Tornado Watch until 11 p.m.; improving weather to end the week

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - The entire WAFB viewing area remains under a Tornado Watch until 11 p.m. This watch could get extended, depending on the exact timing of our second round of storms. This second round of storms will be in the form of a line ahead of a cold front.

A Tornado Warning was issued for parts of Livingston, St. Helena, and Tangipahoa parishes until 5:45 p.m. Another Tornado Warning for Tangipahoa and St. Helena parishes expired around 8 p.m. A few Severe Thunderstorm Warnings were also issued and have since expired.

Embedded within this line could be a few strong/severe storms capable of damaging winds. We can’t completely rule out a brief spin-up tornado either, but it will be a secondary concern. The line of storms will move across the area during the night.

The Tangipahoa Police Department reported two overturned homes in the 12000 block of Tangipahoa Road. Officers also said there is some structural damage at Big Boss Express on Center Street. Mayor Shelia Martin said there are no deaths from the storm but the damage is extensive.

VIDEO: Tornado flips 2 mobile homes south of Kentwood

There were reports of damage in Walker from that first round of storms. Witnesses said there was damage at the Auto Zone on LA 447.

Make sure you have a way of receiving alerts (WAFB First Alert Weather App / NOAA weather radio) before you head to bed if storms haven’t completely passed your location. Rain amounts could lead to nuisance-type street flooding. The timing of flooding will be when few motorists will be on the roads which should lessen the overall impact. If you encounter a flooded roadway, make sure to turn around.

Once the cold front passes the weather will trend quieter. A few lingering light rain showers will exist into the predawn hours of Thursday morning. Temperatures will take a slight dip Thursday being on the backside of the cold front.

A second cold front will arrive on Friday bringing even colder weather to end the week. Highs will only muster the low to mid 50°s Saturday with a brief/light freeze early Sunday morning. Make sure to take care of people, pets, and plants from Saturday night into Sunday morning.

Unsettled weather and warmer temperatures return for the first half of next week. Showers and thunderstorms will be likely on Valentine’s Day. If you are planning an outdoor activity, it may be best to have an indoor option. Showers will linger until a cold front passes the area Thursday of next week.

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