Flash flooding washes out downtown New Orleans as brutal storms slamming the Gulf Coast with hail, rain and 70mph winds leaving 180K without power and schools closed

Severe storms are battering the Gulf Coast, bringing flash floods and tornado warnings for millions from Texas to the Florida panhandle. 

Flooding and high winds have shut down roads across the south, prompting schools and offices to close Wednesday.  In New Orleans, floods had washed out downtown making it difficult for cars to traverse the roads. 

Heavy rain, flash flooding and severe weather threat associated with an intensifying low-pressure system is forecast to sweep across the region, according to the National Weather Service.

'We believe there will be double-digit tornadoes produced by the severe weather outbreak, and multiple tornadoes could be on the ground at the same time on Wednesday despite less-than-perfect atmospheric conditions,' AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said.

Forecasters said strong damaging winds, which may exceed 75 mph, could wreak havoc across the region knocking down trees and poles.

As of 12 p.m. ET on Wednesday, 172,226 customers are without power in Louisiana, 49,231 in Mississippi and 45,318 in Texas, according to Poweroutage.us.

Here is what is happening across the Gulf Coast 

TEXAS

In the Lone Star State, several people were rescued from homes and vehicles Wednesday morning when flooding inundated parts of Jasper County, near the Louisiana line, authorities said.

'The City of Kirbyville remains under water and is still the major concern at this time,' the Jasper County Sheriff's Office said on social media.

All major roads into Kirbyville, a town of about 2,000 people, were shut down early Wednesday due to the flooding, the sheriff's office said.

In the Houston suburb of Katy, strong thunderstorms that passed through the area around 2 a.m. Wednesday collapsed part of the roof of a Firestone repair shop.

 Storms also damaged businesses and cars in a nearby strip mall, including sending a large air conditioning unit that had been on the roof crashing to the parking lot, officials said. 

LOUISIANA 

In Louisiana, state office buildings closed Wednesday since the storms were expected to blast 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 affect large trucks.

The National Weather Service issues a flash flood emergency in New Orleans, Chalmette and Meraux until 2 p.m. CT, as heavy rainfall made it impossible to cross roads.

In Slidell, just outside New Orleans, multiple people were injured and first responders were scouring neighborhoods after reports of a tornado touching down Wednesday morning.

'They had businesses that partially collapsed, apartment complexes. Trees are down everywhere, power lines are down everywhere,' said Daniel Suezeneau, a spokesperson for Slidell police.

One of the nation´s largest universities - Louisiana State University - announced its campus would close Wednesday due to 'the developing severe weather situation.'

MISSISSIPPI

Video shows hail storms pounding down through central Mississippi Tuesday night, reported WJTV.

Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones said multiple trees and power lines are down throughout western and northern Hinds County, including Learned, Raymond, Old Port Gibson Road and Pocahontas.  

Governor Tate Reeves said 12 homes were damaged in Hinds County, two homes damaged in Neshoba County, one home destroyed in Warren County, as well as eight homes damaged and one house destroyed in Yazoo County, as of Wednesday.

Downed trees have resulted in multiple roads being closed in Hinds and Yazoo County.

'It's extremely important to keep in mind that our state is expected to experience more severe weather today,' the governor said.

'There's a real possibility that the situation could get worse before it gets better. Please prepare in advance of today's storms — it can be the difference between life and death and keeping your family safe.'

ALABAMA  

The Alabama Department of Transportation reported a flooded roadway on eastbound Interstate 90 near the I-10 interchange in Spanish Fort that is causing moderate delays Wednesday morning.

Dozens of school districts announced early dismissals due to the risks of tornadoes, according to AL.com.

The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch for Sumter, Marengo, Dallas, and Lowndes counties until 5 p.m.

Forecasters said the main flooding threat is across southern Alabama where they predict two to four inches of rain is possible. 

Waterfront Rescue Mission opened its severe weather shelter for individuals seeking temporary shelter from the storm, reported WEAR.

FLORIDA 

As the severe storms approach the Florida panhandle, one school district closed and two are having an early dismissal, reported Pensacola News Journal.

Escambia County Public Schools and district offices closed, the Santa Rosa School District will follow an early release schedule and Okaloosa County schools will dismiss one hour earlier.

A tornado watch was issued for Escambia, Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties until 5 p.m. 

The National Weather Service forecasted storms could bring wind gusts up to 80 mph, strong tornadoes and quarter-sized hail to the area.