Even though precipitation has moved out of Louisiana and none is expected for the next several days, lingering moisture is making some roadways in North Louisiana slick, especially on I-20, where it’s a slow-go between Monroe and Arcadia in both directions. Rodney Mallett with DOTD says this is despite crews working around the clock to keep roadways as passable as they possibly can.
Currently, there are more than 110-thousand customers without power throughout the state. Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says it’s a game of whack-a-mole – when one area gets its power restored, another area loses it.
Almost 87-hundred customers are without power in DeSoto Parish, which is looking at another night with low temperatures in the teens. DeSoto Parish Sheriff Jayson Richardson says people who do not have an adequate way to warm their homes should find shelter.
Cut 12 (09) “…life-threatening temperatures”
The Red Cross has opened shelters and warming centers throughout the state; but with brutally cold temperatures forecast overnight, the organization is looking to open more of them. Thus, Kenneth St. Charles, the regional CEO of the American Red Cross Louisiana Region, is putting out a statewide call for volunteers.
Training only takes about a couple hours, and it can be done virtually.