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EF-1 tornado struck Houston suburb early Wednesday, National Weather Service confirms
From CNN’s Rosa Flores and Sara Weisfeldt in Katy, Texas
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.
“We were very fortunate that this didn’t happen just a few hundred yards down,” NWS meteorologist Jeffry Evans said at the scene.
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.
CNN meteorologist Mary Gilbert contributed to this report.
Videos show streets flooding in New Orleans
From CNN's Eric Zerkel
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.
Dangerous storms crossing into Alabama
From CNN Meteorologist Mary Gilbert
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.
"Worst is yet to come": Slidell, Louisiana, police warn residents to stay indoors amid severe storms
From CNN’s Caroll Alvarado
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.
“This is the real deal,” Daniel Seuzeneau, public information officer for the police department, said in a video posted on Facebook. “The worst is yet to come with this weather. This is no joke. I’ve never seen the damage like I’ve seen right now from just a regular storm like this, a tornado. I can’t stress enough."
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.
Flash flood emergency happening in New Orleans
From CNN Meteorologist Mary Gilbert
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.
"This is a particularly dangerous situation. Seek higher ground now!" the weather service office in New Orleans warned. "Emergency management reported numerous roads in and around New Orleans are underwater and impassible."
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.
Tornado in progress in southern Mississippi
From CNN Meteorologist Mary Gilbert
A damaging tornado is tracking through southern Mississippi as storms strengthen in the South.
"At 10:25 am CDT, a confirmed tornado was located near Stennis Space Center, or 10 miles west of Diamondhead, moving northeast at 40 mph," the National Weather Service warned.
Hurricane-force wind gust reported in Louisiana
From CNN's Eric Zerkel
A line of powerful storms racing across Louisiana Wednesday morning produced wind gusts so strong that they were akin to the winds found in a Category 1 hurricane.
A wind gust of 83 mph was reported in Hackberry, in Cameron Parish, around 15 miles southwest of Lake Charles, Louisiana.
Category 1 hurricanes have winds of at least 74 mph, but those are sustained winds, and this report was just a singular, sudden burst of wind. Regardless, the storm was capable of significant damage.
The dangerous storms prompted the National Weather Service in New Orleans to issue the highest possible severe thunderstorm warning on Wednesday morning, telling people in parts of Baton Rouge to prepare for "destructive ... hurricane-force" winds that could easily damage homes and knock out power.
A wind gust of 71 mph was reported in east New Orleans with several other gusts topping 60 mph across the state.
Destructive storms approaching New Orleans
From CNN meteorologist Mary Gilbert
Ferocious and dangerous storms are pushing into the New Orleans metro area. These are "destructive storms" with hurricane-force winds, the National Weather Service in New Orleans warned.
"Mobile homes will be heavily damage. Expect considerable damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles," the service warned.
The line of storms is moving east at a very quick pace of 55 mph and will produce wind gusts up to 80 mph — equivalent to a Category 1 hurricane.
Torrential rainfall and hail are also likely within this line of storms.
Tornado watch issued in Alabama and the Florida Panhandle
From CNN's Eric Zerkel
Atornado watchhas been issued by the Storm Prediction Center for more than 1.5 million people living in southern Alabama, including Mobile, and portions of the Florida Panhandle, including Pensacola, until 6 p.m. ET (5 p.m. CT).
Storms moving through the region in the coming hours will likely produce "a few tornadoes ... with a couple intense tornadoes possible," the storm center said. "Widespread damaging winds and isolated significant gusts to 80 mph [are] likely."
