It’s a winter storm that the state has not seen in some 60 years. By the time all is said and done, some areas could be buried under as many as six inches of snow. On the rare occasion that it snows in South Louisiana, the snow may stick to the ground for maybe a few hours. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says this time however, it will linger for a few days. That’s because overnight lows will be bone-chillingly cold.

Cut 4 (10) “…but still frigid.”

GOHSEP chief of staff Scott Adams says it’s best to hunker down and stay at home – and make sure your house can handle these cold temperatures…

Cut 8 (09) “…covered.”

In fact, the state is keeping state offices closed both tomorrow and Thursday.

Louisiana’s highway system is no match for this historic winter storm. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Enforcement agents at the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries rescue two stranded duck hunters on Henderson Lake in St. Martin Parish. Agents got the call at around seven this morning; and in less than two hours, they found the duck hunters inside their boats. The hunters said when they tried to leave, the boat motor wouldn’t start.

Also, LDWF is reminding you not to take in any wildlife during this arctic blast. The department says wild animals are acclimated to these conditions.

It’s been a memorable day in Louisiana as south Louisiana into central Louisiana was hit by a snowstorm that produced a major snowfall…

Cut 3 (11) “….seven in Slidell”

The National Weather Service in Lake Charles recorded close to five inches of snow, third highest snowfall in the city’s history.

Not only are there multiple inches of snow in south Louisiana and into the Alexandria area, but we are looking at very cold temperatures. The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is urging the public to practice space heater safety. GOHSEP chief of staff Scott Adams:

Cut 7 (09) “…to bed.”

The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office says a space heater is responsible for a fatal fire that killed man in that parish on Monday.

You may have just gotten an alert on your phone stating that the number of crashes on roadways throughout South Louisiana is rapidly increasing. State Police Trooper Marc Gremillion (GREM-ee-ahn) says they’ve had to respond to a lot of vehicles that had slid off the roadway.

Cut 12 (11) “…struck from behind.”

The Louisiana Department of Transportation they have long list of road closures. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett…

Cut 11 (08) “….ice over”

All flights have been cancelled at Lafayette Regional Airport and Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans. The Alexandria Airport has re-opened, but some flights are still cancelled.

South Louisiana is experiencing weather conditions normally reserved for the northern half of the United States. Areas from Lafayette to Slidell, including Baton Rouge and New Orleans, could be buried under about a half foot of snow by the time it stops falling. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says thanks to lingering frigid temperatures, it’s going to be around for a while.

Cut 23 (06) “…a few days.”

Lows will dip into the teens overnight. Keim says while that’s historic, it won’t quite be a record.

Cut 24 (07) “…be down there.”

With conditions outside deteriorating as the day moves along, state officials are urging you to just stay home. Governor Landry has a suggestion for how you can fill the time.

Cut 6 (13) “…eat again.”

To say the least, driving conditions throughout South Louisiana are quite treacherous. DOTD spokesman Rodney Mallett says visibility is very difficult when the snow is falling; it’s certainly very unique to Louisiana…

Cut 10 (10) “…the moment.”

If you absolutely have to drive today, be very, very careful. Not only does that mean slow down, but it also means giving yourself lots of extra distance when stopping. And State Police Trooper Mark Gremillion (GREM-ee-ahn) says if you start skidding, stay calm and by all means, do not steer away from the skid initially.

Cut 14 (11) “…out of it.”

Gremillion says it’s been a busy day for him and his fellow troopers – they’ve had to respond to a lot of vehicles that had slid off the roadway.

The weather outside is frightful, and there’s little about it that’s delightful. That time of year has sailed off. DOTD officials are on the highways in south Louisiana, and the driving experience is very difficult. Spokesman Rodney Mallett says on some roadways, you can’t see the curb or edge of the street or the highway…

Cut 9 (12)  “…not easy.”

As such, try to stay off the roads today if you possibly can. If you absolutely have to be on the roads today, please adjust the way you normally drive so that you can get from point A to point B in one piece. State Police Trooper Marc Gremillion (GREM-ee-ahn) says not only do you need to greatly reduce your speed, you’ll also need to adjust the way you come to a stop.

