Record snowfall could keep South Louisiana residents home for days, governor says

BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana Illuminator) – The potential for record snowfall and extended subfreezing temperatures in southern Louisiana means residents may have to stay indoors for at least two days until conditions improve, state officials said Monday.

Governor Jeff Landry, who had been in Washington, DC for President Donald Trump’s inauguration, returned to Louisiana earlier than expected and led a press conference at the headquarters of his Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.

The governor advised residents to complete their preparations and monitor virtual.la.gov for information on winter weather effects.

“It’s better to be overprepared than caught off guard,” Landry said.

The latest forecast from the National Weather Service calls for snowfall between 5-8 inches of snow along the Interstate 10 and 12 corridors, with levels slightly lower in coastal areas. Freezing precipitation is expected to start in the early hours of Tuesday and last throughout the day.

With snowy conditions forecast over such a wide area — “from the Sabine River to the Pearl and from the coast to Alexandria,” said state climatologist Jay Grymes — residents should plan to shelter in place for at least two days.

The “worst-case scenario” could see some areas receive more than 10 inches of snow, he said, adding that Louisiana has not seen a winter storm with such an impact since the 1960s.

“When we get over the critical threshold of 4 inches, it effectively shuts down the state for at least a day or two,” Grymes said.

Widespread icy roads and compromised water systems are the most likely results from the winter storm, according to the governor. It could be days before roads are cleared to allow the National Guard to bring water to areas with disabled water supplies.

New Orleans has already issued precautionary boil water advisories for parts of the city farthest from its East Bank water treatment plant. In addition to the Sewerage and Water Board’s vulnerable, aging infrastructure, water pressure in New Orleans typically drops during deep cold spells, when residents run a thin stream of water to prevent exposed pipes from freezing.

Road conditions will worsen

According to the governor, ice-related road closures are expected to start with bridges over the Mississippi River and the four long spans of waterways – Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, Bonnet Carre Spillway, Atchafalaya Spillway and Interstate 55 over Manchac Swamp.

Joe Donahue, state secretary of transportation, called the upcoming weather a “very severe event” and said state road clearing crews will prioritize interstate and U.S. highways along with select alternate routes.

The state of Arkansas is sending dozens of slow-plow trucks and road salting vehicles, along with personnel to operate them, to Louisiana, Landry said.

Updates on road closures in Louisiana will be posted at 511la.orgwhich can also be accessed via virtual.la.gov.

Cool temperatures are expected in North Louisiana

While snow will be largely limited to areas south of Alexandria, officials warn that northern Louisiana should plan for temperatures well below freezing through Friday. Wind chill can make it feel like the single digits, increasing the threats to people, pets, pipes and plants.

The governor urged all citizens to ensure that their heating systems are working properly and adequately ventilated to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Furnaces and stoves, whether electric or gas-powered, should not be used to heat homes, he added.

Space heater safety is also advised. The units must be stored on the floor and at least three feet away from walls, curtains, furniture and other combustibles. It is best to plug space heaters directly into wall outlets instead of surge protectors or extension cords.

Batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should also be checked.

Airport status updates

Flights from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport are likely to be canceled for at least Tuesday. Although almost all airlines operating there have de-icing equipment, the airport does not have snowplows to clear its runways.

At Baton Rouge Metro Airport, United Airlines temporarily suspended flights Tuesday, and American Airlines currently plans to fly in the morning, weather permitting, but delays and cancellations are possible. Delta Airlines had not announced any schedule changes as of late Monday afternoon.

Passengers are encouraged to monitor their airline websites directly for the latest information on delayed and canceled flights, in addition to tracking road closures that may affect airport access.

– Julie O’Donoghue contributed to this report.

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