Arthur gives St. Mary its first look at tropical weather this year

Just over two weeks into the hurricane season, St. Mary has had its first tropical weather of 2026.
A tropical disturbance near the Texas-Mexico border emerged Wednesday as Tropical Storm Arthur in a week when heavy rain was already in the forecast.
The storm’s center stayed well away from St. Mary, but the accompanying wind and rain bands were a more immediate threat.
Warnings that conditions here would be conducive to tornado formation proved prophetic.
At 2:20 a.m. Thursday, the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for East St. Mary and lower St. Martin.
At 2:20, the NWS said “a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Patterson Memorial Airport, or over Patterson, moving northeast at 30 mph.”
The NWS said the system over the airport exhibited rotation, which often precedes a tornado.
No touchdowns have been reported. The Houma area wasn't as fortunate.
WVUE in New Orleans said Thursday that its radar picked up a torin the Houma-Ashland area.
Another touchdown was detected in the Boutte area near U.S. 90 about 3 a.m.
The week’s weather forecasts led Cleco to prepare to send crews to battle any power outages.
On Tuesday, the St. Mary Levee District announced plans to close the Franklin Canal, Yellow Bayou, Hansen Canal and Bayou Teche flood control structures.
Local governments also announced sandbag availability across the parish.
As this is written Thursday, a 20%-30% chance of rain was in the forecast for Friday and Saturday.