Waterspouts spotted in Slidell and Mandeville

MANDEVILLE, La. (WGNO) — Over the last 24 hours, three waterspouts have been spotted in Mandeville and Slidell.

The first one was spotted in Mandeville on the Fourth of July. St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies Jordan Salles and Chris Yoli captured the video.

Mandeville waterspout:

The second and third were spotted just before 9 a.m. the next morning, on July 5 near the Twin Span in Slidell. WGNO Engineer Ricky Meyers captured videos of the two waterspouts on his way to the station.

Slidell waterspouts:

What are waterspouts?

Waterspouts are intense columns of rotating air that resemble tornadoes over a body of water.

There are two main types: tornadic waterspouts and fair-weather waterspouts.

Tornadic waterspouts:

• These are essentially tornadoes over water
• They develop from thunderstorms and begin with a funnel cloud that extends down to the surface of the water
• They are often associated with strong winds, hail, and heavy rainfall.
• Tornadic waterspouts are dangerous and can cause significant damage if they move onto land

Fair-weather waterspouts:

• These typically develop in calm weather conditions.
• They form on the surface of the water and work their way upward.
• They are usually less intense than tornadic waterspouts but can still cause damage to boats and marine life.

Waterspouts can occur in various locations around the world but are most common in tropical and subtropical regions. They usually last from a few minutes to over half an hour, and while fascinating to watch, they should be avoided due to their potential danger.

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