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.”

With the winter storm hitting the state, Triple-A shares some tips to get your vehicle ready for the freezing weather. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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If you haven’t already done so, now is the time to protect your home from this arctic blast. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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It’s a snowstorm that South Louisiana hasn’t seen in six decades – and it’s coming today. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Triple-A is advising drivers in South Louisiana to prepare their vehicles, plan their trips, and exercise caution when driving in winter weather. Don Redman of Triple-A says unless it’s an emergency, stay off the road.

Cut 4 (07) “…stay home.”

Redman says to prepare your vehicle there are a few suggestions. First, check the battery.

Cut 5 (14) “…cold battery.”

Redman says Triple-A also offers 24/7 roadside assistance and towing services to help drivers facing winter emergencies but suggests drivers keep a few items in their car.

Cut 6 (08) “…off the road.”

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If you haven’t already done so, protect the pipes in and around your house to avoid damage during this arctic blast. Dennis Rodriguez with Paradigm Plumbing in Baton Rouge says you’ll want to drip all your faucets inside your home – both hot and cold faucets.

Cut 7 (09) “…in the house.”

Rodriguez says you also need to cover your hose bibs on the outside of your house. A styrofoam box-shaped cover sold in home improvement stores should do the trick. If you don’t, those water lines could burst when the weather warms back up.

Cut 8 (12) “…a full stream.”

Rodriguez says you’ll also want to disconnect any hoses on the outside of the house.

Cut 9 (12)  “…wall to burst.”

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As Louisiana faces potentially historic winter weather, Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans prioritize customer safety and efficient power restoration. VP of Reliability Jason Willis says both companies have conducted extensive system patrols and implemented measures to prepare for severe conditions.

Cut 10 (10) “…going to see.”

Willis encourages customers to prepare by creating emergency plans, winterizing homes, and staying informed through Entergy’s app and safety resources.

Cut 11 (10) “…restoration times.”

Willis says 16-hundred workers are on standby, but restoration may be delayed by icy roads and cold-load pickup challenges.

Cut 12 (13) “…the coming days.”

Cleco has also secured 500 line mechanics and vegetation management contractors in preparation for possible outages.

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Soon, Central and South Louisiana will be gripped with crippling conditions. The entire Gulf Coast Region, which normally does not get severe winter storms, is expected to get several inches of snow today. During a news conference at GOHSEP headquarters, Governor Landry said with Louisiana not having any snowplows, help is on the way from Arkansas.

Cut 13 (17)  “…and eight drivers.”

As you probably know by now, bridges freeze much more quickly than surface roadways. As such, several long stretches of major roadways will be impassable.

Cut 14 (08) “…those bridges kindly.”

Joe Donahue with DOTD says despite crews’ best efforts, they will likely have no other choice than to shut down sections of I-10.

Cut 15 (07) “…portions of I-10.”

State Climatologist Jay Grymes says the Gulf Coast has certainly seen snow before; but all those previous times, the snow has been localized.

Cut 16 (11) “…since the 60s”

And Grymes says that snowfall will impact all of South Louisiana up to a portion of Central Louisiana.

Cut 17 (07)  “…a travel standpoint.”

Grymes says people in Central and South Louisiana should be prepared to be housebound for at least the next two days.

With snow approaching Central and South Louisiana and brutal cold gripping the whole state, Governor Landry has issued a state of emergency. With temperatures expected to drop into the teens overnight, Landry is encouraging local governments to open warming shelters…

Cut 5 (14) “…safe as well.”

Central and South Louisiana could see snowfall not seen since the 1960s. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says these are not flurries that those areas could expect.

Cut 10 (16) “…in this particular case.”

Keim says the snow will stick around after the snowfall ends tomorrow night

Needless to say, while not unprecedented, snow and ice are not things that Louisiana is accustomed to. Rodney Mallett with DOTD says crews spent the weekend preparing for the storm, and those preparations continued throughout much of the day today.

Cut 7 (14) “…to ice over.”

