A cold front moved in and stalled while multiple upper level disturbances moved through. High moisture levels and ample lift provided a few days of flooding and severe thunderstorms.

Lightning in VERMILION, LOUISIANA
From 17-MAY-21 17:15:00 to 17-MAY-21 17:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: GUEYDAN
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Lightning struck a transformer resulting in a fire of a near by tree and fence.

Thunderstorm Wind in JEFFERSON DAVIS, LOUISIANA
From 19-MAY-21 01:35:00 to 19-MAY-21 01:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: WOODLAWN
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Camper trailers were flipped near Iowa.

Thunderstorm Wind in CALCASIEU, LOUISIANA
From 19-MAY-21 01:10:00 to 19-MAY-21 01:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAKE CHARLES MUNI AR
Magnitude: 60.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The Lake Charles Regional airport recorded a wind gust of 69 mph.

Flash Flood in CALCASIEU, LOUISIANA
From 17-MAY-21 09:05:00 to 17-MAY-21 10:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: DE QUINCY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Multiple roads were flooded and impassible in Dequincy.

Tornado in ST. LANDRY, LOUISIANA
From 17-MAY-21 11:48:00 to 17-MAY-21 11:49:00 (CST-6)
Location: ARNAUDVILLE
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A video of a thin and brief tornado near Arnaudville was sent in. No damage occurred.

Tornado in JEFFERSON DAVIS, LOUISIANA
From 17-MAY-21 12:14:00 to 17-MAY-21 12:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: LACASSINE
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A picture of a tornado was sent through social media. The tornado was brief, narrow, and did not cause damage.

Tornado in ST. LANDRY, LOUISIANA
From 17-MAY-21 12:13:00 to 17-MAY-21 12:14:00 (CST-6)
Location: PORT BARRE
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Broadcast media relayed a picture or a thin tornado near Port Barre. No damage occurred.

Tornado in ACADIA, LOUISIANA
From 17-MAY-21 13:17:00 to 17-MAY-21 13:18:00 (CST-6)
Location: LYONS PT
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Minor damage from a tornado occurred to a home on Highway 13. Pictures of a thin tornado were also sent in through social media.

Tornado in CALCASIEU, LOUISIANA
From 17-MAY-21 12:17:00 to 17-MAY-21 12:19:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAKE CHARLES MUNI AR
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

A home was hit by a tornado on Tank Farm Road causing roof damage. Meteorologist at the National Weather Service office witnessed the brief tornado from the office.

Tornado in JEFFERSON DAVIS, LOUISIANA
From 17-MAY-21 14:30:00 to 17-MAY-21 14:31:00 (CST-6)
Location: JENNINGS ARPT
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Pictures of a rope tornado were posted to social media. The tornado remained in a field and no damage occurred.

Tornado in ACADIA, LOUISIANA
From 17-MAY-21 15:12:00 to 17-MAY-21 15:13:00 (CST-6)
Location: CROWLEY
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A spotter reported a brief tornado in a field that did not cause damage.

Flash Flood in VERMILION, LOUISIANA
From 17-MAY-21 18:00:00 to 17-MAY-21 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: MAURICE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Heavy rain produced flooding in northeast Vermilion Parish into the city of Lafayette. Several streets were flooded around the community of Maurice where a driver ran off the road. The motorist was found the next day in the ditch near his car.

Thunderstorm Wind in CALCASIEU, LOUISIANA
From 19-MAY-21 01:00:00 to 19-MAY-21 01:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAKE CHARLES MUNI AR
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A strong wind gust from a thunderstorm caused a chimney to collapse.

Flash Flood in LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA
From 17-MAY-21 18:00:00 to 17-MAY-21 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: MILTON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 300.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Numerous streets were flooded around Lafayette with cars stranded at several intersections.

Flash Flood in CALCASIEU, LOUISIANA
From 17-MAY-21 09:45:00 to 17-MAY-21 14:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAKE CHARLES LAKE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 500.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Thunderstorms moved very slowly across Lake Charles and the surrounding area while back building during the late morning to mid afternoon of the 17th. One rain gage recorded near 22 inches of rain in South Lake Charles during the event, but a large swath received 10 inches or more. Most streets were flooded and impassable. Numerous vehicles were flooded and some were swept off the roads into ditches and and bayous. One person drown when their car floated into a ditch. Numerous homes and businesses were flooded in South Lake Charles some of which were still being repaired from Hurricanes Laura and Delta. Some schools and churches in the area also flooded.