Louisiana
Louisiana toddler shocked by downed power line in Ouachita after storm
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry confirms 8 deaths from Winter Storm Fern.
Gov. Jeff Landry surveyed the damage done by Winter Storm Fern in northeastern Louisiana on Tuesday, July 27, 2026.
- A 2-year-old boy in Ouachita Parish is in critical condition after touching a downed power line.
- The incident occurred in the child’s yard following Winter Storm Fern.
- The power line was thought to be dead but had apparently been reenergized.
- The toddler was resuscitated and flown to a Shreveport hospital for treatment.
A 2-year-old Ouachita Parish boy is in critical condition after being shocked by a downed power line caused by Winter Storm Fern, Police Juror Shane Smiley told USA Today Network.
Smiley said the toddler was playing in his family’s yard Jan. 31 when he touched a downed power line.
Smiley said the power line had been dead but had apparently been reenergized.
He said the boy had to be resuscitated and was flown to Shreveport for treatment as LSUHS.
Nine stormed-related deaths have been confirmed by the Louisiana Department of Health.
Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.