(The Center Square) – The vast majority of city and state government functions in northwest Louisiana are closed Monday, affected by the historic winter storm that trounced the region beginning late Friday.
Hazardous roads and power outages closed roadways and overpasses, municipal operations for Bossier City and Shreveport and most state offices. Caddo and Bossier schools are closed through Tuesday. A decision about returning to school Wednesday is expected at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
Southern University Shreveport, Louisiana State University in Shreveport and Bossier Parish Community College are closed Monday. Shreveport Regional Airport is asking passengers to check with their assigned airlines for possible cancellations. Several American and Delta flights were cancelled, according to a flight status tracker.
Tuesday’s Shreveport City Council meeting is canceled and will not be rescheduled. The next regular meeting is Feb. 10. Bossier City Hall and all non-essential municipal operations are closed on Monday and Tuesday.
Three deaths related to the storm have been reported. The Louisiana Department of Health said two men in Caddo Parish died due to hypothermia.
An 86-year-old man in DeSoto Parish died of carbon monoxide poisoning, the department said on Monday.
He was operating a generator in a garage and it appeared that the door was inadvertently shut at some point, according to Mark Pierce, the DeSoto Parish Sheriff Department’s public information officer.
“Another major concern is that we are being inundated with calls for rescue on the roadways. Over 90% of the people we ask say they are out sightseeing. I want to stress that we need the public to stay off the roadways,” Pierce said.
The agency urged those who need assistance to visit one of five warming centers listed in Shreveport: Hope Connections, 2350 Levy St.; Rescue Mission, 901 McNeil St.; Hope House, 762 Austen Pl.; Holy Mission Church of God In Christ, 1054 Texas St.; Salvation Army, 200 E. Stoner.
Widespread power outages are reported across north and central parts of the state.
