UPDATED: Wednesday, April 22, 2020 -- 7:30 p.m.

MANSFIELD -- A flood-related death occurred in Mansfield, DeSoto Parish Sheriff Jayson Richardson confirmed.

At around 5:20 or 5:30 p.m., Mansfield Fire and Police Departments were notified of a man who had fallen in the water.

A witness reportedly saw the man lose his footing when attempting to retrieve his trash can from the water near a drainage ditch, Richardson said.

The current carried the man about 50-60 yards, where the body was recovered.

No other storm-related injuries or deaths have been reported in the parish as of 7:20 p.m. Wednesday. However, several Mansfield residents who were flooded in their homes had to be rescued, Richardson said.

“There was some pretty extreme flooding here in Mansfield. Water like I’ve not seen in many, many years, if ever,” he said.

"Basically the water rose really fast and we had to rescue some people out homes. I think we had about 20 or so homes that people were flooded in."

A temporary shelter was opened but residents who were rescued were able to make their own or find other arrangements.

“At this point, we’ve not had to shelter anybody,” Richardson said.

Updated: Wednesday, April 22, 2020 -- 5:55 p.m.

Northwest Louisiana is under a flash flood warning until 8:30 p.m. tonight.

The warning is for central Bossier Parish, southwestern Caddo Parish and northwestern DeSoto Parish. The warning is also effective for areas in east Texas.

At around 5:31 p.m., the Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area, according to the National Weather Service.

"Between 2 and 4 inches of rain have fallen. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly," the NWS warning read.

Small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets, underpasses as well as other drainage and low lying areas are likely to be impacted.

Updated: Wednesday, April 22, 2020 -- 5 p.m.

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for a large portion of Louisiana.

The watch is effective until midnight.

The parishes included in this watch: Allen, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Caldwell, Claiborne, DeSoto, Evangeline, Grant, Jackson, La Salle, Lincoln, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Rapides, Red River, Sabine, Union, Vernon, Webster and Winn.

Original: Wednesday, April 22, 2020 -- 11:46 a.m.

Northwest Louisiana is at an enhanced risk for severe weather today, according to the National Weather Service.

A severe weather advisory is in effect until 7 a.m. Thursday.

"Strong to severe thunderstorms, some of which could produce large hail, damaging wind gusts and isolated tornadoes are likely today before ending later tonight," read a hazardous weather outlook by the National Weather Service.

"In addition, excessive heavy rainfall will likely accompany this storm system with one to three inches of rainfall possible today through tonight."

Northwest Louisiana and portions of southern Arkansas and eastern Texas are also under a flash flood watch from 2 p.m. this afternoon until 7 a.m. Thursday.

"The ground remains saturated from previous rainfall last weekend. Thus, flash flooding will be of particular concern today into tonight, especially across flood prone and poor drainage areas," the weather outlook continued.

As of around 11 a.m. this morning, the Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Blanchard, or near Shreveport, moving northeast at 55 miles per hour, per the NWS. Nickel-sized hail and winds in excess of 40 miles per hour will be possible with this storm.

This report will be updated.

Emily Enfinger is the breaking news reporter for The Shreveport Times, covering crime and court. Follow her on Twitter at @EmilyEnfinger.

Have a news tip? Email Emily at eenfinger@gannett.com.