A strong upper level trough moving across the region produced several severe thunderstorms across central Louisiana from the evening hours on March 8 into the early morning hours on March 9. Two supercell thunderstorms produced a total of 3 tornadoes across Rapides Parish, while the repeated development of thunderstorms across eastern Vernon and Rapides Parishes caused widespread flash flooding.

Tornado in RAPIDES, LOUISIANA
From 08-MAR-11 18:47:00 to 08-MAR-11 18:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: MORELAND
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

NWS Storm Survey found a tornado touched down at a farm along Jenkins Road, destroying an RV trailer, two barns, and several pieces of farm equipment. Metal debris was thrown for over 1 mile to the northeast across fields on both sides of US Highway 71.  Several unsecured gazebos were damaged along Highway 71, and a few trees were blown down along Bayou Teche. A house suffered roof and awning damage on Old Baton Rouge Highway, and debris from the home was blown hundreds of yards across farm fields to the northeast. Several more trees were blown down before the tornado ended.

Thunderstorm Wind in RAPIDES, LOUISIANA
From 08-MAR-11 21:50:00 to 08-MAR-11 21:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: BUCKEYE
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An NWS Storm Survey found wind damage in 1 mile long by 1/4 mile wide swath along Highway 28 near the Catahoula Parish border. Several trees were blown down along Highway 28, Bethel Road, and Stock Landing Road. A mobile home suffered minor roof damage on Stock Landing Road.

Flash Flood in VERNON, LOUISIANA
From 08-MAR-11 22:00:00 to 09-MAR-11 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: (POE)FT POLK AAF LEE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

USGS stream gauge at a low water crossing along the west fork of Six Mile Creek indicated water rose to a level of over 2 feet on the roadway, peaking around 12:00 AM on March 9.

Thunderstorm Wind in RAPIDES, LOUISIANA
From 09-MAR-11 01:01:00 to 09-MAR-11 01:01:00 (CST-6)
Location: BOYCE
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A coop observer in Boyce measured a wind gust of 65 mph.

Tornado in RAPIDES, LOUISIANA
From 08-MAR-11 20:57:00 to 08-MAR-11 21:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: (01R)AFB GNRY RNG AL
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 10.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

NWS Storm Survey found an EF1 tornado touched down in Kisatchie National Forest.  Many trees were uprooted and snapped which blocked several forestry roads.

Tornado in RAPIDES, LOUISIANA
From 08-MAR-11 21:30:00 to 08-MAR-11 21:34:00 (CST-6)
Location: LIBUSE
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

NWS Storm Survey found an EF0 tornado began along Highway 3128 south of Libuse before ending northeast of the community. A few trees were blown down along Highway 3128 and in the far eastern portion of the Whispering Pines subdivison. Numerous trees were blown down around a home on Happy Acres Drive, with one tree falling onto and destroying an outbuilding. More trees were blown down along Philadelphia Road. Crossing Highway 28, the tornado blew down several more trees, with one falling onto and crushing a mobile home. An awning on a nearby home was also destroyed. More trees were blown down on Libuse Cutoff Road before the tornado lifted.

Flash Flood in RAPIDES, LOUISIANA
From 08-MAR-11 19:00:00 to 09-MAR-11 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: SIEPER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 200.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Rainfall totals of 5 to 8 inches resulted in widespread flash flooding in a swath from southwest to northeast across Rapides Parish, including the Alexandria area. An unknown but significant number of homes flooded. Dozens of cars reportedly stalled in the flood waters, especially in underpasses beneath Interstate 49 in Alexandria. Numerous roads were closed due to flooding in and east of Alexandria, including Madeline Drive, Jackson Street, MacArthur Drive, Plantation Drive, Bohannon Road, Shirley Park Place, Simmons Street, and Mohon Street. Rapides Parish Sheriff Officers had to use boats to reach residents in the Philadelphia community on Grandpa Road due to flooding.
Rainfall totals included 7.61 inches at the Rapides Parish 911 Center located 5 miles south-southeast of Alexandria, 7.72 inches from the coop observer located 2 miles southwest of Elmer, and 7.57 inches from a tv meteorologist located 7 miles east of Alexandria.

Hail in RAPIDES, LOUISIANA
From 08-MAR-11 21:27:00 to 08-MAR-11 21:27:00 (CST-6)
Location: ALEXANDRIA
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The public reported nickel size hail on the southeast side of Alexandria.