Published: May 2,2016
The region has been plagued by flooding in recent months, and the additional rainfall has brought fears that swollen rivers will rise even further before the wet weather ends. More than 6 inches of rain fell in southwestern Louisiana before dawn Sunday, forcing the closure of Interstate 49 Sunday morning.
(FORECAST: More Severe Thunderstorms, Flooding Rain Target South, Mississippi Valley)
Here are the latest state-by-state impacts.
Texas
In the eastern Texas town of Palestine, a grandmother and her four great-grandchildren were swept away by floodwaters, NBC DFW reported. The bodies of the five victims were discovered by police in the 100 Block of Timber Drive early Saturday morning as officials were responding to reports of rising floodwaters.
Authorities found the body of a sixth victim, who had also been swept under by floodwaters, later Saturday.
"The water got up here extraordinarily quickly. The individuals tried to get out, however, the water was already on the roof of the home," Palestine Police Department Capt. James Muniz said.
According to KTBS, there were reports that the floodwaters had reached as high as the roofs of houses and evacuations were underway.
The deceased have been identified as Lenda Asberry, 64, her four great-grandchildren – Venetia Asberry, 9, Devonte Asberry, 8, Von Anthony Johnson Jr., 7, and Jamonika Johnson, 6 – and Giovani Olivas, 30, according to the Associated Press.
"We are devastated because of it." Palestine Assistant Fire Chief Kyle Betterton told The Weather Channel. "Everybody is working feverishly, using every resource they can to get to the people and help the people."
Lenda
Asberry, 64, and her four grandchildren ages 6, 7, 8 and 9, were
tragically killed when their home in Palestine, Texas, flooded early in
the morning of April 30, 2016. (Facebook)
Resident Ricky Morton has also put together a GoFundMe page to help with funeral expenses for the family that was killed in the flooding.
Wet conditions in Texas possibly played a role in a seventh fatality in Marshall Saturday. The Marshall News Messenger reports that a woman has been confirmed dead after a three-vehicle collision north of the city. An 18-wheeler and two other vehicles were involved in the wreck, which took place at the intersection of U.S. 59 and Dorchester Road.
Eddie Hoffpauir, who witnessed the crash from his home across the highway, told the Messenger that the woman was driving south when she began to slide across the roadway and crossed the median into the oncoming 18-wheeler's path. Hoffpauir says the truck driver slammed on his brakes, but there was "nothing he could do." The truck ran over the car and careened into a telephone pole.
Major wreck on US 59 north of #Marshall A JP has been called http://mnmtx.co/s/n/383497/
Louisiana
More than 8,500 people in the state were without power at one point Sunday as the line of storms moved east, Entergy Louisiana said.The Pontchartrain Causeway Bridge was closed Sunday morning due to severe weather that moved over the lake, according to WDSU.com. Thunderstorms and high winds affected visibility for several hours, but the bridge was reopened to traffic just after noon.
In Lake Charles, swift-moving swept away two vehicles, which ended up wedged under a small footbridge, WVUE-TV reported. Lake Charles Fire Department crews spent the morning rescuing people from cars that were submerged or stalled in the high water.
This is what happens when people attempt to drive through flood waters (7th and Bank). Can't say we didn't warn you.
The National Weather Service said floodwaters entered homes in Carencro around 10 a.m. local time.
Heavy rain and storms on Sunday suspended the PGA Tour's Zurich Classic golf tournament in Avondale for the second time in two days, WDSU.com reported. Saturday was a washout when rain and storms moved into the area, and players were removed from the course again Sunday morning as more inclement weather moved in.
Inclement weather also affected the multi-day New Orleans Jazz Festival, Nola.com reported. The festival was forced to shut down early on Saturday, but headliners who were unable to take to the stage decided that the show must go on.
Stevie Wonder played an impromptu show at Irvin Mayfield's Playhouse. The Lone Bellow, which was due to perform at the Fais Do-Do Stage at Jazz Fest, did a 30-minute show at the Ace Hotel's Three Keys. Festival organizers ended up honoring Saturday's tickets for Sunday's shows.
South Carolina
Georgia
A grandmother and granddaughter were rescued from their vehicle in Alpharetta on Saturday after a falling limb trapped them inside. The Alpharetta Department of Public Safety posted on its Facebook page that the two were safe and did not suffer any injuries in the incident.Downed trees and power lines were reported throughout the Atlanta metro area. One large tree reportedly fell on a blind elderly woman's house in Southwest Atlanta according to WSB-TV. Another large tree fell on the famous "Madea Simmons' House" that was prominently featured in several of director Tyler Perry's films.
Arkansas
Water rescues were underway in western portions of Lewisville Saturday morning according to the NWS, and several homes in Gin City were underwater as well.On Friday, strong winds blew through Greenbrier, badly damaging the second story and roof of a bed-and-breakfast, the NWS also reported.
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