Torrential rainfall ravaged the south in parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas until early Saturday


Thunderstorms forced the cancellation of Saturday's late acts at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, including scheduled appearances by Stevie Wonder, rapper Snoop Dogg, Beck and others.

Overcast skies turned to rain around 3pm but that didn't stop the music as fans reveled in such acts as New Orleans bounce artist Big Freedia, Dr. John and the Nite Trippers and Hurray for the Riff Raff.

But all that changed an hour later as heavier rain barred performances by Wonder and others.

'We're very bummed,' said attendee Laura Monsted, of New Orleans.

'We were waiting for Stevie. Still, we're thankful for the acts we were able to see.'

New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival was forced to cancel major acts like Snoop Dogg and Stevie Wonder because of thunderstorms

Overcast skies turned to rain around 3pm but that didn't stop the music as fans reveled in the acts that were able to perform on Saturday

Water quickly flooded knee-high and some Jazz Fest goers need help trudging the deep waters in the venue as stages shut down

The Acura Stage area flooded after the storm dumped several inches of rain on the second Saturday of the New Orleans Jazz Fest at the Fair Grounds

Ponchos weren't enough to protect the New Orleans Jazz Fest from the harsh weather that rocked the south over the weekend

Guests abandoned chairs and tarps as murky, muddied waters flooded the area. People crowded on dry patches of land to escape to waters

Some fans even appeared to be swimming through the waters as the rose, even though the rising waters only reached knee-high

Some Jazz Fest attendees were not going to be deterred by the massive rainfall trouncing the south and continued to enjoy the festival

Monsted and her friends said they saw crews closing down the Fais Do Do stage and expressed disappointment.

'You know, $75 is a lot for a rainy day and, to only get a few acts, that's a hard pill to swallow,' she said.

Claire Mangano and her friend, Emilee Margiotta, appeared glum that the big acts were cancelled.

'But we understand,' Mangano said. 'It's for safety reasons, for the fans and the artists. We live here and know playing in this kind of weather can get dangerous really fast.'

The festival, which began on April 22, will end on Sunday, May 1, with a 60 per cent or higher chance of more rain in the forecast

Scheduled performances are to include Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, Chris Botti, Arlo Guthrie, Neil Young and Bonnie Raitt on Sunday

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas until early Saturday

Mud puddles formed throughout the infield of the Fair Grounds Race Course, where the festival is held annually, on Saturday

Tornadoes snaked across northern and eastern Texas, including in Lindale, and southern Oklahoma, causing severe damage as it knocked down tree limbs and power lines

Floods wracked the south over the weekend as a flash flood devastated parts of Texas and tornadoes ravaged southern Oklahoma

The start of the day at the Gentilly Stage second Saturday of the New Orleans Jazz Fest at the Fair Grounds, before the rain washed out the show

Mud puddles formed throughout the infield of the Fair Grounds Race Course, where the festival is held annually. Fans, ready for the worst, donned rain coats, ponchos and rubber boots. Many held up umbrellas, while others braved the elements without any cover and sometimes without shoes, dancing even as rain pelted them.

Jarrod Broussard and his wife, Tammy, come to the festival every year — rain or shine.

Tammy Broussard, who is fighting cancer, said they decided to attend because 'I'm going through chemo and today is a good day.'

Broussard, who's also celebrating his birthday, said they were prepared for the forecast, bringing along rain gear and a change of clothes.

Artist Dwayne D. Conrad and art dealer Bernadette Gilds Pinel have a booth at the festival and had hoped to hear Wonder's performance.

A child members of the Black Mohawk Mardi Gras Indians performs at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans

'Spyboy Gusto' of the Mowhawk Hunters Mardi Gras Indians performs at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans

'Lil' Spyboy Man Man' of the Redhawk Hunters Mardi Gras Indians, performs with the group at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans

'Lil Queen Lola B' of the Flaming Arrows Mardi Gras Indians, performs on stage with the group at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans

A member of the Mowhawk Hunters Mardi Gras Indians performs at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans

Big Freedia performed to a large crowd on the Congo Square Stage, despite the rain, during day 6 of Jazz Fest at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans

Big Freedia holds the microphone out to the crowd during her performance on the Congo Square Stage during day 6 of Jazz Fest at the Fair Grounds

'We were robbed,' Gilds Pinel said, laughing after learning that his show wouldn't go on. 'God willing, he will pop up somewhere in the city tonight to make up for this.'

Todd Thompson and his wife, Rabiya, of Leavenworth, Kansas, said this was their first Jazz Fest experience. Despite the bad weather, they were having a good time.

'We were lucky enough to get inside one of the tents and heard Kermit Ruffins' set. It's been great for what we were able to see,' he said.

The festival ends on Sunday, with a 60 per cent or higher chance of more rain in the forecast. Scheduled performances are to include Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, Chris Botti, Arlo Guthrie, Neil Young and Bonnie Raitt.

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas until early Saturday.

Floods wracked the south over the weekend as a flash flood devastated parts of Texas and tornadoes ravaged southern Oklahoma.

Lenda Asbery, 62, and her four grandchildren were killed after being swept away from their home in Palestine, Texas, early Saturday morning.

City crews found the five bodies near one of the homes before dawn after the floodwaters had receded. One other person was killed in the flooding bringing the death toll to six.

Six to 10 homes in the cul-de-sac were severely damaged following heavy rainfall over the course of just a few minutes after midnight.

The captain said a dump truck was also used to rescue one man from the roof of a home.

A home in Fletcher, Oklahoma was also severely damaged but there were no injuries, officials said.

Tornadoes snaked across northern and eastern Texas, including in Lindale, and southern Oklahoma, causing severe damage as it knocked down tree limbs and power lines - slowing first-responders.

Big Freedia takes the Congo Square Stage to tumultuous applause during day 6 of Jazz Fest at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans