Tornadoes

Tornadoes are violent and rapidly rotating columns of air that form inside thunderstorms. They connect with the ground, via a funnel, to the cloud. Tornadoes typically last only a few minutes, but sometimes they can continue for more than an hour. They can also travel short distances (0.5 miles), but some can be 'on the ground' for upwards of 100 miles.

Since 1950, more than 1950 tornadoes have been recorded in Louisiana. There has only been one EF-5 (winds over 200 mph) tornado recorded in the state, and there has also been 9 EF-4 (166 - 200 mph) and 96 EF-3 (136 - 165 mph) rated tornadoes.

Source: www.weather.gov