Flooding hits U.S. cities on Earth Day as deadly storms leave destruction behind

Parts of the United States are grappling with dangerous flood conditions this Earth Day.

(CNN)- Parts of the United States are grappling with dangerous flood conditions this Earth Day, following a weekend of deadly storms that have left communities underwater and families grieving. In the New Orleans area, sudden flooding turned roads into rivers, catching commuters off guard during Monday evening’s rush hour. Dramatic videos captured the chaos.

“This is insane,” one person is heard saying over the sound of rushing water. “I’m in a truck, SUV, and the water is like almost halfway at my doors. It’s crazy out here.”

Some residents, like Lokey Osama, found themselves stranded for extended periods. “Welcome to NOLA River,” he said in a video. “I’ve been stuck here for like 30 minutes.” Others pointed out the scale of the flooding. “Do you see all the cars? Look around,” said Elmer Barton, surveying the gridlock and submerged vehicles. Commuters faced stalled cars, flooded roadways, and at least one reported crash. Mohammed Sarsour shared the frustration of many stuck on the road. “When was your shift supposed to end?” he was asked. “Five o’clock,” he replied. “When do you think you’ll get home?” “Nine o’clock.”

In response to the high river levels, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers conducted a test of a spillway north of New Orleans. “We’re expecting [the water] to crest at 16.5 feet on April 30th,” said Matt Roe with the Corps. “As y’all can see behind me, the river is pushing through the structure itself.”

Flooding was also reported in parts of the Houston area as heavy rain swept through southeast Texas.

Meanwhile, Oklahoma is mourning the loss of several lives following the weekend storms. Among the victims were two children and their mothers, swept away by rapidly rising floodwaters. Emergency crews carried out dozens of high-water rescues across the state.