Cut 13 (07)  “…a lot farther.”

And if you start skidding, stay calm, steer into the skid and drive off after you’ve regained your traction.

Once again, in conditions like these, it’s best that you stay home if you possibly can. GOHSEP chief of staff Scott Adams says it’s best to hunker down and stay at home today and make sure your house can handle these cold temperatures…

Cut 8 (09) “…covered.”

Adams reminds you that if you absolutely must use a space heater, use extreme caution, as they are common causes for house fires in frigid temperatures like what we’re experiencing today. Make sure there’s nothing flammable within three to five feet of the unit, and it’s plugged directly into the wall. No extension cords or power strips – they can’t handle the electrical load needed to operate them.

If these brutal temperatures are too much for you to handle, LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says take solace in the fact that they will return to normal by this weekend.

Cut 5 (09) “…in certain locations.”

You may have just gotten an alert on your phone stating that the number of crashes on roadways throughout South Louisiana is rapidly increasing. State Police Trooper Marc Gremillion (GREM-ee-ahn) says they’ve had to respond to a lot of vehicles that had slid off the roadway.

Cut 12 (11) “…struck from behind.”

By the time all is said and done, some areas could be buried under as many as six inches of snow. On the rare occasion that it snows in South Louisiana, the snow will stick to the ground for maybe a few hours. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says this time however, it will linger for a few days. That’s because overnight lows will be bone-chillingly cold.

Cut 4 (10) “…but still frigid.”

Not only are there multiple inches of snow in south Louisiana and into the Alexandria area, but we are looking at very cold temperatures. The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is urging the public to practice space heater safety. GOHSEP chief of staff Scott Adams:

Cut 7 (09) “…to bed.”

Also, do not use your stove or oven to heat your house – especially if it’s a gas unit. If you use a gas stove or oven, you could run the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is odorless; by the time you become exposed, it could be too late.

South Louisiana is experiencing weather conditions normally reserved to regions of the country much farther north. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says areas of South Louisiana are being blanketed by snow not seen in decades.

Cut 3 (11) “…seven in Slidell.” 

Keim says with temperatures remaining below freezing, the snow will stick around for a few days.

With conditions outside deteriorating as the day moves along, state officials are urging you to just stay home. Governor Landry has a suggestion for how you can fill the time.

Cut 6 (13) “…eat again.”

Or in honor of these New England-like conditions, you can try a New England delicacy: American Chop Suey.

Louisiana’s highway system is no match for this historic winter storm. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

People are making the most of all these road closures. Videos posted onto social media show people sledding down an embankment of a closed Interstate. They’re also going cross-country skiing on Bourbon Street, with as much as two inches of snow on the ground there. With sleds and cross-country skis usually not sold in Louisiana, people have had to improvise.

It’s a snowstorm that would make New England proud. The Gulf Coast is experiencing a snowstorm that it hadn’t experienced since the 1960s. People are waking up to the sight of their yards and vehicles covered in the flaky white stuff. LRN meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says while this is certainly a lot, it is not a record-breaker.

Cut 27 (16) “…one day.”

Triple-A says if you absolutely must drive in these conditions, exercise extreme caution. That includes things like making sure all snow is off all glass panels, not just the windshield and rear glass, greatly reducing your speed and giving yourself plenty of distance to stop safely. Don Redman of Triple-A says unless it’s an emergency, stay off the road.

Cut 4 (08) “…stay home.”

With Louisiana not accustomed to snow, the state doesn’t have any snowplows – there’s usually no need. During a news conference at GOHSEP headquarters, Governor Landry said our neighbor to the north, Arkansas, is pitching in to help.

Cut 13 (17)  “…and eight drivers.”

Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans crews are ready to deal with any power outages resulting from this snowstorm. VP of Reliability Jason Willis says 16-hundred workers are on standby, but restoration may be delayed by icy roads and cold-load pickup challenges.

Cut 12 (11) “…over the coming days.”