Warm, moist, and unstable air surged north into East Texas, North Louisiana, and Southern Arkansas during the evening through the early morning hours of April 11th-12th, along a warm front that lifted north across much of East Texas into North Louisiana. Meanwhile, a strong upper level low opened up into a trough as it entered the Southern Plains during the evening of the 11th, with large scale forcing ahead of the trough enhancing shower and thunderstorm development across much of West-central, Central, East and Southeast Texas during the evening through the early morning hours. Given the extent of shear, instability, and upper level forcing in place across the warm sector, numerous showers and thunderstorms developed over these areas, which quickly spread east northeast into East Texas around and shortly after daybreak on the 12th, and into North Louisiana during the mid and late morning hours. Some of these storms were severe, producing numerous reports of damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes. In all, nine tornadoes touched down across North Louisiana, including two EF-3 tornadoes with estimated maximum winds near 140 mph which tore through the southern sections of West Monroe through Central and Eastern Monroe, as well as just southwest of Sterlington in Northern Ouachita Parish.
While there was a lull in the thunderstorms during much of the afternoon, additional strong to severe thunderstorms developed across portions of Northeast Texas well behind the dry line which had mixed east to near Texarkana into Western Louisiana, and near the center of the upper level trough. Steep lapse rates aloft and the drier low level air mass contributed to areas of damaging winds and isolated instances of large hail, with the majority of the wind damage from a collapsing thunderstorm which originated just east of Dallas, and quickly moved east along the I-20 corridor in East Texas into Western Louisiana. Aided by strong pressure rises behind an associated cold front, a large swath of damaging winds were noted with the severe gust front, with gusts ranging from 50-70 mph well ahead of the collapsed storm. This resulted in numerous reports of downed trees and power lines across East Texas and Western Louisiana, with AEP Swepco noting that over 64,000 customers were without power at one time in the aftermath of the storms. These damaging winds diminished across Western Louisiana by mid-evening.

Hail in OUACHITA, LOUISIANA
From 12-APR-20 07:20:00 to 12-APR-20 07:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: LUNA
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Half dollar size hail fell in the community of Luna.

Hail in OUACHITA, LOUISIANA
From 12-APR-20 07:29:00 to 12-APR-20 07:29:00 (CST-6)
Location: MA SIDING
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Quarter size hail fell in South Monroe.

Hail in OUACHITA, LOUISIANA
From 12-APR-20 07:30:00 to 12-APR-20 07:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: PINE GROVE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Penny size hail fell just northeast of Richwood.

Thunderstorm Wind in BOSSIER, LOUISIANA
From 12-APR-20 08:52:00 to 12-APR-20 08:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: BLENHEIM
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A large tree fell onto a home in the Shady Grove neighborhood.

Tornado in DE SOTO, LOUISIANA
From 12-APR-20 08:41:00 to 12-APR-20 08:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: REEDS STORE
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 1.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An EF-2 tornado with estimated maximum winds around 125 mph touched down along Adams Road and downed hundreds of trees as it crossed Simpton Road, Myrtle Hill Road, and Willie X Road. Along Willie X Road, it damaged the shingles of three single family homes and a church. As the tornado crossed Highway 5, it strengthened and completely destroyed three single wide manufactured homes, ripped the roof off and collapsed the walls of two homes, shifted a portion of a home off its foundation while ripping its roof off, and then damaged an exterior wall and a carport in addition to ripping portions of the roof off of a fourth home. One of the manufactured homes destroyed had five residents inside when the tornado struck, and all five survived, with only one of the five injured while the others only experienced minor bumps and bruises. The tornado went on to destroy the fourth single wide manufactured home and damage the roofs of two additional homes along Fuller Lane. The tornado continued to snap and uproot several trees just off of Scott Road and damaged shingles to homes off of Pin Oak Flat Road and Berry Lane. The tornado went on to uproot and snap trees as it crossed Highway 175 and Interstate 49 just south of the Frierson exit. After downing additional trees, the tornado lifted near Friendship Road.

