Storm Story: 1989 Hailstorm and Flash Flood

In our storm history, three inch diameter hail has been recorded in Ouachita Parish on at least two occasions. This includes the 1989 hailstorm and flash flood. Hailstorm generates a lot of debris. Following a hailstorm communities need to rapidly clear the drainage network. 

Below are some nuggets of information from the 1989 Hailstorm.

On May 4^th and 5^th 1989, we experienced a hailstorm, followed by a flash flood. This event was federally declared. The story passed down on this storm is the debris from the hailstorm exacerbated the flash flooding.  People drove cars for years the Bonnie and Clyde death car for those old enough to remember. There were not enough roofers. Then there was the cleanup from the flooding. 

Historical Note: In the late 1960s or early 1970s, the Bonnie and Clyde death car was on tour. It came to Monroe, LA. It could be seen in the Sears parking lot on Louisville Avenue. You paid a couple of bucks to walk though the trailer to see the death car. It made quite an impression.

GIS Analyst - The damage area for a hailstorm is referred to as a hail swath. We have talked a lot about our processes to analyze flood inundations areas and tornado track polygons. The hail swath analysis are essentially the same methodology. First map the hail swath, then analyzed the polygon for demographics and businesses estimates within. 

      May 4-5 1989, NWS Storm Report

We have a lot of emergency managers working hard to protect the people. You are appreciated.

Source: National Weather Service, Newspaper.com and local knowledge.

Tom M.