Mother Nature let local residents enjoy Christmas before unleashing thunderstorms, high winds and several tornadoes over Vernon Parish last weekend.

Meteorologists identified multiple small tornadoes that touched down briefly before lifting back into the air.  The worst of them occurred at approximately 3:20 p.m. Saturday, December 28, when an EF-1 category storm began off Cooper Church Road near Pickering.  The path was six and a half miles long, moving ENE over Hazel Jeane Road, before crossing Highway 171 and lifting off from a wooded area.  A second EF-0 category storm touched down in the New Llano area some 5-7 minutes following the heavier storm last Saturday.  This one began east of Highway 171 and pulled the roof off a metal building before moving off in a SE direction. The storm then crossed Eissman Road and moved onto Ft. Johnson momentarily, before lifting back into the sky.  There were no reports of injuries or major structural damage, mostly felled trees and debris.

Power outages on December 28 affected nearly 10,000 electric customers, many lasting over 24 hours in portions of the parish.  Flash flood warnings were out for low-lying areas.  The City of Leesville lost water pressure due to a lack of electricity, but there were no water main breaks and no boil advisories were issued.  Water pressure was restored when the power went back up.

Weather forecasters are calling for arctic-like weather the first full week of 2025.  Temperatures are predicted to be at hard freezing conditions (25 degrees or below) for three to four days through January 11.  Start making plans now to protect your residence, plants and animals this weekend.