A vigorous upper level trough moved out of old Mexico and ejected out in the Oklahoma and Texas Panhandle during the late morning hours of Saturday, December 21st. As the trough began to fill and lift out, it took on a negative tilt which helped to increase lift across the region during the afternoon.  Meanwhile, closer to the surface, the leading edge of a very shallow but cold airmass, in the form of a cold front, was moving across Northeast Texas into Southwest Arkansas.  This put nearly all of Northern Louisiana and South Central Arkansas in a very strongly sheared warm sector.  Low level shear was maximized just ahead of the cold front as it slowly moved east during the afternoon hours.  Deep layer shear was in the order 60kts from the southwest and this resulted in a broken squall line that moved quickly through the region during the afternoon of the 21st.  A tornado also developed along the leading edge of the squall line in Northeast Louisiana with some wind damage reported.  Otherwise, widespread wind damage was observed with mostly straight line winds across much of Northern Louisiana and South Central Arkansas as well as the southern two thirds of Northeast Texas.

Thunderstorm Wind in CALDWELL, LOUISIANA
From 21-DEC-13 16:40:00 to 21-DEC-13 16:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLARKS
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Trees were downed throughout the parish.

Tornado in UNION, LOUISIANA
From 21-DEC-13 15:43:00 to 21-DEC-13 15:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: DOWNSVILLE
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

NWS Storm Survey Team concluded that the damage outside of Downsville, Louisiana on December 21st was consistent with that of an EF1 tornado. Damage consisted of damage to several trees and a barn. The tornado had a path length of just under a mile with a path width of 75 yards. Winds were estimated to be near 90 mph during the height of the storm.

Thunderstorm Wind in LINCOLN, LOUISIANA
From 21-DEC-13 15:42:00 to 21-DEC-13 15:42:00 (CST-6)
Location: CEDARTON
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 1.30M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A NWS Storm Survey Team concluded that the damage in extreme Northeast Lincoln Parish was consistent with straight line wind damage.  A few structures sustained  minor to moderate damage.  One structure in particular, a chicken house Northwest of  Downsville was completely destroyed.  Of the 80000 chickens housed in the shelter, only 50000 survived.

Thunderstorm Wind in OUACHITA, LOUISIANA
From 21-DEC-13 16:12:00 to 21-DEC-13 16:12:00 (CST-6)
Location: CHENIERE
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Numerous trees were downed across the entire parish.

Thunderstorm Wind in OUACHITA, LOUISIANA
From 21-DEC-13 16:16:00 to 21-DEC-13 16:16:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAKESHORE
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Property damage: 2.50M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

NWS conducted a storm survey across Monroe, Louisiana and determined that the damage across the city was consistent with straight line wind damage. Damage was significant across portions of the city.  The worst damage was likely caused to a Books-A-Million store near Hwy. 165.  This entire front facing of the building completely collapsed.  A nearby Wendy's restaurant also suffered moderate damage.  A portion of the roof of the Strauss Theater near the ULM campus was removed. Several homes in Monroe and West Monroe were crushed by fallen trees.  There was also damage reported to the ULM Maintenance Building.

Thunderstorm Wind in UNION, LOUISIANA
From 21-DEC-13 15:45:00 to 21-DEC-13 15:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: FARMERVILLE
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A NWS Damage Survey Team concluded that damage across most of Union Parish was consistent with straight line wind damage.  Numerous trees and powerlines were downed throughout the parish.  The city of Farmerville was hit particularly hard with several structures hit by falling trees.  One large tree was downed on a home doing considerable damage to the home in Farmerville.

Thunderstorm Wind in DE SOTO, LOUISIANA
From 21-DEC-13 14:26:00 to 21-DEC-13 14:26:00 (CST-6)
Location: MANSFIELD
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Several trees were downed in and around the Mansfield, Louisiana community.

