SHREVEPORT, La. – Beryl has made its presence known in the ArkLaTex, claiming a woman's life and leaving swaths of damage from possible tornadoes or high winds.
The fatality was reported in the Benton area. A 31-year-old woman was killed when a tree fell on her mobile home.
Two elderly people were injured in southwest Caddo Parish when their mobile home was rolled of its foundation.
Beryl gets the blame as it retained tropical storm status while moving through the ArkLaTex throughout the day Monday. The KTBS 3 Weather Team reported 56 tornado warnings were issued over an approximate six-hour period.
Beryl, which early in its formation became a powerful Category 5 hurricane, entered Texas Monday morning near Matagorda Bay. The local area started feeling the impact by early afternoon.
The path of destruction in Bossier Parish began in the southern part of the parish in Elm Grove and is still being assessed all the way up to the Highway 2 area in Plain Dealing. Areas that are heavily affected are the Bellevue/Wafer Road areas in Haughton, Linton-Bellevue/Crouch Road area and the Old Plain Dealing Road area in Benton. Sheriff Julian Whittington urges everyone to avoid the affected areas so damage can be further assessed and removed from roadways and powerlines.
The Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office has reported trees and power lines down in Pleasant Hill. The main highways are open; however, some secondary roads are blocked.
On the other side of Sabine Parish, structures at Jolly Rogers Marina on Toledo Bend have suffered damage, in addition to areas on co*ker Worsham Road and Woodlake Drive.
In DeSoto Parish, Beulah Baptist Church, located southwest of Mansfield, sustained heavy damage from what likely was a tornado.
More than a dozen roads are closed mostly on the western side of DeSoto Parish. Logansport cannot be accessed from the north, the sheriff's office said.
Closed roads include: Highway 5 at Ward Palmer, Bethel Road from Highway 3015, Highway 3015 from Smyrna Road, Highway 5 at Cowboy Lane, 1618 Mary Street, Highway 174 from the DeSoto line, 1208 Highway 172, Highway 481 at Beulah, Harts Bluff Road at Jesse Wyatt, Barnes Road west of Nubbin Ridge Road, Nubbin Ridge Road and Bynog Private Drive, Hamilton Road, 3417 Highway 481 and 745 Highway 764.
One structure was damaged and several trees are down in the Sligo area in south Bossier Parish. Trees and fences are also down in the Forest Hills Subdivision.
Trees are down on two houses in the 2700 block of Bellevue Road.
Shady Park Mobile Home Park on U.S. Highway 80 in Haughton also has sustained damage.
Trees are blocking Springridge-State Line Road and Keatchie-Marshall Road at Four Forks Road in southwest Caddo Parish.
Shortly before 2:30, Caddo Fire District 4 was dispatched to the 9600 Block of Horton Road in Keithville for reports of two elderly people trapped in a home that was flipped upside down. Firefighters made entry and located the occupants who were unable to make their way out. One was taken to Ochsner LSU Health with minor injuries.
In Panola County, Texas, several families were affected as trees fell onto homes causing extensive damage.
Several structures in downtown Timpson, Texas, are missing their roofs and other debris is scattered throughout the town.
The storm is expected to affect local weather conditions into the night.
Let's break down the impacts.
Flooding Risk
We have a Flood Watch for a portion of the area for the risk of excessive rainfall leading to flooding. Some areas could see multiple inches of rain by the time this is all said and done which would lead to flooding. The areas most impacted will be in East Texas. Parishes and counties on the eastern edge of the ArkLaTex will receive less. As always, remember to turn around and don't drown when coming upon flooded roadways.
Tornado Risk
Tropical systems often spawn tornadoes. This is a possibility for us as we head into Monday thanks to Beryl. Our risk is a slight (2 out of 5) risk for portions of the area mainly near the I-49 corridor. This often happens in the right quadrant of tropical systems, which is where the ArkLaTex lies in its track. They would be brief spin-ups if anything, not long-track tornadoes.
Wind Risk
Since Beryl weakens to a tropical depression as it approaches the region, sustained wind speeds will be around 35 mph. We could see stronger gusts at times. If you are in an area that is prone to power outages, make sure you prepare for that possibility in case it happens.
Clickherefor your complete KTBS MEGA 3 Storm Team Forecast.
STAY CONNECTED
It's easy to be weather-wise. Keep up with all of the very latest weather developments with the KTBS MEGA 3 Storm Team. We're always on stand-by to help you ride out the storm and keep you and your family safe. You'll also want to arm yourself with the KTBS MEGA 3 Storm Team app available forAppleandAndroiddevices.When necessary, look for LIVE coverage on all of your KTBS 3 Now connecteddevices including KTBS 3.2 andktbs.com.
Also, use#ktbswxon social media to report damage, flooding or post images and video. Please remember,SAFETY FIRST.