Tornado in BOSSIER, LOUISIANA
From 12-APR-20 08:52:00 to 12-APR-20 08:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: BENTON
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An EF-1 tornado with estimated maximum winds near 105 mph touched down near Caddo Avenue south of 5th Street in the town of Benton. After initially touching down as an EF-0, this tornado strengthened as it crossed 5th Street between Sibley and Bossier Streets, before lifting east of Pine Street. Several buildings in town had roof damage, the feed store had its flat roof covering removed, and a single family home had a large porch dislodged with portions of its roof removed from the residence. The bay doors at Fire Station District 4 were also blown in.

Tornado in DE SOTO, LOUISIANA
From 12-APR-20 08:57:00 to 12-APR-20 09:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: CARMEL
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An EF-1 tornado with estimated maximum winds near 110 mph touched down near Red Lick Road, where it snapped large limbs and uprooted several hardwood and softwood trees. The tornado then weakened as it continued to snap limbs before crossing over the International Paper Mill. The tornado re-strengthened and widened to nearly 300 yards as it snapped and uprooted hundreds of trees before crossing Bayou Pierre into Northwest Red River Parish.

Tornado in RED RIVER, LOUISIANA
From 12-APR-20 09:02:00 to 12-APR-20 09:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: WESTDALE
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This is a continuation of the Desoto Parish EF-1 tornado. This tornado, with estimated maximum winds near 110 mph, remained at its strongest and widest as it crossed Bayou Pierre, snapping and uprooting numerous trees as it tracked northeast over mostly open farmland. The tornado lifted shortly after crossing Yearwood Road. The total path length of this tornado from Desoto Parish through Northwest Red River Parish was 6.65 miles.

Thunderstorm Wind in BOSSIER, LOUISIANA
From 12-APR-20 09:05:00 to 12-APR-20 09:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: KORAN
Magnitude: 74.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A large tree was snapped and fell onto a home on Spring Branch Road near Lake Bistineau. A porch structure was also blown off of a residence on Spring Branch Road. Multiple other trees were blown down along Spring Ranch and Teague Roads.

Tornado in WEBSTER, LOUISIANA
From 12-APR-20 09:10:00 to 12-APR-20 09:18:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAKE BISTINEAU NORTH
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An EF-1 tornado with estimated maximum winds near 105 mph touched down west of Gorton Road and north of Highway 163 on the southwest shore of Lake Bistineau in Southwest Webster Parish, where it uprooted and snapped multiple trees as it crossed the lake near Moss Point Loop Road. The tornado lifted part of the roof off of a single family home near the intersection of Diamond and Webster Roads as it continued to track northeast. It continued to uproot and snap numerous trees as it moved along Woodmill Road before dissipating after crossing Highway 371 north of Woodmill Road just west of Heflin. Several homes suffered roof damage and a small metal storage building was relocated several yards away from its foundation.

Thunderstorm Wind in WEBSTER, LOUISIANA
From 12-APR-20 09:09:00 to 12-APR-20 09:09:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAKE BISTINEAU NORTH
Magnitude: 78.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Numerous trees were snapped by straight line winds along Plum Orchard Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in WEBSTER, LOUISIANA
From 12-APR-20 09:19:00 to 12-APR-20 09:19:00 (CST-6)
Location: OGDEN
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A tree was blown onto a home on North Main Street in Heflin. Another tree also fell through a home in Heflin.

