(The Center Square) − Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry and state officials held a news briefing on Wednesday to update residents on the unprecedented weather event and its ongoing challenges.
The governor commended the Department of Transportation and Development workers, including teams from Arkansas, for their around-the-clock efforts to clear roadways.
According to preliminary totals from the National Weather Service in Baton Rouge, the storm dumped 10 inches in New Orleans and eight inches on the capital city. NWS Lake Charles estimated Lafayette and Lake Charles received between eight to 12 inches of snow from the winter storm that put up historic totals on the Interstate 10 corridor.
“This has been the biggest snowstorm in more than 100 years for South Louisiana,” said Jay Grymes, the Louisiana state climatologist. “And the temperatures — four degrees in Lafayette, six in Lake Charles — are the coldest we’ve seen in over a century.”
While the snow has stopped, subfreezing temperatures are expected to persist for several days, leading to dangerous conditions as melted snow and slushes refreezes on road surfaces overnight.
State officials warned that this freeze will continue to impact roadways, urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel.
DOTD Secretary Joe Donahue reported progress in reopening key routes, including portions of Interstate 10 east of Lake Charles.
The Baton Rouge Mississippi River Bridge and the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge are expected to reopen soon, but other critical routes, such as the Bonnet Carré Spillway and New Orleans’ twin span bridges that carry Interstate 10, might remain closed until Friday.
Alternate routes like U.S. 90, U.S. 61, and U.S. 190 are available, but officials continue to emphasize the importance of using the state’s 511LA.org system for real-time updates on road conditions.
Colonel Robert Hodges, the superintendent of the Louisiana State Police, highlighted that troopers have responded to over 100 weather-related incidents and numerous crashes. No fatalities have been reported.
“This isn’t like a hurricane, where the problems end when the storm does,” Landry said. “When the snow stops, our problems truly begin with freezing temperatures creating hazards on roadways and in homes.”
Officials also reminded residents to be cautious with heating sources to avoid fire hazards.
