The first bands of rain from Tropical Storm Barry are beginning to hit land in the US Deep South, as officials warn of a life-threatening storm surge.
The storm is the first major test of flood defences that were strengthened after Hurricane Katrina devastated the region 14 years ago.
Mandatory evacuations have been ordered as Tropical Storm Barry is poised to make landfall
Barry is the first tropical storm of the season and is due to make landfall this afternoon.
Louisiana and parts of Mississippi expected to suffer the most damage.
Storm clouds approach Santa Rosa Beach in Seaside, Florida, on Friday. Pic: Mark Fulford
Tourists have been trying to leave the states before the worst of the weather arrives but those who have not evacuated have been stocking up on supplies and filling sandbags.
About 3,000 National Guard troops have been deployed, bringing helicopters and vehicles capable of moving in high water.
In exposed areas of the Gulf Coast, people have been told to consider leaving their homes but residents in New Orleans have been advised to “shelter in place”.
There are 1.3 million people at risk from flooding in the city area and floodgates have been closed.
Shortly before dawn this morning, more than 45,000 people in southern Louisiana had lost power.
Barry is slow-moving and is expected to arrive as a weak hurricane with winds barely more than 74mph but authorities have warned people that its real danger is in the rain.
A man is helped from his stranded car
New Orleans prepares for Storm Barry
Governor John Bel Edwards said: “Nobody should take this storm lightly just because it’s supposed to be a Category 1 when it makes landfall.
“The real danger in this storm was never about the wind anyway. It’s always been about the rain.”
Between 10 to 20 inches (25 to 50cm) of rain could fall across parts of Louisiana, including New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Parts of the state could see 25 inches (63cm).
Alligator spotted on flooded road
The beach at Long Beach in Mississippi covered with sea water. Pic: Alex North
Some coastal roads were already under water on Friday as the heavy rain started to arrive.
Forecasters have told people in New Orleans that the Mississippi river is expected to crest there at just over 17ft – not the 19ft that had been feared. The levees protecting the city are between 20ft and 25ft.
Hurricane Katrina is estimated to have killed more than 1,800 people in 2005.
Hurricane Katrina devastated Louisiana in 2005, especially New Orleans
After that, New Orleans, which bore the brunt of the tragedy, invested a great deal in its flood defences.
There were repairs and upgrades to 350 miles of levees and more than 70 pumping stations and the army also started work on a hurricane protection system.
