornado in PANOLA, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-09 23:35:00 to 23-DEC-09 23:49:00 (CST-6)
Location: GARY
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado was a continuation from northern Shelby, County, near Timpson, Texas.  This tornado continued into southern Panola, County where it downed and snapped numerous trees.

Flash Flood in BOWIE, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-09 20:10:00 to 23-DEC-09 23:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: EYLAU
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Flooding was reported on US 59 and Gun Club Road southwest of Texarkana, Texas.

Flash Flood in CASS, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-09 21:06:00 to 23-DEC-09 23:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: ATLANTA MUNI ARPT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Flooding on Main Street resulted in cars being washed over into sidewalks.

Flash Flood in SABINE, TEXAS
From 24-DEC-09 06:03:00 to 24-DEC-09 09:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: BRONSON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Water was reported to be knee deep on FM 2856 near the town of Bronson, Texas.

Tornado in CASS, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-09 22:10:00 to 23-DEC-09 22:14:00 (CST-6)
Location: HUFFINS
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Tornado damage consisted of numerous trees downed along the path.  This tornado continued into Miller County, Arkansas.

Flash Flood in CASS, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-09 19:54:00 to 23-DEC-09 23:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: AVINGER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Very heavy rainfall resulted in numerous road closures across the entire county.

Flash Flood in CASS, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-09 20:10:00 to 23-DEC-09 23:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: LINDEN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Flooding was reported on Hwy. 125 southeast of Linden, Texas, resulting in a road closure.

Flash Flood in PANOLA, TEXAS
From 24-DEC-09 00:04:00 to 24-DEC-09 03:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: CARTHAGE CO ARPT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Heavy rainfall resulted in very high water reported on Hwy. 79 east of Carthage, Texas.

Flash Flood in SAN AUGUSTINE, TEXAS
From 24-DEC-09 01:20:00 to 24-DEC-09 03:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: BROADDUS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Flooding was reported at the intersection of Hwy. 103 and FM 1277.

Hail in CHEROKEE, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-09 14:20:00 to 23-DEC-09 14:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: MAYDELLE
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Flash Flood in SABINE, TEXAS
From 24-DEC-09 06:03:00 to 24-DEC-09 09:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: PINELAND
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Numerous city streets were underwater in Pineland, Texas.

Thunderstorm Wind in SABINE, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-09 13:54:00 to 23-DEC-09 13:54:00 (CST-6)
Location: HEMPHILL
Magnitude: 53.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Trees were downed at Hwy. 2024 and Tatum Road.

Hail in RED RIVER, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-09 15:42:00 to 23-DEC-09 15:42:00 (CST-6)
Location: BOGATA
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Tornado in ANGELINA, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-09 21:56:00 to 23-DEC-09 22:07:00 (CST-6)
Location: LUFKIN
Tornado F-scale: EF3
Property damage: 10.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An EF3 tornado touched down on the south side of Lufkin, on Loop 287 near Olive Garden just west of the intersections Loop 287 and South Chestnut Street. The tornado then tracked north northeast causing roof and tree damage to several homes behind Morgan Insurance Company on Loop 287. The tornado continued its north northeastward track then crossed South Chestnut causing major damage
to Gibson Funeral Home. It then tracked northward through a residential neighborhood causing more tree and roof damage, before destroying Max Welding Shop on Denman Rd. The tornado crossed Denman Road moving through another residential area causing moderate to major tree and roof damage. The tornado then destroyed the VFW building just before crossing Lufkin Avenue. More residential damage was observed between Lufkin Avenue and Atkinson Drive. The tornado crossed Atkinson Drive causing major damage by tossing several 18-wheelers parked at a trucking
company on Loop 287. The tornado then crossed Loop 287, damaging Goodyear Tires and Jim Walter Homes. The storm then tracked north into a wooded area before reaching Kit McConnico Park and causing moderate to major damage to the park. The
tornado lifted on the northern end of Kit McConnico Park around 10:07 PM.