Full Notification

The National Weather Service in Lake Charles has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... Southern Rapides Parish in central Louisiana... Northern Evangeline Parish in central Louisiana... Southeastern Vernon Parish in west central Louisiana... Northeastern Allen Parish in southwestern Louisiana...

* Until 245 PM CDT.

* At 147 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Pitkin, moving east at 40 mph. HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include... Oakdale, Ville Platte, Glenmora, Cheneyville, Elizabeth, Turkey Creek, Pitkin, Grant, Pine Prairie, Lecompte, Bayou Chicot, Chicot State Park, Allen Parish Airport, Beaver, Forest Hill, Mcnary and Union Hill. This includes Interstate 49 between mile markers 54 and 70.

* AFFECTED AREAS: RAPIDES, LA ... VERNON, LA ... ALLEN, LA ... EVANGELINE, LA

Instructions:

A Tornado Watch remains in effect for the warned area. Tornadoes can develop quickly from severe thunderstorms. Although a tornado is not immediately likely, if one is spotted, act quickly and move to a place of safety inside a sturdy structure such as a small interior room. For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. Large hail and damaging winds and continuous cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Move indoors immediately. Lightning is one of nature's leading killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.