Wednesday's live blog: Dangerous severe threat for the South

An intense severe storm and a flood threat extended across the South on Wednesday. This live blog was updated throughout the day on Wednesday with details on severe storms and flash flooding.

New Orleans remains is in a Flood Emergency, with roads and businesses flooded after 5 to 10 inches of rain fell since early this morning. Here is the latest:

Flooded streets remain a problem in New Orleans. The New Orleans Police Department is encouraging drivers to avoid areas with standing water.

The National Weather Service has confirmed that an EF-2 tornado with maximum winds of 115 mph and a path that was one mile long hit Lake Charles, La., this morning.

Power outages continue across the South as powerful storms move through. Here are the current numbers of customers without power.

New Orleans is under a Flash Flood Emergency until 2 p.m. CT as waters continue to rise across the metro. Numerous roads are closed and residents are urged to move to higher ground.

Extensive damage has been reported in Slidell, La., after a possible tornado moved through the area. More than 50 people were rescued from a damaged apartment complex. Authorities are responding to the damage, and mild to moderate injuries have been reported. There are no reports of major injuries or fatalities.

Gusty winds have been knocking down trees across the South, and power outages are growing. As of this update, more than 184,000 customers are without power in Louisiana, with just over 48,000 without power in Mississippi, and 48,000 without power in Texas.

Street flooding is ongoing in the New Orleans metro as heavy downpours move through.

US 96 through Kirbyville, Texas, has been shut down for traffic. Multiple water rescues have been needed and the area remains flooded. Flash flooding remains a concern throughout the remainder of the day. A moderate risk, a level three out of four, of excessive rain is in place along the Gulf Coast through Thursday morning.

Storms have been firing up this morning on the WeatherRadar, with more on the way throughout the day. Already there has been a possible tornado in Lake Charles, La., and a flash flood emergency in Kirbyville, Texas.