A shortwave trough diving southeast across Eastern Oklahoma and Western Arkansas in the northwest flow aloft during the evening through the early morning hours of May 7th-8th, enhanced large scale forcing ahead of an attendant cold front, resulting in a complex of showers and thunderstorms to develop near and ahead of the front. This mesoscale convective system, or MCS, quickly shifted southeast into Southeast Oklahoma, Southwest Arkansas, Northeast Texas, and North Louisiana during the early morning hours of May 8th, strengthening as it encountered greater instability and a strong southerly low level jet. This resulted in the development of severe thunderstorms containing damaging winds, triggering numerous reports of wind damage across these areas. In addition, strong surface winds with gusts up to 50 mph ahead of the complex of showers and thunderstorms also downed several trees given the wet antecedent soil moisture conditions in place from above normal rainfall observed since the start of the year. These storms exited North Louisiana shortly after daybreak on the 8th.

Strong Wind in CADDO, LOUISIANA
From 08-MAY-20 01:49:00 to 08-MAY-20 01:49:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 43.00 EG
Property damage: 0.10K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

One inch tree limbs were broken off of trees in East Shreveport.

Thunderstorm Wind in WEBSTER, LOUISIANA
From 08-MAY-20 04:28:00 to 08-MAY-20 04:28:00 (CST-6)
Location: SPRINGHILL
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Trees down on and near Highway 157 in Springhill. Trees were also blown down onto several homes in town.

Thunderstorm Wind in WEBSTER, LOUISIANA
From 08-MAY-20 04:30:00 to 08-MAY-20 04:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: SPRINGHILL ARPT
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Numerous trees and power lines down in the Springhill and Evergreen areas.

Thunderstorm Wind in WEBSTER, LOUISIANA
From 08-MAY-20 04:46:00 to 08-MAY-20 04:46:00 (CST-6)
Location: LETON
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Trees were blown down onto Highway 160 near the Claiborne Parish line.

Thunderstorm Wind in CADDO, LOUISIANA
From 08-MAY-20 04:50:00 to 08-MAY-20 04:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: CONN
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Trees and power lines were downed on Wesley Avenue in the North Highland area of Shreveport.

Thunderstorm Wind in BOSSIER, LOUISIANA
From 08-MAY-20 05:00:00 to 08-MAY-20 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: BLENHEIM
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

A picture was posted to social media of large limbs that were downed in the Shady Grove neighborhood in Bossier City.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLAIBORNE, LOUISIANA
From 08-MAY-20 05:00:00 to 08-MAY-20 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: SPRING LAKE
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Trees were blown down onto Highway 79 in Southwest Claiborne Parish.

Thunderstorm Wind in WEBSTER, LOUISIANA
From 08-MAY-20 05:00:00 to 08-MAY-20 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: MINDEN
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Multiple trees were downed in the city of Minden.

Thunderstorm Wind in WEBSTER, LOUISIANA
From 08-MAY-20 05:01:00 to 08-MAY-20 05:01:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOLLY SPGS
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Trees were blown down onto Highway 79 northeast of Minden.

Thunderstorm Wind in WEBSTER, LOUISIANA
From 08-MAY-20 05:04:00 to 08-MAY-20 05:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: NINE FORKS
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Trees were downed onto Interstate 20 west near Exit 52 (Highway 532), forcing the closure of the interstate.

Thunderstorm Wind in BIENVILLE, LOUISIANA
From 08-MAY-20 05:11:00 to 08-MAY-20 05:11:00 (CST-6)
Location: GIBSLAND
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Trees were blown down onto Highway 80 near Gibsland.

Thunderstorm Wind in BIENVILLE, LOUISIANA
From 08-MAY-20 05:15:00 to 08-MAY-20 05:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: GIBSLAND
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Trees were blown down onto Highway 154 just south of Gibsland.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLAIBORNE, LOUISIANA
From 08-MAY-20 05:15:00 to 08-MAY-20 05:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: HURRICANE
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Trees and power lines were blown down all over Central and Southern Claiborne Parish, including Highway 519 southeast of Athens.

Thunderstorm Wind in JACKSON, LOUISIANA
From 08-MAY-20 05:45:00 to 08-MAY-20 05:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: VERNON
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Trees and power lines were blown down on Highway 146 and Highway 148.

Thunderstorm Wind in JACKSON, LOUISIANA
From 08-MAY-20 05:54:00 to 08-MAY-20 05:54:00 (CST-6)
Location: WOOD JCT
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Trees were blown down onto Highway 34.

Thunderstorm Wind in JACKSON, LOUISIANA
From 08-MAY-20 05:55:00 to 08-MAY-20 05:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: EROS
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Trees were blown down onto power lines on Highway 148 near Eros.

Thunderstorm Wind in CALDWELL, LOUISIANA
From 08-MAY-20 06:20:00 to 08-MAY-20 06:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: RIVERTON
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A tree was blown down onto power lines on Highway 847 near the Riverton community.