A strong cold front moved through the lower Mississippi Valley. Ahead of the front, widespread severe weather moved through Southeast Louisiana and Southern Mississippi during the morning and afternoon hours of February 23rd. A total of 13 tornadoes occurred in Southeast Louisiana and Southern Mississippi, 3 of which were classified as strong.

Tornado in JEFFERSON, LOUISIANA
From 23-FEB-16 11:11:00 to 23-FEB-16 11:13:00 (CST-6)
Location: MOISANT ARPT
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado touched down in Kenner near the intersection of Audubon Ct and 3rd St. It moved toward the northeast causing damage to roofs and power poles. It lifted as it neared the intersection of James St. and Pollock Plaza.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. CHARLES, LOUISIANA
From 23-FEB-16 10:56:00 to 23-FEB-16 10:56:00 (CST-6)
Location: AMA
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

In Ama, straight line winds lifted a patio cover over a house, dropping it in the front yard.

Thunderstorm Wind in ST. CHARLES, LOUISIANA
From 23-FEB-16 10:56:00 to 23-FEB-16 10:56:00 (CST-6)
Location: DES ALLEMANDS
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Straight line wind damage in the Bayou Gauche area consisted of a garage door blown in and damage to a fence on Beau Plaza Blvd.  Vinyl siding damage was also noted on Bayou Rd.

Tornado in ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, LOUISIANA
From 23-FEB-16 16:15:00 to 23-FEB-16 16:17:00 (CST-6)
Location: RUDDOCK
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornadic waterspout spawned from the same parent supercell as the Assumption/St. James tornado moved on shore from Lake Maurepas near Akers. It snapped numerous cyprus trees before moving into Lake Pontchartrain.

Tornado in ST. HELENA, LOUISIANA
From 23-FEB-16 13:14:00 to 23-FEB-16 13:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: MONTPELIER
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A weak tornado touched down near Montpelier and tracked northeast shifting a mobile home off its block piers and damaging the roof.  It also destroyed a metal shed and snapped a few small trees. It lifted near Jackson Lane. Maximum wind speed was estimated near 85 mph.

Tornado in IBERVILLE, LOUISIANA
From 23-FEB-16 11:20:00 to 23-FEB-16 11:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: SAMTOWN
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado caused intermittent damage along its track near White Castle. Damage consisted of peeled back tin roofs, damage to power lines, and large tree branches downed. Maximum wind speeds were estimated near 65 mph.

Tornado in ASCENSION, LOUISIANA
From 23-FEB-16 12:08:00 to 23-FEB-16 12:13:00 (CST-6)
Location: OAK GROVE
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado touched down in the Prairieville area just west of Airline Hwy causing roof damage and knocking down an exterior wall at Gold's Gym. It then crossed Airline Hwy causing additional roof and siding damage to several other businesses. From there the tornado continued northeastward into a residential area causing damage to roofs, sheds, and patios. It lifted as it approached Oak Grove Parkway.

Tornado in IBERVILLE, LOUISIANA
From 23-FEB-16 15:10:00 to 23-FEB-16 15:13:00 (CST-6)
Location: GOLDRIDGE
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A second weak tornado touched down in the White Castle area producing damage consisting of garage doors blown in, some light roof damage, and sheds demolished. Maximum wind speeds were estimated near 80 mph.

Tornado in ASSUMPTION, LOUISIANA
From 23-FEB-16 15:21:00 to 23-FEB-16 15:31:00 (CST-6)
Location: WESTFIELD
Tornado F-scale: EF3
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A strong tornado touched down just southwest of Paincourtville and moved northeast. Near the junction of LA Hwy 1, LA Hwy 308, and LA Hwy 70, there was considerable damage to residential and commercial buildings consistent with an EF-2 to a two story apartment building, hardware store, and commercial business. The tornado reached maximum strength as it moved along LA 1/LA 308, causing major damage to an area of small frame houses and mobile homes. In this area, the 2nd floor of a well-constructed brick home was nearly removed. This damage was consistent with wind speeds near 140 mph, or EF-3. The tornado continued moving to the northeast and crossed into St. James Parish.

