Severe storms are battering the Gulf Coast, bringing flash flooding and tornado warnings to millions of people from Texas to the Florida Panhandle.
Floods and high winds closed roads in the south, forcing schools and offices to close on Wednesday. In New Orleans, floods had washed away the downtown area, making it difficult for cars to travel on the roads.
Heavy rains, flash flooding and severe weather threats associated with an intensifying low-pressure system are expected to flood the region, according to the National Weather Service.
“We believe double-digit tornadoes will develop as a result of the severe weather outbreak, and multiple tornadoes could be on the ground at the same time Wednesday despite less than perfect atmospheric conditions,” AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said.
Forecasters say strong, damaging winds of more than 75 miles per hour could wreak havoc across the region and topple trees and poles.
Severe storms are battering the Gulf Coast, bringing flash flooding and tornado warnings to millions of people from Texas to the Florida Panhandle – including in New Orleans, where rain has flooded the downtown area
In New Orleans, floods had washed away the downtown area, making it difficult for cars to travel on the roads
As of noon ET on Wednesday, 172,226 customers are without power in Louisiana, 49,231 in Mississippi and 45,318 in Texas, according to Poweroutage.us.
This is what is happening all over the Gulf Coast
TEXAS
In the Lone Star State, several people were rescued from homes and vehicles Wednesday morning as parts of Jasper County near the Louisiana line flooded, authorities said.
“The city of Kirbyville is still flooded and remains the main problem at this time,” the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office said on social media.
All major roads into Kirbyville, a town of about 2,000, were closed early Wednesday because of the flooding, the sheriff’s office said.
Damage from a tornado Wednesday in Katy, Texas
Authorities are working at the scene where a tornado damaged several businesses
Several people were rescued from homes and vehicles in Texas on Wednesday morning
All major roads into Kirbyville, a town of about 2,000, were closed early Wednesday due to the flooding
In the Houston suburb of Katy, strong thunderstorms that moved through the area around 2 a.m. Wednesday caused part of the roof of a Firestone repair shop to collapse.
Storms also damaged businesses and cars at a nearby shopping center, including causing a large air conditioning unit that had been on the roof to crash into the parking lot, officials said.
LOUISIANA
In Louisiana, state office buildings were closed Wednesday as storms were expected to devastate the state during rush hour, the governor’s office announced.
Officials also asked drivers to limit travel if possible and warned that high winds were expected to hit large trucks.
The National Weather Service is issuing a state of emergency in New Orleans, Chalmette and Meraux until 2:00 PM CT as heavy rain made it impossible to cross the road.
The National Weather Service issues a flash flood emergency in New Orleans as heavy rain floods roads
Louisiana State University announced the campus would close Wednesday
Storm clouds roll over New Orleans on Wednesday as floodwaters rise in the Treme neighborhood
In Slidell, just outside New Orleans, several people were injured and first responders scoured neighborhoods after reports of a tornado touched down Wednesday morning.
‘There were companies that partially went bankrupt, apartment complexes. Trees are down everywhere, power lines are down everywhere,” said Slidell Police Department spokesman Daniel Suezeneau.
One of the nation’s largest universities — Louisiana State University — announced its campus would close Wednesday due to “developing severe weather conditions.”
MISSISSIPPI
Video shows hail storms barreling through central Mississippi Tuesday evening, it was reported WJTV.
Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones said several trees and power lines are down in western and northern Hinds County, including Learned, Raymond, Old Port Gibson Road and Pocahontas.
Governor Tate Reeves said Wednesday there were 12 homes damaged in Hinds County, two homes damaged in Neshoba County, one home destroyed in Warren County, and eight homes damaged and one home destroyed in Yazoo County.
Severe storms damage a home in Pelahatchie, Mississippi.
Video shows hail storms barreling through central Mississippi Tuesday night
Fallen trees have caused multiple road closures in Hinds and Yazoo County
Fallen trees have caused multiple road closures in Hinds and Yazoo County.
“It is extremely important to keep in mind that our state is expected to experience more severe weather today,” the governor said.
‘There is a real possibility that the situation will get worse before it gets better. Please prepare for today’s storms; it could be the difference between life and death and the safety of your family.”
ALABAMA
The Alabama Department of Transportation reported a flooded lane on eastbound Interstate 90 near the I-10 interchange in Spanish Fort, causing moderate delays Wednesday morning.
Dozens of school districts have announced early dismissals due to tornado risks AL.com.
The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for Sumter, Marengo, Dallas and Lowndes counties until 5 p.m.
Severe storms are battering the Gulf Coast, bringing flash flooding and tornado warnings for millions of people
Forecasters say the biggest flooding threat is in southern Alabama, where they say five to four inches of rain is possible.
Waterfront Rescue Mission opened a severe weather shelter for people seeking temporary shelter from the storm, the newspaper reported WEAR.
FLORIDA
As severe storms approach the Florida Panhandle, one school district is closed and two schools are being dismissed early, it is reported Pensacola News Magazine.
Escambia County public schools and district offices are closed, the Santa Rosa School District is on an early release schedule and Okaloosa County schools are dismissing an hour early.
A tornado watch was issued for Escambia, Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties until 5 p.m.
The National Weather Service predicted that storms could bring wind gusts up to 80 miles per hour, strong tornadoes and quarter-sized hail to the area.