Upcoming Winter Storm: State of Emergency declared for Louisiana

BATON ROUGE — Gov. Jeff Landry has signed a state of emergency for the Louisiana ahead of the upcoming winter storm, which he and other state leaders have called a “dangerous event,” particularly for the northern part of Louisiana. The northern parishes could be facing what State Climatologist Jay Grymes deemed a “triple whammy,” of ice, snow and bitter cold air.

The governor said while this time last year, Louisiana got to enjoy a snow storm, the ice storm predicted over this weekend will likely be far from enjoyable.

Landry signed the state of emergency just minutes before stepping onstage on Jan. 22nd to update the state on what to expect and how best to prepare.

“This state of emergency allows for direct state assistance to support operational measures at the parish level to help protect life, safety, and welfare of our citizens. Additionally, this declaration allows the state to request a waiver for commercial motor carriers and drivers assisting with emergencies to ensure that fuel deliveries or delivered quickly to Louisiana to prevent shortages,” he explained. Because of the possibility of north Louisiana seeing effects and shortages sooner than later, Landry wanted to get the declaration out as soon as possible.

READ MORE Winter storm watch in Baton Rouge starting Friday morning

GOHSEP and the National Guard are activated and prepared, he added, with the Guard armed with generators, water bottles and ready-to-eat meals, and high-water vehicles to help in accessing citizens up north. FEMA has also provided additional assets and necessities, Landry said.

Jay Grymes: Timing and what we can expect

“I urge everyone listening and watching to begin to plan ahead. You want to check on your neighbors, especially if you have elderly neighbors who may need help in preparing as well,” the governor said.

Grymes said that winter storm impacts begin in the northwest on Friday night, rolling through the southeast into Saturday and Sunday.

“Saturday is going to be a statewide mess whether it’s raining or not. In North Louisiana, some of that rain will turn into snow so there could be snow on top of ice. That snow will help keep that ice intact, making it a very dangerous situation,” Gymes said. The snow will likely remain north of Alexandria.

Areas along the I-10, I-12 and 190 corridor will likely avoid any significant icing concerns, Grymes said. The central to northern parishes will receive the worst of the ice potential.

For those along the I-20 corridor, there could be as much as half an inch or more of ice. “Icing of that magnitude is clearly going to create some significant problems,” he explained. For north Louisiana, the rain that follows the ice will likely turn into snow, meaning that northern parishes could have ice and snow layered, allowing the ice to stick around longer.

Temperatures could be below or at freezing for nearly 70 hours in the north part of the state; that’s three days.

The cold air won’t arrive in south Louisiana until after the rain happens, according to Grymes. The coldest of the air doesn’t arrive until early next week, meaning Monday and Tuesday, and that’s when the area will most likely experience hard freezes.

READ MORE What to know about your plants after the cold weather & snow

Preparing now for the winter storm

Gov. Landry advised residents to start preparing today, and to remember the necessities.

“Remember the four P’s: people, pets, plants and pipes. It’s really easy. People, pets, plants and pipes. Check on your neighbors, protect your property, make sure that you have good necessities like food, adequate water, medication and heat,” he advised.

Because of the potential for ice on power lines, he added that people should prepare for the possibility of extended power outages, as well. With the bitter cold air and possibility of losing electricity, the governor is urging everyone to stay indoors and avoid driving on the roads once ice is out.

“Ice on the road is not only dangerous, but it’s deadly too,” said Landry.

Grymes advised hunters that “this is not the time to get going out,” especially with temperatures dropping into the teens in some parishes.

DOTD and other agencies are already preparing for de-icing treatments and placing materials in areas that will likely be hit the hardest. This includes 10 million pounds of salt and 200,000 gallons of brining materials.

Pre-treating bridges, overpasses and other elevated roadways is in progress.

DOTD has also rented extra machinery to help in advance of the storm’s entrance. DOTD’s Traffic Management Center is activating 24-hour shifts to staff the Emergency Operation Center and will also activate 24-hour shifts for the motorist assistance patrol.

Gov. Landry iterated that the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) will have staff in place 24/7 with the Child Protection Hotline fully operational. In addition, the Office of the State Fire Marshal will be open.

The Louisiana State Fire Marshal office reminds everyone to safely heat your home and be cautious of fire hazards in this bitter cold. There have been 10 fire-related deaths so far this year, according to Bryan Adams reported.

Some tips to consider in the cold weather:

• Place space heaters 3-5 feet from bedding
• Plug space heaters directly into wall outlets.
• Never leave space heaters or candles unattended. Put out fireplace fires at night.
• Have working smoke alarms and CO detectors.

Staying weather-aware and informed

There is the potential for power outages due to icy conditions. Staying aware of changing conditions and staying indoors during the dangerous cold is something Gov. Landry and other officials are stressing at this time.

“This is why we encourage folks to stay indoors and to prepare for power outages that could last for several days. In that February 2021 event, some folks in North Louisiana were without power for almost two weeks,” Landry said.

The governor repeatedly urged people to stay off the roads once the weather starts to deteriorate, not only for your own safety but the safety of first responders. “Stay off the roads. Once you have checked on your plants, your pipes, your people and your pets, get comfortable.”

“Drivers should avoid being on the roadway, as the governor mentioned, especially in hazardous conditions where travel is not absolutely necessary. If travel is absolutely necessary, please look out for our crews as well as any emergency support crews across the state,” said DOTD’s director at Thursday’s conference.

To stay informed of road conditions and weather news, residents can visit 511la.org, dial 511, visit GOHSEP’s Get a Game Plan site, or visit DOTD’s social media (on Facebook, Instagram and X).

“I beg you, please take this serious. We want you to stay informed. We want you to stay prepared.”

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