Tornado in ST. JAMES, LOUISIANA
From 23-FEB-16 15:31:00 to 23-FEB-16 15:42:00 (CST-6)
Location: UNION
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A strong tornado moved out of Assumption Parish into St James Parish causing significant damage to trees as it approached the Mississippi River. After crossing the river, the tornado moved through the Sugar Hill RV Park where numerous travel trailers were tossed and destroyed. Two fatalities and approximately 75 injuries occurred at the RV park. An EF scale rating of EF-2 was assigned to the damage at and in the vicinity of the RV park. The tornado weakened as it continued northeastward, snapping trees and causing minor property damage. It dissipated as it reached Airline Highway. St. James Parish Emergency Management reported 25 to 50 homes were total losses and a public housing complex had major damage. The tornado's peak intensity of EF-3 occurred in Assumption Parish.

Tornado in ST. TAMMANY, LOUISIANA
From 23-FEB-16 16:41:00 to 23-FEB-16 16:42:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOULTONVILLE
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornadic waterspout spawned from the same parent supercell as the Assumption/St. James and Akers tornadoes moved onshore from Lake Pontchartrain south of Madisonville near the end of Hwy 1077.  It destroyed a metal boat shed and caused minor fascia damage to a bar. Maximum wind speeds were estimated near 65 mph.

Tornado in ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, LOUISIANA
From 23-FEB-16 16:32:00 to 23-FEB-16 16:44:00 (CST-6)
Location: MONTEGUT
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A strong tornado touched down in the LaPace area, just south of Airline Hwy near a church, removing much of its roof covering. It moved northeast through a retail area causing damage consistent with an EF-1 before moving through several densely populated subdivisions. In the Carrollwood subdivision, mostly superficial roof and tree damage was observed. It strengthened as it moved into the Riverland Heights subdivision, moving roughly parallel to Greenwood Drive where many homes suffered roof damage and a few lost portions of the roof structure. It continued intensifying as it moved into the Cambridge area. Here, a few homes and duplexes suffered partial to total loss of roof structure and decking, along with partial collapse of exterior walls consistent with estimated winds around 120 mph.  The tornado was strongest in the Palmetto and Indigo Estates areas. Near the intersection of Nicole and Gail Streets, 2 single story homes suffered complete roof loss as well as total failure of most exterior walls. A third home lost about half of its second floor. Damage in this area was consistent with strong EF-2 winds near 130 mph. The tornado then weakened as it crossed Interstates 10 and 55. It continued to cause tree damage until it reached the intersection of Frenier Rd and US Hwy 51, where it lifted.

Tornado in LIVINGSTON, LOUISIANA
From 23-FEB-16 12:42:00 to 23-FEB-16 12:51:00 (CST-6)
Location: LIVINGSTON
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado touched down in a wooded area between Grantham and McLin Roads southwest of Livingston.  In this area, it snapped trees and caused roof damage consistent with an EF-1. As it moved northeastward, it strengthened and widened. The tornado completely removed the roof structure of one home on Circle Drive and another on West Railroad Street, consistent with an EF-2. The tornado is believed to have been its strongest as it approached North Willow Street. Here, it removed the entire roof structure of a home and collapsed an exterior wall of a home. Maximum wind speeds in this area were estimated to be 125 mph. The tornado then weakened as it moved into a mostly wooded area, but continued to cause damage to trees and a few roofs, lifting as it approached the intersection of North Doyle Road and Edgar Mizell Road.

Tornado in ST. TAMMANY, LOUISIANA
From 23-FEB-16 17:13:00 to 23-FEB-16 17:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: LACOMBE
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornadic waterspout spawned from the same parent supercell as the LaPlace tornado came on shore from Lake Pontchartrain near Lacombe. Due to inaccessibility, the first damage was noted near a plant nursery at Powell Street and Pinchon St where a greenhouse was damaged. The tornado moved northeast across Hwy 190 and into a residential area. In this area, several homes suffered superficial damage to shingles, fascia, and a few broken windows. Some minor tree damage was also observed. Maximum wind speeds were estimated near 80 mph.