Louisiana
Officials urge Louisiana residents to prepare for winter weather threat
BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – Officials are urging safety and preparation this weekend as Louisiana braces for winter weather expected to bring freezing temperatures and potential ice accumulation.
Experts say the major impacts will be in the northern half of the state, but residents statewide should prepare now for what’s ahead.
“Certainly, keep track of the weather,” said Jay Grymes, Louisiana state climatologist.
Freezing temperatures and ice threat
Temperatures are set to drop to near and below freezing in the coming days. Experts warn about the potential for freezing rain and ice accumulation across some parts of Louisiana.
“The question we still have right now is just how far south will the winter weather get, particularly the icing. Because icing of all the elements, icing is the most dangerous,” Grymes said.
The number one threat for the capital region is the cold into next week, when multiple problems will start to emerge.
“The real story here is, be prepared for the possibility of a little bit of icing. Even if we say it’s less than 50-50 chance, it’s still possible. And that could be a problem Sunday evening,” Grymes said.
Preparation recommendations
Many residents are buying firewood to stay warm during frigid temperatures.
“I think that people are getting a little anxious with the cold weather coming, and they want to prepare. And so I think that they’re getting firewood that way. They make sure, you know, if they lose electricity or anything like that, that they have some way to keep their house warm,” said Wade Bailey, owner of WB Lawn and Landscape.
Grymes says before temperatures drop, residents should wrap their pipes over the next few days and be mindful of space heaters and portable generators.
Experts say to not leave space heaters on while sleeping or when not around to monitor them. For generators, make sure they are far enough away from your home to avoid carbon monoxide fumes from getting inside.
“Do those things wisely, and we should be okay,” Grymes said.
“I think it’s very important to prep, and we’ll see if it happens. But, you know, it’s better to be prepared than not be,” Bailey said.
Tomorrow, the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness will hold a news conference ahead of the winter weather to urge folks around Louisiana to stay alert.
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Louisiana
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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.
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