Dangerous tornado and flooding situation unfolding in South

The Masters has delayed opening its gates for the tournament on Thursday due to the forecasted weather, it announced on Wednesday.

Tournament organizers said the next update regarding Thursday’s schedule will occur no later than 3 a.m. ET.

The 2024 Masters is scheduled to tee off Thursday and run through Sunday at Augusta National Golf Course in Augusta, Georgia.

Some of the powerful storms tracking through parts of the southern United States on Wednesday night will likely be ongoing as the sun rises Thursday. These storms will push east before moving into the Atlantic Ocean later in the afternoon. 

The tornado that moved through Slidell, Louisiana, on Wednesday morning has preliminarily been rated an EF-1, according to the National Weather Service. 

An EF-1 tornado has winds of 86 to 110 mph.

A firefighter clears debris in the aftermath of severe storms that swept through the region in Slidell, Louisiana, on Wednesday.

At least 10 people are injured in Slidell, Louisiana, following a possible tornado, according to police.

Those injured were taken to the local hospital for treatment, Sgt. Jake Morris with the Slidell Police Department told CNN.

All the injuries are either minor or moderate and there are no reports of life-threatening injuries, he added.

The severe storm threat that impacted the Deep South and Gulf Coast today is decreasing, according to the Storm Prediction Center.

There is a small area of southeastern Alabama, southwestern Georgia and the Florida Panhandle that is now a Level 3 out of 5, but there is no longer a Level 4 of 5 risk. The Level 3 that remains is largely the same as the tornado watch that remains in effect until 9 pm. ET.

The population at risk of severe storms has been reduced to less than 5 million as the threat ends over the western and central Gulf Coast.

The storms that caused hours of torrential rainfall and flood emergencies across the greater New Orleans area have moved east and brought an end to the life-threatening bout of flash flooding.

The deluge came in such a short period that it overwhelmed New Orleans’ drainage system and turned some roadways into rivers.

More than half a foot of rain pounded New Orleans in less than 12 hours and rainfall amounts approached double-digits just to the west of the city in Laplace, Louisiana.

Top rainfall reports in the state Wednesday as of 2:30 p.m. ET (1:30 p.m. CT):

Flooding issues will linger. Even after the last raindrops cease it takes floodwaters hours or even days to recede depending on their depth.

Rain and storms move east of New Orleans Wednesday afternoon.

Severe thunderstorms will threaten the South once again Thursday. Some powerful storms from Wednesday night will likely be ongoing as the sun rises Thursday. These storms will push east before tracking into the Atlantic Ocean later in the afternoon. 

A Level 2 of 5 risk for severe thunderstorms is in place Thursday from Florida to far southern South Carolina. The main threats with any storms will be damaging winds and drenching rain, but a tornado or two is also possible.

Unlike today, areas farther north will also be at risk for severe thunderstorms. A separate area of storms will center on the Ohio Valley from early Thursday afternoon to Thursday evening. These storms could pack a bigger punch than the ones farther south Thursday. 

A Level 3 of 5 risk of severe thunderstorms is in place in western West Virginia and eastern Ohio. Multiple tornadoes are possible in this area, mainly during the late afternoon and evening. Damaging wind gusts and hail are likely in any storm.

Severe storms are pounding the southern United States on Wednesday, triggering powerful thunderstorms and tornado warnings. The worst storms will slowly track out of Louisiana and Mississippi but persist in Alabama this afternoon.

Parts of the New Orleans metro area are at risk for deadly flash flooding as the city and surrounding towns are inundated by heavy rainfall.

Here’s a look at what happened so far:

Louisiana

Texas

Mississippi

Why flash flooding is so dangerous: Flash flooding is weather’s number-two killer, claiming more lives than anything but heat. It can happen when storms roll over the same areas for hours, with intense rain falling faster than the soil can absorb. Dangerous flash flooding turns roads into rivers and can wash out entire sections of seemingly solid ground.

Thunderstorms will continue to pound the southern US on Wednesday, but the greatest risk of damaging, dangerous storms will slowly shift east during the remainder of the afternoon and through the evening.

The worst storms will slowly track out of Louisiana and Mississippi but persist in Alabama this afternoon. Severe storms should clear Louisiana by 6 to 7 p.m. CT and Mississippi by 7 to 8 p.m. CT.

Fierce storms pushed into the Florida Panhandle just a short time ago and will continue to track across the northern half of the state through Wednesday night.

Parts of Georgia could face a few severe thunderstorms from Wednesday evening into Thursday.

Any storm could produce damaging wind gusts, hail, flooding rainfall and even a tornado. The greatest risk for tornadoes – some reaching at least EF2 strength – for the remainder of the day will center on southern Alabama and the Florida Panhandle.

The line of storms will start to lose potency Wednesday night, but some storms will survive and create additional concerns Thursday.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) said there was at least one storm-related death in Scott County as severe weather impacts the area Wednesday.

MEMA also said one person was injured in Grenada County, and there are damaged homes, downed trees, blocked roads, and ongoing power outages due to the storms. 

Statewide, counties have reported that 72 homes were damaged, ranging from “affected” to “destroyed” in Grenada, Hinds, Marshall, Scott, Warren and Yazoo counties, according to MEMA.

A new tornado watch has been issued for southeastern Alabama, southwestern Georgia and the Florida Panhandle, according to the Storm Prediction Center.

This watch is in effect until 9 p.m. ET (8 p.m. CT) and includes Panama City and Tallahassee, Florida.

