The weather will warm up today; and with that, the roads will continue to dry out. During a news conference yesterday morning, Governor Landry pointed out that sections of roadway could still be very slick from ice, so be very careful if you need to drive today.

Cut 21 (16) “…back home safely.”

DOTD Secretary Joe Donahue says road treatments are not only ongoing around the clock, but they’re expanding.

Cut 9 (11)  “…to the east.”

Some sections of Interstate freeway have reopened, but long stretches remain closed. To stay up to date on their reopenings, go to 511la.org.

Crews from the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries rescued four stranded duck hunters from the Atchafalaya Delta Wildlife Management Area in St. Mary Parish. Sergeant Jeremy Foret (for-RAY) says there were several factors that led to the boaters needing help.

Cut 14 (06) “…the little boat.”

Foret says none of the four hunters required medical attention.

Congresswoman Julia Letlow has introduced two bills aimed at enhancing disaster aid for agricultural producers and improving crop insurance flexibility.

Cut 10 (11) “…to the finish line.”

The Drought Assistance Improvement Act would modify and expand programs to cover crawfish losses due to adverse weather or drought. The Quality Loss Adjustment Improvement for Farmers Act would require a regional discount factor for soybean crops during extreme weather events.

A Who’s Who of Louisiana politics will converge at a DC hotel starting today for Washington Mardi Gras. Andrew Greenstein reports

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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This snowstorm has certainly been one for the ages. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Congresswoman Julia Letlow introduces two bills aimed at enhancing disaster aid for agricultural producers and improving crop insurance flexibility. Sean Richardson reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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A Who’s Who of Louisiana politics will be in Washington, DC, starting today for Washington Mardi Gras. Jeremy Alford, the publisher of LaPolitcs-dot-com, says this year’s event is getting off to a topsy-turvy start.

Cut 4 (10) “…up to Washington.”

In fact, Alford says the weather here in Louisiana is preventing several people from being able to attend because they cannot get out of the state. He says one of the biggest talking points this year is which Louisianians will get roles in the second Trump administration. He says this is the networking event of the year.

Cut 5 (09) “…government relations professionals.”

Alford says the bar at the Washington Hilton, where this event is happening, is usually dubbed the “65th Parish,” and it’s not an event that any politician will want to miss.

Cut 6 (13) “…want to be.”

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This arctic blast has been one for the ages. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says this was the biggest snowstorm in South Louisiana in more than 100 years – longer than nearly every one of us has been alive. Grymes says we’re not done with the cold temperatures yet.

Cut 7 (15) “…with the snow.”

Grymes says even though road conditions are starting to improve, they’re still quite treacherous. So he’s urging you to once again stay home if at all possible.

Cut 8 (12) “…on the roads.”

DOTD Secretary Joe Donahue says road treatments are not only ongoing 24 hours a day, but they’re expanding.

Cut 9 (11)  “…to the east.”

To stay up to date on road conditions, go to 511la.org.

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Congresswoman Julia Letlow has introduced two bills aimed at enhancing disaster aid for agricultural producers and improving crop insurance flexibility.

Cut 10 (11) “…to the finish line.”

The Drought Assistance Improvement Act seeks to reform emergency relief programs by modifying and expanding programs to cover crawfish losses due to adverse weather or drought.  Letlow emphasized the importance of proactive reforms to swiftly support farmers facing severe weather.

Cut 11 (05) “…before disasters strike.”

The Quality Loss Adjustment Improvement for Farmers Act aims to improve federal crop insurance by requiring a regional discount factor for soybean crops during extreme weather events. Letlow says this will all protect Louisiana’s agricultural community.

Cut 12 (05) “…severe weather events.”

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Rescue crews from the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries rescued four stranded duck hunters from the Atchafalaya Delta Wildlife Management Area in St. Mary Parish. Sergeant Jeremy Foret (for-RAY) says the call came in shortly after 9:30 Tuesday morning.

Cut 13 (06)  “…call for help.”

Sergeant Foret says they got to the boaters a little more than an hour later. He says there were several factors that led to the boaters needing help.

Cut 14 (06) “…the little boat.”

Foret says all four hunters are doing well.

Cut 15 (04) “…attention was needed.”

Later that same day, Foret and his crew rescued a duck hunter who ran out of gas in his boat. He was brought back to his vehicle and also needed no medical attention.

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The Ragin Cajuns men’s basketball team hosts Texas State at 3 PM today. Both teams are 4-and-3 in Sun Belt play. U-L Lafayette interim head coach Derrick Zimmerman says one of the Bobcats’ best players is Tylan Pope from Franklinton….

Cut 16 (16) “…with them.”

Tuesday’s record snowfall has disrupted the Cajuns’ preparations for today’s game, but Zimmerman says that’s no excuse…

Cut 17 (17)  “…we’ll be ready to play.”

The Cajuns have won six straight games over Texas State.

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Louisiana Tech begins a three game-home stand tonight when they host Western Kentucky at 6 PM in a game televised by CBS Sports Network. The Bulldogs dropped two close games on the road last week to fall to two and four in Conference USA play. Tech has already matched conference loss total from last year and Coach Talvin Hester says they have not been as good on the defensive end of the court…

Cut 18 (09)   “…172.”

The Bulldogs have also been hit by the injury bug. Will Jeffress is out for the season with an injury. Al Green and Jordan Crawford have also been injured recently. Hester says they have to play through these injuries…

Cut 19 (12) “…growing toward.”

