The Gulf Coast was hit by life-threatening storms Monday, causing severe flooding and shutting down roads, according to Fox News.
The National Weather Service announced a flash flood emergency in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and announced a hazardous weather outlook for parts of southwest Arkansas, east Texas, southeast Oklahoma and northwest Louisiana. Parts of Louisiana reported up to 12 inches of rain, according to USA Today.
The Office of the Louisiana State Fire Marshal stated that 80 rescues took place Monday night in Lake Charles. Democratic Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency, and schools in the area temporarily closed or moved online, according to Fox News.
Images on Twitter show flooding and abandoned cars.
Alarming amount of abandoned vehicles at Bluebonnet overpass following overnight floodinghttps://t.co/8WJAWBBErw https://t.co/aI5eRAWPSt
— WBRZ News (@WBRZ) May 18, 2021
A video posted on Twitter shows a father in Lake Charles taking his kids home from school on a kayak.
A father picking up his kids from school using a kayak on flooded Common St. in Lake Charles, Louisiana. pic.twitter.com/zb4RkBRx4S
— Jeremy Babineaux (@jeremybabs) May 17, 2021
“We have got to have a really close look and have a very bold and honest conversation about these weather events. They are happening more often,” Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter said, according to Fox News. “Climate change is something that is affecting this community.”
Another video posted to Twitter shows water flooding a diner as customers remain seated.
WATCH: New video from Lake Charles shows flood water making its way into a busy restaurant Monday.https://t.co/2UyFDd1EQG pic.twitter.com/qtiXdzAJQW
— WBRZ News (@WBRZ) May 17, 2021
Fannett, Texas, reported 18 inches of rain and Sterling City, Texas, reported that a tornado hit the city Tuesday morning, according to Fox News. (RELATED: Texas Attorney General Sues Energy Provider After Winter Storm Left Millions Without Power)
The National Weather Service expects dangerous conditions to continue Tuesday and major flooding to continue all week.