Here We Go Again, Tornado Watch Issued for Lufkin/Nacogdoches
Tuesday, severe storms rumbled across central, east, and northeast Texas. Some of those caused quite a bit of damage in Cherokee, Nacogdoches and Shelby Counties. Numerous power outages were reported and several school districts such as Douglass, Central Heights, and Garrison had to cancel classes on Wednesday. Flooding was also a major overnight issue in portions of those same counties.
Is Round Two Coming?
The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma has forecast a major outbreak of severe weather for Wednesday. The worst of it is expected to happen along the Mississippi River valley, however, East Texas also has some of the atmospheric ingredients that could spawn some severe storms, and now for the second time in less than 24 hours, the Lufkin/Nacogdoches area is again under a Tornado Watch.
This latest watch includes Angelina, Nacogdoches, Cherokee, Rusk, Panola, Shelby, Sabine and San Augustine Counties. It encompasses much of the same area in the Pineywoods as last night's Tornado Watch with the exception of Houston and Trinity Counties. The watch is in effect until 5 p.m. today, although it will probably be lifted before then for Lufkin and Nacogdoches.
Where are the Storms?
As of 11 a.m., several severe thunderstorms have developed and moved across portions of northeast Texas including the Sulphur Springs and Mount Pleasant areas. Currently, only light shower activity is happening across portions of Deep East Texas, however, intensification of storms is expected to happen throughout the midday hours.
What to Expect
Damaging straight-line winds, large hail, downpours, and tornadoes are all possibilities today across much of the Pineywoods. Flooding is also a major concern, especially in those areas that received over 3 inches of rain last night. Persons living in Alto, Rusk, Nacogdoches, Garrison and Center should be alert for rapidly rising water in the event of heavy downpours.
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