Shreveport, Louisiana – Strong to severe thunderstorms could bring up to 3 inches of rain and damaging wind gusts along Interstate 20 late Saturday afternoon into early Sunday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Shreveport, a line of storms is expected to move into East Texas, northern and central Louisiana, southwest Arkansas and southeast Oklahoma by early Saturday afternoon, pushing southeast through the evening and overnight hours.
A Level 1 (Marginal) to Level 2 (Slight) severe weather risk is in place across the region. The Slight Risk area, including parts of Lufkin and areas south of I-20, carries a higher potential for severe storms. Forecasters note the tornado risk is higher south of Interstate 20.
Primary threats include damaging wind gusts, large hail and locally heavy rainfall. Brief isolated tornadoes cannot be ruled out. Flash flooding is also possible, particularly where storms repeatedly move over the same locations.
Rainfall totals of at least 1 inch are expected areawide, with 2 inches or more likely in the Slight Risk zone. Isolated amounts near 3 inches are possible, especially across northeast Texas, northwest Louisiana and southwest Arkansas.
Travel along I-20, U.S. 59 and U.S. 69 could become hazardous during heavier downpours, with ponding on roadways and reduced visibility.
Drivers, evening event attendees and overnight travelers are encouraged to monitor weather alerts and avoid flooded roadways.
The National Weather Service urges residents to have multiple ways to receive warnings as storms progress through the Ark-La-Tex region.
