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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BATON ROUGE, La. (KLFY) — Governor Landry has officially declared Louisiana under state of emergency.
The state emergency declaration covers Avoyelles, Lafourche, Pointe Coupee, St. Landry, St. Tammany and Terrebonne parishes.
The declaration was issued Thursday following the impacts of Tropical Storm Arthur, which brough rainfall and strong storms to parts of the state on June 17 and 18.
Officials said the National Weather Service has confirmed three tornadoes tied to the storm system.
Officials also reported record or near-record rainfall totals in Avoyelles and Pointe Coupee parishes over a 12-hour period.
The order allows the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness to coordinate resources and provide assistance to local governments if needed.
Certain state purchasing and bidding requirements have been temporarily suspended to speed up emergency response efforts.
The declaration took effect immediately and will remain in place through July 18 unless it is lifted or extended.
State officials are urging residents to stay weather aware, avoid flooded roadways and follow guidance from local emergency managers.
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MONROE, La. (KNOE) – The North Louisiana Crime Lab released a June 2026 law enforcement bulletin warning of additional cases tied to cyclorphine, a synthetic opioid the lab says can be significantly more potent than fentanyl.
The bulletin, titled “Cyclorphine Update — Additional Cases & Footprint,” notes that drug evidence submissions testing positive for cyclorphine have been received from multiple parishes in North Louisiana.
What is cyclorphine?
According to the bulletin, cyclorphine is a synthetic opioid in the emerging orphine drug class. The lab said current toxicity data are limited, but laboratory studies indicate cyclorphine may be up to 10 times more potent than fentanyl.
Reported effects
The crime lab said cyclorphine can produce effects similar to other narcotic analgesics, including:
- Central nervous system depression
- Lethargy or stupor
- Respiratory depression with slow, shallow breathing
- Pinpoint pupils
The bulletin said Narcan should be administered to someone suffering from cyclorphine toxicity, and that multiple doses may be needed.
What the bulletin says about trends
The crime lab said national data indicate cyclorphine will likely continue spreading through the region, including becoming more common in seized and submitted drug evidence.
Where cyclorphine has been detected
The bulletin includes a “detection timeline and counterfeit tablet types,” showing evidence submissions tied to specific parishes and dates, including:
- Caddo Parish (Feb. 19; April 14)
- Ouachita Parish (March 18; May 13)
- DeSoto Parish (March 25)
- Natchitoches Parish (May 14)
The lab also noted counterfeit pill types associated with these submissions, including tablets labeled “M30,” “M15,” “K56,” “1259,” and “M367.” Officials warned it may be impossible to know what a pill contains, even if it resembles a known tablet.
The North Louisiana Crime Lab said it will continue tracking trends and sharing updates as additional evidence is submitted.
Copyright 2026 KNOE. All rights reserved.
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