At least 24 inches of rain fell in the hardest hit places, causing chaos for rescue workers

Six people have died in southern states as a result of widespread flooding and extreme weather which has submerged homes, prompted large evacuations and caused chaos for authorities and rescue workers.

Now around two million people are bracing for more bad weather this week.

Heavy rain and rising rivers have affected Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee and Texas over the last week, according to The Weather Channel.

In Louisiana, authorities evacuated close to 3,300 people and hundreds of pets. Around 5,000 homes in the state were damaged by flooding, with 800 houses in Mississippi also affected.

Up to 24 inches of rain fell in some places and the impacts are expected to continue over the coming days and weeks as the rivers continue to rise.

The AP reported that Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency for the entire state and sent 1,000 soldiers and air crews to help with rescues. President Obama signed an order declaring the flood in the state an emergency on Sunday.

Four deaths were reported last Wednesday in Louisiana, all as a result of driving or traveling on flooded roads.

A 78-year-old man’s boat overturned while he attempted to cross a flooded section of highway. A 75-year-old man also died when he crossed a flooded highway in his car.

Another 22-year-old man drowned after his car was swept off the road by floodwater.

A six-year-old girl also died when her mother lost control of the car they were driving in.

The river along the Mississippi-Louisiana border could reach 21 feet, according to the National Weather Service forecasts, the same height as experienced during the 1983 flood, the AP said.

In Oklahoma, a 30-year-old man drowned in his car after trying to cross a flooded bridge. His passenger managed to swim to safety.

A Mississippi sheriff’s deputy was hospitalized after his patrol car skidded into a ditch last Friday, and he is reportedly recovering at home.

Six tornadoes were confirmed in Texas last week after the recent spell of extreme weather.

Strong winds have torn the roofs from houses and petrol stations. One man was taken to hospital when winds peeled a roof off a building and dumped it on top of a van, according to the Dallas Morning News.

In the same state, a 22-year-old man drowned after he went kayak fishing before a storm approached.