The National Weather Service has completed its preliminary survey of the tornado damage that occurred in and near Franklinton Wednesday night.
The survey report puts the maximum wind speed of the Franklinton tornado at 105 mph, which is 6 mph shy of the 111 mph minimum wind speed of a Category 3 hurricane. Category 3 is considered to be a major hurricane.
The NWS survey shows that the Franklinton tornado was on the ground for 5.14 miles, with a total width on the ground of 300 yards.
As reported elsewhere on era-leader.com, the Franklinton tornado created damage along the east side of LA Highway 16/Main Street.
Another tornado to the west of Franklinton that started in Tangipahoa Parish was surveyed to have been on the ground for 13.48 miles with a width on the ground of 450 yards. It had maximum winds of 95 mph. It went through areas to the immediate south and southeast of Mount Hermon.
The Franklinton tornado and the tornado to the west of Franklinton were among the 7 confirmed tornadoes on the Northshore during Wednesday night's storm system.
With the wind speeds reported and the amount of damage that occurred in both the Franklinton tornado and the tornado to the west of Franklinton, officials have said it is very fortunate that no one killed and no injuries have been reported. Most residents apparently heeded the urgent warnings issued by the National Weather Service when the tornadoes were spotted on radar.
See additional information and photos elsewhere on era-leader.com and in the March 18 printed edition of The Era-Leader.