The cluster of storms moving east along the Gulf Coast will move into this region during the mid-to-late afternoon with the potential for damaging winds and a few tornadoes, the SPC said.

A flash flood emergency is overwhelming New Orleans’ complex network of pumps and other “aged” floodwater-mitigating infrastructure, according to the agency that manages it.

Roughly 4 inches of rain and exceptional rainfall rates nearing 5 inches per hour were reported at some pumping stations. The extreme rainfall rates are surpassing what the pumps can usually handle, Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans officials told CNN.

Because parts of the area are below sea level, the city has to rely on a complex pumping system to prevent severe flooding. While some drainage infrastructure relies on gravity, most are fueled by electricity-powered pumps. During heavy rainfall, the pumps can get overwhelmed to the point they can no longer remove water fast enough, causing floodwater to build.

Seven drainage pumps in New Orleans were also out of service. Two of the pumps are out of service due to routine maintenance, while the rest are either out for refurbishment or out due to issues with the electric motor, the water board said.

One of the power generators for the pumps, Turbine 4, is also unavailable, according to SWBNO.

“We have one of the most active, complex, and aged drainage systems in the world in a city that sits half below sea level,” Birch said. “Our thoughts are with our surrounding neighbors in the region who are experiencing more intense rain, high winds, and tornadoes.” 

More of the New Orleans metro is at risk for life-threatening flash flooding as torrential rainfall deluges the area.

An additional flash flood emergency was issued Wednesday afternoon for areas just west and south of New Orleans.

This new warning includes over 500,000 people and lasts until 4:45 p.m. ET (3:45 p.m. CT). In total, over 900,000 people in New Orleans and surrounding areas are under flash flood emergencies.

“Flash flooding is already occurring,” and damage could be catastrophic, the National Weather Service warned Wednesday afternoon.

Up to 3 inches of additional rain is possible in the heaviest storms before precipitation eases later this afternoon.

At least 29 flights have been canceled today at New Orleans International Airport while another 82 have been delayed, according to the flight-tracking data company FlightAware.

The airport tops the list for delays and cancelations today, according to FlightAware.

Parts of Louisiana are experiencing severe weather. In Slidell, multiple people have been transported to a hospital after a possible tornado hit the town and police there are working on rescuing people.

Multiple people have been transported to a hospital after a possible tornado hit the town of Slidell in Louisiana, according to St. Tammany Parish.

There are currently two open shelters in the parish, located at John Slidell Park gym and the recreation center in Lacombe, the parish said. 

The Slidell Police Department in Louisiana is working on rescuing people after a possible tornado hit the area on Wednesday, according to Slidell public information officer Daniel Seuzeneau.

According to Seuzeneau, the police department rescued about 50 people from an apartment complex. Some of the rescued residents had minor injuries, but no fatalities have been reported, Seuzeneau said.

“I pray it stays this way; we have no reports of major injuries or fatalities,” he said. “If we somehow can make it out without any fatalities, it’s a miracle.”

Storm damage is seen in Katy, Texas, on Wednesday.

An EF-1 tornado struck a Houston suburb early Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.

The full damage survey was still ongoing Wednesday afternoon, but damage in the town was consistent with an EF-1 tornado packing 90 mph maximum winds, according to the service.

Other information, including the tornado’s complete path, will be finalized when survey teams finish assessing damage.

There were no injuries from the storm in Katy, which damaged a strip mall and neighboring car maintenance business. 

The tornado struck the businesses while they were still closed, which Assistant Fire Chief Mark Donovan said was also a stroke of good luck.

“I think we’re very fortunate that this took place when it did,” said Donovan.

Storm damage is seen in Katy, Texas, on Wednesday.

CNN meteorologist Mary Gilbert contributed to this report.

A video posted to X shows the torrential rainfall New Orleans is dealing with at the moment. The city is under a flash flood emergency until until 3 p.m. ET (2 p.m. CT).

“Emergency management reported many roads in and around New Orleans are currently under water and impassible,” the National Weather Service in New Orleans said.

At least 3 inches of rain have fallen in a short period of time, with more expected.

A line of powerful and dangerous severe thunderstorms is crossing the Mississippi and Alabama border. The line of storms is showing a bowed shape on radar, a sign it will unleash strong winds in its path.

Wind gusts of 70 mph are possible with any storms in this line in southwest Alabama, according to National Weather Service warnings. Tornado warnings were issued for parts of this line of storms in Louisiana and Mississippi, so prepare for tornadoes in Alabama, too.

The storms will also bring hail and gushing rainfall that could cause flooding issues.

People stand outside a heavily damaged building in Slidell, Louisiana, on Wednesday.

The police department in Slidell, Louisiana, is warning residents to stay indoors and find a safe place, after a possible tornado hit the area Wednesday morning and left extensive damage in the city. 

Slidell is northeast of New Orleans.

According to the police department, several homes, businesses, apartment complexes, and power lines were damaged in south Slidell.

“We are slammed busy right now, and things are not safe. Road conditions are not safe. Stay home, stay off the roads,” he said.

Videos posted by the Slidell Police Department’s Facebook page show downed power lines and damaged businesses.

Floodwaters are seen on a street in New Orleans on Wednesday.

Torrential rainfall has triggered a flash flood emergency for the New Orleans metro and areas to the east until 3 p.m. ET (2 p.m. CT).

More than 400,000 people are at risk for life-threatening flash flooding, the National Weather Service warned.

At least 3 inches of rain have already fallen across the city since the early morning hours. Gushing rainfall of up to 2 inches of rain per hour continues to fall across the area.