New all time record lows were set this morning. National Weather Service Meteorologist Stacey Denson says single digit temperature readings were recorded across southwest Louisiana…

Cut 3 (13) “…in Lafayette.” 

And the highest snowfall total – 11 and a half inches in Chalmette.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The weather warmed up throughout the day today to cause some of the snow to melt and the roads to start to dry up. So much so that this afternoon, DOTD was able to reopen westbound I-10 from I-49 in Lafayette to the Texas state line. Others may take a little longer to reopen. DOTD spokesman Rodney Mallett says one challenge with the Interstates is that many of them have long stretches where they go over water, and bridges always freeze first, making for extremely dangerous driving conditions.

Cut 11 (07) “…in the south.”

Despite the slight warming throughout the day today, LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says we’re not quite out of the woods just yet.

Cut 13 (05)  “…block of ice.”

Tonight’s Pelicans home game against the Bucks has been postponed, and the huge matchup in women’s basketball between number-five LSU and number-two South Carolina has been pushed back from tomorrow night to Friday afternoon.

Get used to seeing this snow; it’s going to be around for a few more days. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s not going to be warm enough today or tomorrow to cause any significant melting. He says if you can just survive tomorrow, we will see significant melting starting Friday.

Cut 14 (11) “…will be gone.”

Most Interstate freeways throughout South Louisiana from Lake Charles eastward remain closed – however, this afternoon, westbound I-10 has reopened from I-49 to the Texas state line. DOTD Spokesman Rodney Mallett says it’s unclear when other stretches will reopen.

Cut 10 (10) “…need to be.”

Go to 511la.org to stay up to date.

The highest snowfall total recorded in Louisiana happened in Chalmette – 11.5 inches. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

This wicked weather has led to a few postponements in the sports world. Tonight’s Pelicans home game against the Bucks has been postponed; no makeup date has been announced. And the highly anticipated women’s basketball game in Columbia, South Carolina, between fifth ranked LSU and second ranked South Carolina has been postponed from tomorrow night to Friday afternoon.

Subfreezing temperatures are cold for Louisiana, but this morning we nearly saw temperatures below zero. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

And it’s not going to get any better today. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin (JACK-quim-in) says the weather will warm up a little today, only to give way to another frigid night tonight.

Cut 17 (06)  “…and 20s tonight.”

The snow has subsided, but the danger has not. Road conditions will be much worse today than they were yesterday. During a news conference, Governor Landry pointed out that thanks to the frigid overnight lows, the roads are extra slick.

Cut 10 (11) “…extremely, extremely dangerous.”

Colonel Robert Hudges, the superintendent of Louisiana State Police, says troopers were kept busy yesterday.

Cut 15 (13) “…the cold conditions.”

If driving on these roads is unavoidable, please drop your speeds and give yourself a lot of extra stopping distance. Unless your roadway is bone dry, consider 20 miles an hour the absolute maximum safe speed.

New all time record lows were set this morning. National Weather Service Meteorologist Stacey Denson says single digit temperature readings were recorded across southwest Louisiana…

Cut 3 (13) “…in Lafayette.” 

Denson says they are still finalizing snowfall totals, but a large portion of southwest Louisiana saw more than a half foot of snow…

Roads are so treacherous today that if you must drive on them, it seems that the only safe way to do so would be to commandeer a Zamboni machine. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says some areas might not get above freezing today.

Cut 12 (07) “…of the day.”

Overnight lows will once again dip into the teens; but after that, temperatures will work their way back up to normal.

The American Red Cross is supporting 35 warming centers across 30 parishes as brutally cold temperatures continue to grip the state for one more day. Micah Nicholas, the executive director of the Capital West chapter of the American Red Cross, says the Red Cross’ work goes far beyond the warming centers themselves.

Cut 6 (13) “…as they arise.”

This arctic blast will mean that crawfish will be in short supply this weekend. LSU AgCenter crawfish expert Mark Shirley says farmers are putting in a lot of effort to bring crawfish to the market; and despite this winter storm, they are still predicting a better crawfish season this year…

Cut 9 (11)  “…in the catch.”

We’re experiencing cold weather like never before. Temperatures in South Louisiana plunged overnight into the single digits, breaking all-time records. It’s going to be another brutally cold day today, with temperatures in many areas barely getting above freezing, if it does at all. Micah Nicholas, the executive director of the Capital West chapter of the American Red Cross, says the organization is supporting 35 warming centers across 30 parishes.

Cut 4 (08) “…disaster to them.”

There is, however, light at the end of the tunnel. We’re in for one more night of brutally cold temperatures across the state. But LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin (JACK-quim-in) says things will start to get back to normal before a very mild weekend.

Cut 18 (10)   “…60s on Sunday.”

Yesterday was not just a sneaux day, it was a day where lifelong memories were made. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

This arctic blast will mean crawfish will be in short supply at least this weekend. LSU AgCenter crawfish expert Mark Shirley says the mudbugs will bury themselves as deep into the mud as they can…

Cut 7 (11) “…of crawfish.”

Road conditions outside are bad right now, and they’re only going to get worse. DOTD 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 tonight if you possibly can. If you absolutely have to be on the roads, 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.

With conditions outside continuing to deteriorate, state officials are urging you to just stay home, not just this evening and tomorrow, but Thursday as well. Governor Landry has ordered state offices to remain closed through Thursday. If cabin fever starts getting the best of you, Landry has a suggestion for how you can fill the time.

Cut 6 (13) “…eat again.”

Temperatures will dip into the teens overnight and will only get into the high 30s or low 40s tomorrow before another overnight of teens. 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.”

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.

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.