Thunderstorm Wind in BIENVILLE, LOUISIANA
From 21-DEC-13 14:55:00 to 21-DEC-13 14:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: GIBSLAND
Magnitude: 54.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A tree was downed across Interstate 20 near Gibsland, Louisiana.

Thunderstorm Wind in SABINE, LOUISIANA
From 21-DEC-13 15:05:00 to 21-DEC-13 15:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: MANY
Magnitude: 58.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Several trees were downed throughout the parish.

Thunderstorm Wind in BIENVILLE, LOUISIANA
From 21-DEC-13 15:00:00 to 21-DEC-13 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: RINGGOLD
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Numerous trees and powerlines were downed in the Ringgold, Louisiana community.

Thunderstorm Wind in RED RIVER, LOUISIANA
From 21-DEC-13 11:32:00 to 21-DEC-13 11:32:00 (CST-6)
Location: COUSHATTA
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

A tree was downed in the town of Coushatta, Louisiana.

Thunderstorm Wind in WEBSTER, LOUISIANA
From 21-DEC-13 12:30:00 to 21-DEC-13 12:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: MINDEN
Magnitude: 53.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trees were downed in and around Minden, Louisiana.

Thunderstorm Wind in DE SOTO, LOUISIANA
From 21-DEC-13 12:38:00 to 21-DEC-13 12:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: NABORTON
Magnitude: 54.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Trees were downed east of Mansfield, Louisiana.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLAIBORNE, LOUISIANA
From 21-DEC-13 12:40:00 to 21-DEC-13 12:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOMER
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Trees were downed throughout the entire parish.

Thunderstorm Wind in UNION, LOUISIANA
From 21-DEC-13 13:46:00 to 21-DEC-13 13:46:00 (CST-6)
Location: BERNICE
Magnitude: 54.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Trees were downed in Bernice, Louisiana.

Thunderstorm Wind in BIENVILLE, LOUISIANA
From 21-DEC-13 13:25:00 to 21-DEC-13 13:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: JAMESTOWN
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Trees were downed east southeast of Ringgold, Louisiana.

Thunderstorm Wind in LINCOLN, LOUISIANA
From 21-DEC-13 13:50:00 to 21-DEC-13 13:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: DUBACH
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Several trees were downed throughout the parish.

Thunderstorm Wind in LINCOLN, LOUISIANA
From 21-DEC-13 15:30:00 to 21-DEC-13 15:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: RUSTON
Magnitude: 64.00 EG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Numerous trees and powerlines were downed throughout the parish.  There were a few reports of trees downed on homes.  A large tree was downed on top of the Bethel Christian School in Ruston, Louisiana.  Another tree fell on top of a truck as it was heading north on La. Hwy. 818 towards U.S. Hwy. 80.  There were no injuries reported.

Thunderstorm Wind in NATCHITOCHES, LOUISIANA
From 21-DEC-13 15:30:00 to 21-DEC-13 15:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: NATCHITOCHES
Magnitude: 57.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Trees and powerlines were downed throughout the parish.

Thunderstorm Wind in JACKSON, LOUISIANA
From 21-DEC-13 15:46:00 to 21-DEC-13 15:46:00 (CST-6)
Location: JONESBORO
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Trees and powerlines were downed throughout the entire parish.

Thunderstorm Wind in GRANT, LOUISIANA
From 21-DEC-13 16:00:00 to 21-DEC-13 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: COLFAX
Magnitude: 54.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Trees were downed across the western portion of the parish.

Thunderstorm Wind in WINN, LOUISIANA
From 21-DEC-13 16:01:00 to 21-DEC-13 16:01:00 (CST-6)
Location: WINNFIELD
Magnitude: 54.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Trees and powerlines were reported down in Winnfield, Louisiana.

Thunderstorm Wind in OUACHITA, LOUISIANA
From 21-DEC-13 16:02:00 to 21-DEC-13 16:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: DREW
Magnitude: 58.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

A tree was downed across Hwy. 151 approximately 5 miles west of West Monroe.