Louisiana
Get These 6 Items Out of Your Car Before a Freeze in Louisianaf
When it comes to handling the cold, we Louisianians might find ourselves a bit out of our element. Sure, we’re more accustomed to the humid heat of the bayou than frosty nights and early mornings, but winter has its own way of surprising us down here in the boot. Just like those disrespectful summer days demand certain precautions, the chilly season calls for its own set of rules – especially when it comes to what we leave in our cars. Here are six items you definitely don’t want to leave in your vehicle when a cold snap comes knocking.
“Winter” in Louisiana
Down in Louisiana, winter isn’t always what you’d expect. Sure, we might see the calendar hit December and think of festive snowfalls, but our reality often includes milder temperatures and the occasional unexpected cold snap. One day, we might be enjoying a comfortable 70 degrees, and the next, a cold front sweeps in, dropping temperatures dramatically. It’s these sudden changes that can catch us, and our belongings, off guard.
The Cold Truth About Louisiana’s Winter
Louisiana’s summers are known for their heat, and how it turns our cars into ovens if left in the sun. In the same way, winter’s cold snaps can be equally harsh, but in the opposite extreme. When a cold blast hits, especially those that plunge our morning temperatures into the frosty 20s or teens, there are certain items in our cars that could suffer – or cause trouble.
Six Must-Remove Items Before a Louisiana Cold Snap
Here’s a rundown of what you should get out of your car before the mercury falls too low:
Canned Food
Calle Macarone, Unsplash
In both extreme heat and cold, canned goods can swell. While they might still be safe to eat if the can remains intact, it’s a risk not worth taking.
Canned Soda or Bottled Drinks
James Yarema, Unsplash
Ever left a drink in the freezer too long? It bursts. The same principle applies to your car in freezing temperatures. Avoid the mess and potential damage.
Wood Instruments
This might not apply to everyone, but if you’re the one in a thousand with a wooden instrument in your car, know that extreme cold can warp or crack the wood.
Electronics
Toby56, unsplash
Like the summer heat, cold weather can damage the battery of your electronics. Additionally, quick temperature changes can cause condensation, leading to further damage.
Eye Glasses
Redowan Dhrub, Unsplash
The frames, lenses, or special coatings of your glasses could be compromised by the extreme cold, rendering them useless.
Medications
Towfiqu Barbhuiya, Unsplash
Certain medications, like insulin or pills, can lose their effectiveness or be physically altered by extreme temperatures.
So, as we navigate the unpredictable winter months in Louisiana, let’s remember to keep our cars clear of these items. A little preparation can go a long way in avoiding winter woes! Stay warm, Louisiana!
LOOK: The most expensive weather and climate disasters in recent decades
Gallery Credit: KATELYN LEBOFF
Louisiana
‘Growth pays for growth’: Entergy’s Fair Share Plus model to save Louisiana customers $2.8 billion
Think tank proposes capping Social Security benefits at $100,000
A Washington think tank proposed capping annual Social Security benefits at $100,000 for couples as a way to shrink a looming deficit in the retirement trust fund.
When it comes to retiring, the best places to do so often are affordable, have a high quality of life and access to quality healthcare.
If you’re looking for a place to retire, Niche has identified the best places for retirees in Louisiana.
In its list, Niche has taken into account factors like weather, crime rates, housing costs and access to amenities.
The 5 best places to retire in Louisiana according to Niche
These are the top five best places to retire in Louisiana, according to Niche.
1. Oak Hills Place
Oak Hills Place is a suburb of Baton Rouge and is the overall best place to retire in Louisiana. This suburb, located in East Baton Rouge Parish, has a population of 9,038 and offers residents an urban suburban mix feel. The area is highly rated for families, diversity, as well as health and fitness. Here, the median home value is $437,900 and the median rent is $1,422, according to Niche.
2. Westminster
Westminster is another suburb of Baton Rouge and is the second-best place to retire in Louisiana. Located in East Baton Rouge Parish, this suburb has a population of 2,559 and offers residents an urban suburban mix feel. This area is highly rated for nightlife, diversity, families, health and fitness, as well as commute. The median home value here is $266,100 and the median rent is $1,482, says Niche.
3. River Ridge
River Ridge is a suburb of New Orleans, located in Jefferson Parish, and is the third-best place to retire in Louisiana. This suburb has a population of 13,312 and offers residents a dense suburban feel. The area is highly rated for public schools, family, nightlife and diversity. The median home value is $357,400 and the median rent is $1,127, according to Niche.
4. Westlake
Westlake is a town in Calcasieu Parish that is among the best places to retire in Louisiana. With a population of 4,743, this town offers residents a rural feel. The town is highly rated for public schools, housing, families, jobs, cost of living, nightlife and weather. Here, the median home value is $166,100 and the median rent is $1,049, says Niche.
5. Prien
Prien is another town in Calcasieu Parish that is among the best places to retire in Louisiana. This town has a population of 7,119 and offers residents a suburban rural mix feel. The town is highly rated for public schools, housing, families, nightlife and weather. The median home value here is $278,000 and the median rent is $1,292, according to Niche.
Presley Bo Tyler is the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team reporter for USA Today Network. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com
A motorcyclist is recovering after a West Monroe crash involving an 18-wheeler, while Chevron won a Louisiana Supreme Court ruling shifting a major coastal lawsuit back to lower courts. Ouachita deputies arrested a suspect and recovered more than a dozen guns, Mississippi passed a new school social-media safety requirement, and Louisiana’s House advanced a unanimous state budget. A new recovery center opened, and multiple weekend events are underway across northeast Louisiana, plus national updates include stock-market stress guidance, a Ford F-150 recall, Spirit Airlines uncertainty, and tax-refund tips.
-
Atlanta, GA3 minutes agoNew York hosts Atlanta with 1-0 series lead
-
Minneapolis, MN9 minutes agoFatal Minneapolis crash sentencing: Teniki Steward sentenced to more than 12 years
-
Indianapolis, IN14 minutes agoPirates farm report for April 18, 2026: Rafael Flores Jr. hits 1st homer in Indianapolis win
-
Pittsburg, PA21 minutes agoMcCorkle: Pittsburgh Steelers 2026 Mock Draft (Final Version)
-
Augusta, GA27 minutes agoAugusta nonprofit hosts family financial literacy day
-
Washington, D.C33 minutes agoStorm Team4 Forecast: A chilly, gusty Sunday before a cool start to the week
-
Cleveland, OH39 minutes agoWinners and Losers From Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Playoffs Game 1
-
Austin, TX44 minutes agoStorms dump small hail throughout Austin area Saturday