On Tuesday, twisters, damaging winds and large hail are possible as a strong system moves into Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi.

Second Liners co-chair Pinkey Lewis says the parade began with Bettye Pollard, the club’s founder, envisioning extending a taste of the Krewe of Zulu from Louisiana to Mississippi. The parade has done just that – now rolling with more than 70 units.

More than 55 million people across the central and southern US are at risk of severe weather on Tuesday as a violent storm sweeps across the country, bringing the potential for blizzard conditions, tornadoes and fire weather.

Powerful storms with a threat of tornadoes are expected to punch through Louisiana and other parts of the South on Tuesday just as huge parades and costumed revelers are set to celebrate Mardi

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Officials rushed to reschedule Mardi Gras celebrations and warned revelers against brining umbrellas and tents as powerful storms with a threat of tornadoes were expected to strike Louisiana and other parts of the South on Tuesday.

Severe weather is threatening the celebrations in New Orleans, causing parade cancellations amid safety concerns.

Jefferson Parish canceled its parades, and officials in New Orleans were warily watching the Tuesday forecast.