Schools close in Louisiana as severe weather, tornadoes threaten South

A major storm system threatens strong tornadoes, damaging winds and hail southward Wednesday, with severe weather extending from Louisiana to Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.

A life-threatening emergency has been triggered in New Orleans.

More than 170,000 customers are without power Wednesday morning in Louisiana and many schools across the state are closed.

In Yazoo County, Mississippi, just north of Jackson, the sheriff’s office is urging residents of a subdivision to evacuate immediately.

“The levee is about to break on the lake and homes will be flooded,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement. “Please come out as soon as possible!!!”

A tornado watch has been issued in Florida, Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi, including the cities of New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Jackson.

“Intense tornadoes” are possible and wind gusts up to 80 mph are likely, the National Weather Service said.

Dangerous storms will extend across Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama through Wednesday evening.

The storm already dumped up to 15 inches of rain in East Texas overnight, with flash floods submerging cars and buildings underwater.