Airlines cancelled all flights using New Orleans airport overnight as Hurricane Francine struck the Louisiana coast.
It made landfall as a Category 2 storm at 5pm local time on Wednesday, bringing winds of 100 mph, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said.
Hundreds of thousands of residents were left without power after Francine hit the coast of Louisiana and pushed inland.
Louisiana and neighbouring Mississippi declared states of emergency and told residents to take shelter and brace for the major storm.
People in eastern Louisiana, Mississippi, southern Alabama and western Florida were warned of a life-threatening storm surge.
A tropical storm warning was issued for the area, with the hurricane expected to cause “considerable” flash and urban flooding with wind gusts up to hurricane force in parts of Louisiana, including New Orleans, the NHC warned.
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International airport said it would remain open “unless conditions become unsafe”.
But a statement said that airlines cancelled all flights after midday local time on Wednesday, with dozens of cancellations reported for this morning.
The airport said it “continues to monitor weather conditions and prepare for potential impacts from Hurricane Francine.
“Individual airlines determine if and when to cancel flights or resume operations based on weather conditions in the area.
“Passengers with travel scheduled in the coming days are advised to check directly with their airlines for the latest flight information before coming to the airport.”