A strong upper level trough shifted east into Western Texas and Oklahoma during the early morning hours of April 17th, entering Central Oklahoma and Texas during the afternoon. This trough allowed the dry line to mix east across Central Texas during the afternoon ahead of an associated cold front, while southerly winds increased across the Ark-La-Tex, returning warm, moist, and unstable air back north across much of the region. Large scale forcing increased across East Texas, Southeast Oklahoma, Southwest Arkansas, and North Louisiana during the evening through the early morning hours on the 17th-18th, resulting in showers and thunderstorms becoming more numerous while spreading north northeast across the area. Steep mid level lapse rates and strong wind shear had spread east across the region ahead of the trough and associated cold front, such that scattered strong to severe thunderstorms developed, resulting in damaging winds which downed trees across portions of East Texas along and south of Interstate 20. These storms weakened by daybreak and diminished from west to east on April 18th, as the cold front had pushed through the area returning cooler and drier air into the region.

Thunderstorm Wind in CHEROKEE, TEXAS
From 18-APR-19 01:51:00 to 18-APR-19 01:51:00 (CST-6)
Location: CUNEY
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Trees were downed near the intersection of Highway 175 and 855 in the Cuney community.

Thunderstorm Wind in RUSK, TEXAS
From 18-APR-19 02:35:00 to 18-APR-19 02:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW LONDON
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Trees down on Highway 42 near FM 850 in New London.

Thunderstorm Wind in RUSK, TEXAS
From 18-APR-19 02:41:00 to 18-APR-19 02:41:00 (CST-6)
Location: CRIMCREST
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Trees and power lines were blown down in Henderson.

Thunderstorm Wind in RUSK, TEXAS
From 18-APR-19 03:00:00 to 18-APR-19 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: TATUM
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A tree was blown onto a home and the steeple was blown off of the First United Methodist Church in Tatum.

Thunderstorm Wind in CHEROKEE, TEXAS
From 18-APR-19 02:15:00 to 18-APR-19 02:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: REKLAW
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Multiple trees were blown down across County Road 1201, 1204, and 1205 east of Rusk.

Thunderstorm Wind in CHEROKEE, TEXAS
From 18-APR-19 02:22:00 to 18-APR-19 02:22:00 (CST-6)
Location: STRIKER CREEK RES
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Trees were downed on FM 2274 near Lake Striker.

Thunderstorm Wind in RUSK, TEXAS
From 18-APR-19 02:24:00 to 18-APR-19 02:24:00 (CST-6)
Location: PRICE
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Trees were blown down and structural damage occurred at the Carlisle ISD in the community of Price.

Thunderstorm Wind in SMITH, TEXAS
From 18-APR-19 02:02:00 to 18-APR-19 02:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: PEACEFUL VLY
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Trees were downed at various locations throughout Tyler and Smith County, including the intersection of West Grande Avenue and Old Noonday Road.