New Orleans braced for flooding rain on Wednesday as torrential downpours unleashed a "flash flood emergency" across the southeastern Louisiana city.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a stark warning at 7:30 am, sending a ripple of concern through the region.
By early morning, the rainfall had transformed streets into rivers, with floodwaters reported at countless intersections and roadways throughout the city, according to traffic monitoring service Streetwise.
The rising tide overwhelmed drainage systems, leading to the closure of at least five underpasses by 1 pm. These closures included critical thoroughfares on Canal Street, Marconi Drive, Gentilly Boulevard, Franklin Avenue, and Carrollton Avenue.