A powerful storm system took shape across the central United States and clashed with a warm and unstable airmass. An extensive and intense squall line resulted which quickly pushed eastward across the eastern half of the country. Overall, this system produced a large severe weather outbreak and brought widespread wind damage to multiple states across the south, mid south, and southeast United States. Nearly 1500 reports of severe weather were reported, across 15 states, with the vast majority being damaging winds. Wind damage was not the only severe weather event type, large hail and tornadoes were also part of the mix. In terms of total events (severe weather reports), this outbreak is one of the largest in the United States.
Across the National Weather Service Jackson forecast area, numerous reports of down trees and power lines have been reported along with multiple reports of damaged structures. These structures were damaged by either fallen trees or intense winds. Survey teams found 5 tornadoes across the area, two of these were rated EF2. The first strong tornado moved into northwest Catahoula Parish from LaSalle Parish. The other strong tornado occurred across Tensas Parish and tracked to the MS River, crossed the river and dissipated in far northwest Claiborne County. The other three tornadoes were rated EF1. One of these occurred just north of Utica, in Hinds County, another tracked across northern Simpson County near Braxton, and the other across southeast Lincoln and southern Lawrence Counties.

Thunderstorm Wind in EAST CARROLL, LOUISIANA
From 04-APR-11 13:55:00 to 04-APR-11 13:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: GASSOWAY
Magnitude: 54.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A couple of trees were blown down near the intersection of Highway 65 and Highway 585 near Gassoway.

Lightning in FRANKLIN, LOUISIANA
From 04-APR-11 16:45:00 to 04-APR-11 16:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: SWAMPERS
Property damage: 120.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Lightning struck a house along Lovers Lane. It burned the structure to the ground.

Thunderstorm Wind in FRANKLIN, LOUISIANA
From 04-APR-11 14:20:00 to 04-APR-11 14:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: MASON
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Half of a mobile home roof was blown off.

Hail in EAST CARROLL, LOUISIANA
From 04-APR-11 14:20:00 to 04-APR-11 14:27:00 (CST-6)
Location: BOWIE
Magnitude: 1.50 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Walnut sized hail was reported around Lake Providence.

Thunderstorm Wind in CATAHOULA, LOUISIANA
From 04-APR-11 14:20:00 to 04-APR-11 14:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: HARRISONBURG
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A tree was blown down along Highway 124.

Hail in WEST CARROLL, LOUISIANA
From 04-APR-11 13:40:00 to 04-APR-11 13:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: OAK GROVE ROBERTS AR
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Nickel to quarter sized hail was reported around Kilbourne.

Lightning in FRANKLIN, LOUISIANA
From 04-APR-11 16:45:00 to 04-APR-11 16:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: CROWVILLE
Property damage: 70.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Lightning caused a house fire along Longview Road. The house was partially burned.

Thunderstorm Wind in MOREHOUSE, LOUISIANA
From 04-APR-11 10:47:00 to 04-APR-11 10:47:00 (CST-6)
Location: WARDVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Several trees were reported blown down on Highway 425.

Thunderstorm Wind in CATAHOULA, LOUISIANA
From 04-APR-11 14:30:00 to 04-APR-11 14:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: SICILY IS
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Trees and power lines were blown down. One large tree was blown down on a house.

Thunderstorm Wind in FRANKLIN, LOUISIANA
From 04-APR-11 14:40:00 to 04-APR-11 14:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: FT NECESSITY
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A large tree was blown down in the Olive Grove community off Highway 562.

Thunderstorm Wind in MOREHOUSE, LOUISIANA
From 04-APR-11 11:06:00 to 04-APR-11 11:06:00 (CST-6)
Location: BONITA
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Several trees were blown down along Highway 165 between Jones and Bonita.

Tornado in CATAHOULA, LOUISIANA
From 04-APR-11 14:04:00 to 04-APR-11 14:09:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROSEFIELD
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 35.00K
Crop damage: 200.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado touched down roughly 8 miles north of Jena, in north-central LaSalle Parish, and tracked out of LaSalle Parish into far northwest Catahoula Parish. Numerous trees were snapped and uprooted along with some structures damaged across northern LaSalle Parish. Across Catahoula Parish, numerous trees were uprooted and snapped in a convergent pattern and four power poles were snapped. The path length was 5 miles in Catahoula Parish with a total path length of 13 miles. Maximum winds were around 115 mph.

Hail in WEST CARROLL, LOUISIANA
From 04-APR-11 11:35:00 to 04-APR-11 11:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: OAK GROVE ROBERTS AR
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Tornado in TENSAS, LOUISIANA
From 04-APR-11 14:43:00 to 04-APR-11 15:13:00 (CST-6)
Location: COOTER PT
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 4.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado first touched down along Highway 573 just south of Cooter Point. It tracked northeast across Highway 892 and 126 and then crossed Highway 65 a few miles northwest of St. Joseph. The tornado then crossed Lake Bruin and traveled north of that lake before crossing the southern end of Lake St. Joseph. The tornado ended as it touched the eastern bank of the river in Claiborne County, Mississippi. Numerous homes...farms and outbuildings were significantly damaged by the tornado. Much of the damage to the homes was to the roofs with many being blown off. A water treatment plant received major damage and an antebellum home also received significant damage. A grain silo received a huge dent from the tornado and an 18 wheeler was flipped over. Hundreds of trees were snapped and uprooted along the  path and numerous power poles were snapped. One injury was noted northwest of St. Joseph. Maximum winds were around 125 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in RICHLAND, LOUISIANA
From 04-APR-11 14:15:00 to 04-APR-11 14:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: MANGHAM
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 150.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Wheat crops were damaged by high winds in the areas around Archie and Mangham.

Thunderstorm Wind in FRANKLIN, LOUISIANA
From 04-APR-11 14:15:00 to 04-APR-11 14:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: WINNSBORO
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A tree was blown down across Doctor Rogers Road.

Hail in MOREHOUSE, LOUISIANA
From 04-APR-11 13:13:00 to 04-APR-11 13:32:00 (CST-6)
Location: BASTROP MEML ARPT
Magnitude: 1.75 
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A swath of quarter to golf ball sized hail fell from just south of Bastrop, to around Bonita.