Tornado in BIENVILLE, LOUISIANA
From 12-APR-20 09:30:00 to 12-APR-20 09:31:00 (CST-6)
Location: GUYNES
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An EF-1 tornado with estimated maximum winds near 105 mph briefly touched down just north of the Bienville/Natchitoches Parish line along Foster Arbor Road, and tracked northeast for nearly 2 miles, crossing Highway 153, New Ramah Road, Cloud Road, and Thompson Road. This tornado snapped and uprooted trees along its path, but a few structures did sustain minor roof damage from the wind, but not from falling branches or trees. The most considerable damage occurred as the tornado crossed Thompson Road, where numerous large pine trees had their trunks snapped. Radar data suggested the tornado likely continued on for another mile or two east of Thompson Road, but there was no access to those areas for the survey team to confirm.

Tornado in BIENVILLE, LOUISIANA
From 12-APR-20 09:39:00 to 12-APR-20 09:44:00 (CST-6)
Location: ARCADIA
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 200.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An EF-1 tornado with estimated maximum winds near 110 mph touched down just west of the city of Arcadia, near Highway 9 south of Interstate 20. The tornado moved to the east-northeast uprooting and snapping trees and power lines. It completely destroyed a small outbuilding on Sapp Street west of Smith Avenue, and a single family home lost about 20% of its metal roof in this area as well. A mobile home was rolled off of its foundation along Crawford Road south of I-20. As the tornado crossed the interstate, it uprooted several trees before dissipating just north of I-20.

Tornado in OUACHITA, LOUISIANA
From 12-APR-20 10:39:00 to 12-APR-20 10:43:00 (CST-6)
Location: PHILLIPS
Tornado F-scale: EF3
Property damage: 750.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An EF-3 tornado with estimated maximum winds near 140 mph touched down in a forested area near Horseshoe Lake Road, uprooting hundreds of trees. Winds increased and tree damage became more widespread as trees were uprooted and snapped, and several trees were debarked in a forested area before the tornado reached End of Line Road. This widespread tree damage was confirmed from drone video from the Ouachita Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (OHSEP) and photos from the University of Louisiana Monroe. This forested area is where the tornado is believed to be strongest based on tree damage and radar imagery, but there were not sufficient damage indicators available to rate winds any higher than 140 mph (EF-3).
After passing through the forested area, the tornado ripped the roof off of two single family homes and destroyed an outbuilding along End of Line Road. It then damaged shingles from approximately ten houses as it tracked along Lonewa Lane and Rose Plantation Lane. Along Lonewa Lane, the tornado snapped four concrete poles (also indicative of EF-3 damage) before lifting just before it crossed Keystone Road about 1/2 mile northwest of Sterlington High School.

Thunderstorm Wind in OUACHITA, LOUISIANA
From 12-APR-20 10:46:00 to 12-APR-20 10:46:00 (CST-6)
Location: (MLU)MONROE RGNL ARP
Magnitude: 60.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

A 69 mph wind gust was recorded at the Monroe Regional Airport (KMLU) as the EF-3 Monroe tornado was lifting near the runway.

Thunderstorm Wind in OUACHITA, LOUISIANA
From 12-APR-20 10:46:00 to 12-APR-20 10:46:00 (CST-6)
Location: FRIZZELL
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Numerous large limbs were downed in Swartz. Roof and structural damage were reported in Swartz as well.

Hail in CADDO, LOUISIANA
From 12-APR-20 11:53:00 to 12-APR-20 11:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: STAPLES
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Penny size hail fell in the Deepwoods subdivision in South Shreveport.

Tornado in OUACHITA, LOUISIANA
From 12-APR-20 10:46:00 to 12-APR-20 10:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: FAIRBANKS
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An EF-1 tornado with estimated maximum winds near 105 mph briefly touched down in the Fairbanks community along the corner of John Turner Road and Highway 134. It continued on to cross Highway 134 again and Curtis Road before lifting. Approximately 30 trees were uprooted and snapped in a convergent pattern along its path.

Thunderstorm Wind in CADDO, LOUISIANA
From 12-APR-20 19:10:00 to 12-APR-20 19:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: STAPLES
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

A 60 mph wind gust was estimated in the Deepwoods subdivision in South Shreveport.

