Homes flood in Texas as severe storms intensify across the south
More than 100,000 left without power after severe storm tears through Houston area
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Strong rain and high winds were battering the southeast on Wednesday, causing flooding and tornadoes in some states.
More than 30 million people across the Southeast were under a severe storm threat Wednesday. Flooding alerts were in place for more than 13 million people between living from Texas to Georgia after storms dumped rain and damaged buildings across Texas Tuesday night.
The affected region included northeast Texas, most of Louisiana, central and southern Arkansas, much of Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, western Georgia and the Florida panhandle.
Torrential rains flooded Kirbyville, Texas, where rescue crews reported they had to conduct "10 to 15 high water rescues."
At least 100,000 homes were left without power in east Texas due to the severe storms.
In addition to flooding, hail the size of baseballs was reported in parts of Texas, and at least one tornado was spotted in Mississippi.
Storms soaked the region all morning on Wednesday.
Forecasters predicted that some areas would see the storms get worse as the day progressed.
Storms in Katy, Texas leave buildings in rubble
Severe storms blowing through the Houston area on Tuesday night toppled buildings in the city of Katy.
Katy is on the western outskirts of Houston.
The Harris County Fire Department snapped shots of multiple buildings that either suffered substantial structural damage or were reduced almost entirely to debris.
The storms in Texas continued eastward on Wednesday morning and are now expected to intensify as the day continues, bringing with them possible tornadoes, large hail, high winds, and a substantial risk for flooding.
Wild images show before and after flood levels in Texas city
Weather Channel meteorologist Chris Dolce shared a gif that showed the difference between Kirbyville, Texas from 7 April — when it was relatively normal — and from earlier today, when the streets were flooded.
The difference is stark.
Texas governor authorised use of state emergency assistance
Texas Governor Greg Abbott approved the use of state emergency resources to help those affected by the severe storms that swept over the state on Tuesday and continue to do so in the eastern portion of the state on Wednesday.
“Today, I directed [Texas Department of Emergency Management] to deploy additional resources and support to local communities as severe thunderstorms and potential flash floods impact Texas,” he wrote in a post on X/Twitter on Tuesday. “Texans are urged to monitor weather forecasts and heed guidance from emergency officials.”
More than 100,000 power customers in the state were in the dark on Wednesday due to the storms.
WATCH: Flooding rain slams the Gulf Coast
Images out of storm-wracked Louisiana
Much of central and southeastern Louisiana is under severe storm conditions as of Wednesday afternoon.
Accuweather has been monitoring the conditions in the area and shared a number of images showing the intensity of the storms in the region.
Numerous, successive lighting blasts light up the early morning sky in one part of the state while torrential downpours reduce a driver’s visibility to zero in another.
The severe weather is expected to intensify as the day continues.
New Orleans under flash flood emergency
A flash flood emergency has been called for New Orleans as severe storms dump water on southeastern Louisiana.
Numerous roads and underpasses around New Orleans are inaccessible around 11am due to flooding. Rainfall rates reached 1 to 3 inches per hour across much of the affected region, though some isolated spots reportedly saw up to 4 inches of rain per hour Wednesday morning.
The National Weather Service station in New Orleans warned that windpseeds could reach up to 71mph and bring with them thunderstorms.
Almost 150,000 customers without power in Louisiana
Nearly 150,000 power customers are in the dark due to severe thunderstorms in the central and southeastern portions of the state.
“Crews are out making repairs where the storm has cleared and it’s safe to do so,” Entergy spokesperson Brandon Scardigli told NOLA.com. “The most dangerous part of any storm is just after it has passed. We want to remind everyone to stay away from downed power lines and areas of debris.”
WATCH: Severe storm causes warnings across the south-central US
Tornado touches down in Louisiana town, causing damage and injuring several
At least one tornado touched down in Slidell, Louisiana and eastern St Tammany Parish on Wednesday morning.
The twister damaged buildings, knocked down powerlines, and caused multiple minor and moderate injuries, according to Slidell police.
Emergency crews were still on site helping victims and assessing the damage on Wednesday afternoon. More than 25,000 customers were left without power due to the storm.
No fatalities have been reported.
1 dead in Mississippi due to severe storms, widespread power outages
Severe storms in Mississippi have reportedly killed one person and have damaged dozens of homes.
Storms beginning Tuesday night and continuing into Wednesday flooded some areas and knocked down trees onto cars and into roadways.
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency reports that one person died in Scott County and another person was injured in Grenada County. No details regarding the death or injury were provided.
Approximately 72 homes have been damaged by the storms, and Entergy Mississippi reported widespread power outages affecting thousands.
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