Urgent: Severe Storms Set to Slam Louisiana Monday
WDSU Alert Day: Severe Storms Heading for Louisiana & Mississippi This Afternoon
TL;DR: The WDSU Weather Team has declared today an Alert Day. Strong to severe thunderstorms will sweep across Louisiana and parts of Mississippi this afternoon and evening. The biggest threats are damaging winds (40–60 mph), frequent lightning, hail, and isolated flooding. Know your parish’s timeline and stay weather-aware!
What’s Happening Right Now?
The WDSU First Warning Weather Team has issued a First Warning Alert Day for Monday. A line of strong to severe thunderstorms is expected to move through the region this afternoon and evening, bringing dangerous heat and stormy weather.
Active Severe Thunderstorm Warnings (Take Action Now!)
A Warning means severe weather is happening or imminent in these areas. Take shelter immediately if you’re in the warned zone.
| Parish / County | Expires |
|---|---|
| St. John the Baptist | 3:15 PM |
| St. Charles | 3:15 PM |
| Tangipahoa | 3:15 PM |
Important: A Severe Thunderstorm Warning means wind gusts ≥ 58 mph and/or hail ≥ 1 inch are occurring or about to occur. Go indoors, away from windows!
Active Severe Thunderstorm Watch (Stay Prepared)
A Watch means conditions are favorable for severe storms. Have a plan and stay alert.
Parishes under Watch until 7:00 PM:
- Jefferson
- Lafourche
- Livingston
- Plaquemines
- St. Bernard
- St. Charles
- St. Helena
- St. John the Baptist
- St. Tammany
Plus portions of South Mississippi.
Watch vs. Warning – ELI5:
- Watch = "Ingredients are ready. Storms could form." → Be ready.
- Warning = "The cake is baking. Storms are happening." → Take cover!
Storm Prediction Center Outlook: What’s the Risk Level?
The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) uses a 1–5 scale for severe weather risk. Here’s today’s breakdown:
| Risk Level | Category | Areas Affected | What It Means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 2 of 5 | Slight Risk | Eastern LA (New Orleans, Lafitte, Baton Rouge, North Shore) & Southern MS (Gulfport, Pass Christian, Bay St. Louis) | Scattered severe storms likely. Main threat: damaging winds 40–60 mph. Hail, intense lightning, isolated flooding possible. |
| Level 1 of 5 | Marginal Risk | Gulf Coast & as far north as Jackson, MS | Isolated severe storms possible. Lower coverage, but still stay alert. |
Key Threat: Straight-line winds 40–60 mph — these can snap trees, knock down power lines, and damage roofs/mobile homes. Treat them like a weak tornado!
Storm Timeline: When Will Storms Arrive Near You?
Storms will move west to east across the region. Find your area below:
2:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Louisiana: Tangipahoa, Washington, St. Tammany Parishes
- Mississippi: Hancock, Pearl River Counties
3:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- New Orleans Metro: Kenner, Metairie
- Parishes: St. Bernard, St. James, St. John, Northern Jefferson, Northern Lafourche
4:00 PM – 11:00 PM
- Coastal/Southern Areas: Grand Isle, Golden Meadow, Houma, Lafitte
- Parishes: Terrebonne, Plaquemines, Lafourche, Southern Jefferson
Pro Tip: Storms may arrive earlier or later by 30–60 minutes. Don’t wait for the exact minute — prepare now!
Your 5-Step Safety Checklist (Do This NOW)
- Enable Weather Alerts — Turn on Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) in phone settings. Download the WDSU Weather App for live radar & warnings.
- Secure Outdoor Items — Bring in patio furniture, trash cans, trampolines, grills. Wind turns them into missiles.
- Park Smart — Move vehicles into garages or away from trees/power lines.
- Prep for Power Loss — Charge phones, locate flashlights (not candles!), have water & snacks ready.
- Know Your Safe Spot — Lowest floor, interior room, away from windows. Bathroom or closet = best. Mobile home? Have a sturdier backup shelter plan.
Important Reminders (Callout Box)
CRITICAL SAFETY NOTES
- Lightning kills! If you hear thunder, you’re close enough to be struck. Get indoors immediately.
- Never drive through flooded roads. Turn Around, Don’t Drown® — 6 inches of moving water knocks you down; 1 foot floats a car.
- Downed power lines = DEADLY. Stay at least 35 feet away. Call 911 & your utility company.
- Heat + Storms = Double Danger. Heat index may top 100°F. Hydrate, check on neighbors, don’t overexert during cleanup.
Summary: What You Need to Know
| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| Today is an Alert Day — Severe storms expected this afternoon/evening. |
| Warnings active NOW for St. John, St. Charles, Tangipahoa (until 3:15 PM). |
| Watch in effect until 7 PM for 9+ LA parishes + South MS. |
| Main threat: 40–60 mph winds — treat like a tornado. Hail, lightning, flooding also possible. |
| Storms arrive 2 PM – 11 PM west to east. Know your window. |
| Act now: Alerts on, loose items secured, safe spot identified, phone charged. |
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
1. What’s the difference between a Watch and a Warning again?
Watch = "Be ready." Conditions support severe storms. Warning = "Take cover!" Severe storms are happening or minutes away. Warnings always trump Watches.
2. I’m in a Marginal Risk (Level 1) area. Can I ignore this?
No. "Marginal" means isolated severe storms are possible — not that they won’t happen. One storm over your house is all it takes. Stay alert.
3. My area isn’t listed in the timeline. Am I safe?
The timeline covers highest-probability windows. Storms can fire outside these times/areas. Keep alerts ON regardless.
4. What if I’m driving when a Warning hits?
Pull off the road safely. Park away from trees/power lines. Stay in the car (metal frame protects you from lightning). Do NOT park under overpasses — wind tunnels form there!
5. How do I get the latest updates?
- WDSU App (free, live radar + push alerts)
- NOAA Weather Radio (battery backup!)
- Follow @WDSU on social media
- Check weather.gov for official NWS products
After the Storms: What’s Next?
Storms should exit eastward by late evening. Overnight: clearing skies, muggy, lows in the 70s. Tuesday looks drier & hotter — but another storm chance returns mid-week. Stay tuned to WDSU for updates!
Stay safe, stay informed, and remember: When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!
Article based on WDSU First Warning Weather Team Alert Day coverage. For real-time updates, visit WDSU.com/weather or download the WDSU Weather App.