Thunderstorm Wind in CADDO, LOUISIANA
From 12-APR-20 19:12:00 to 12-APR-20 19:12:00 (CST-6)
Location: DIXIE GARDENS
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

A NWS employee estimated 60-70 mph winds in the University Terrace subdivision in Southeast Shreveport. Numerous large limbs were snapped, and small trees along Youree Drive were uprooted. Power was also out in the area as well.

Thunderstorm Wind in BOSSIER, LOUISIANA
From 12-APR-20 19:23:00 to 12-APR-20 19:23:00 (CST-6)
Location: (BAD)BARKSDALE AFB
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

A 64 mph wind gust was measured at Barksdale Air Force Base (KBAD) in Bossier City.

Thunderstorm Wind in BOSSIER, LOUISIANA
From 12-APR-20 19:37:00 to 12-APR-20 19:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: ADNER
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Trees were downed in the Tall Timbers subdivision.

Thunderstorm Wind in UNION, LOUISIANA
From 12-APR-20 18:55:00 to 12-APR-20 18:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: CANBEAL
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Two trees were uprooted along John Edwards Road. Quarter size hail also fell in this location as well.

Thunderstorm Wind in LINCOLN, LOUISIANA
From 12-APR-20 10:07:00 to 12-APR-20 10:07:00 (CST-6)
Location: SIBLEY
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Trees were downed near the intersection of Highways 145 and 821.

Tornado in OUACHITA, LOUISIANA
From 12-APR-20 10:36:00 to 12-APR-20 10:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: BAWCOMVILLE
Tornado F-scale: EF3
Property damage: 250.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An EF-3 tornado with estimated maximum winds near 140 mph touched down at the corner of Fern Street and Brown Street in the Brownsville-Bawcomville community. As it moved through this area, it downed and snapped hundreds of trees, many of which fell onto homes. As the tornado crossed Sandal Street, it caused minor structural damage to several single-wide manufactured homes before tipping over a trailer as it crossed Jonesboro Road. The tornado then proceeded onward to break the metal trusses and bring down a wood chip conveyor belt onto a train at the Graphic Packaging International Paper Mill. As the tornado continued, it crossed the Ouachita River twice where it bends sharply before increasing intensity along Riverbend Drive. This increase in intensity was most notable from the many tree trunks snapped, the roof ripped off of a single family home, and the collapsed wall of another single family home.
The tornado then crossed the Ouachita River again and partially damaged the roof of the Masur Museum of Art, missing Downtown Monroe by roughly a mile. As it crossed South Grand Street, it then ripped the roof off of a two story home and continued on to damage the roofs of several homes and downed trees until it crossed the intersection of Highway 165 and Interstate 20. There, it damaged a metal building structure and snapped a wooden power pole and steel light assembly as it crossed Millhaven Road. Numerous other power poles were snapped and blown over across Millhaven Road. Two semi trucks were also blown over near the Highway 165/Interstate 20 intersection as well.
The worst damage from the tornado then occurred along Orchid Drive where it ripped the roof off of three homes and collapsed much of the exterior walls of one of the homes. It is believed that a mesovortex within the tornado led to this narrow corridor of more intense damage. After the tornado moved out of this subdivision, damage became more sporadic and the tornado touch down several more times before it destroyed a metal hangar housing several airplanes at the Monroe Regional Airport. The tornado then lifted as it crossed a runway at the airport.
Initial estimates from the Ouachita Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness indicate that a total of 458 homes across the parish were impacted by this tornado and the two other tornadoes which also touched down near the Sterlington community in Northern Ouachita Parish that same morning of April 12th. Of these homes, 23 homes were destroyed, 108 had major damage, 243 with minor damage, and another 84 homes were affected across the parish. Damage at the Monroe Regional Airport alone was estimated at $25-30 million. According to Entergy, South Monroe lost seven distribution lines and one substation as a result of this tornado. Several other circuits and transmission structures were also damaged.