Louisiana State Police Trooper Shelby Mayfield says when the snow starts falling, if you do not have to be out on the roadways, stay off them.

Cut 13 (14)  “…have to be.”

Mayfield says if you absolutely have to be on the roadways, use extreme caution.

South Louisiana braces for a winter storm that is expected to start tonight and end tomorrow night.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Governor Jeff Landry has issued a state of emergency ahead of the snow. Landry says once the winter precipitation starts falling, stay off the roads.

Cut 3 (12) “…to travel.”

Louisiana State Police are getting ready for the winter storm. Trooper Shelby Mayfield:

Cut 12 (12) “…or any emergencies”

DOTD is also getting ready, brining major roadways and bridges. Spokesman Rodney Mallett says prep work started over the weekend and will continue throughout the day today.

Cut 7 (14) “…to ice over.”

And since Louisiana doesn’t have a single snowplow in the state, mainly due to a lack of need, the state is bringing some in from Arkansas, where snow is not nearly as uncommon as it is here. Conditions may force some of the Interstates to have to close, but Mallett says he hopes it doesn’t come to that.

South Louisiana is under a winter storm warning. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s expected to snow most of the day tomorrow, and it will be more than just flurries.

Cut 10 (16) “…in this particular case.”

DOTD has spent the last few days getting ready for the storm. Since there are no snowplows anywhere in the State of Louisiana, DOTD is bringing in help from Arkansas to perform those tasks as needed. Conditions may force some of the Interstates to have to close, but Mallett says he hopes it doesn’t come to that.

Cut 8 (09) “…during this storm.”

Mallett says crews have spent the last few days prepping the roads for whatever Mother Nature has in store.

The Humane Society of Louisiana urges pet owners to provide extra protection from the cold as temperatures will drop into the 20’s and 30’s overnight across the state. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 27 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson”

Governor Landry declared a state of emergency and is urging outdoorsmen not to hunt during the snowstorm…

Cut 4 (13) “…proper shelter.”

Governor Landry has issued a state of emergency for the entire state. This, as it will be experiencing some of the coldest temperatures of the season, with overnight lows dipping into the teens in some areas tomorrow night. Landry is encouraging local governments to open warming shelters.

Cut 5 (14) “…safe as well.”

A homeless man died from hypothermia earlier this month when Louisiana experienced cold temperatures.

With heavy snow expected to begin tonight, South Louisiana is under a winter storm warning. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says this is a generational storm for South Louisiana.

Cut 9 (18)  “…major snow here.”

Keim says the snowfall will end tomorrow night.

Needless to say, while not unprecedented, snow and ice are not things that Louisiana is accustomed to. Rodney Mallett with DOTD says crews have been busy prepping the roads for severe driving conditions.

Cut 6 (14) “…across the state.”

Mallett says that will continue throughout the day today, and crews from Arkansas will be coming to Louisiana to help with things like plowing roadways.

Jayden Daniels’ magical season for the Washington Commanders continues for at least another week. The Commanders ousted the NFC’s top seed, the Detroit Lions, 45-31, in the Divisional Playoffs. The Heisman Trophy-winning former LSU quarterback said the Lions didn’t go 15-and-2 in the regular season for nothing.

Cut 17 (06)  “…challenge for us.”

Daniels came up a yard short of 300 yards and threw two touchdown passes.

Governor Landry has issued a state of emergency as two to six inches of snow is expected to fall across much of central and south Louisiana. Landry says once the winter precipitation starts falling, stay off the roads…

Cut 3 (12) “…to travel.”

National Weather Service Meteorologist Donald Jones says while temperatures tomorrow night into Wednesday will be in the teens for most of the state, it’s the snow that everyone is talking about. Jones says because temperatures will be below freezing for most of the day on Tuesday, freezing rain is less likely…

Cut 16 (16) “…freezing rain.”

What’s old will soon be new in the White House; as for just the second time in U.S. history, a former President will be inaugurated as President. Donald Trump takes the oath of office in the Capitol Rotunda at 11 Central time this morning. Historically, the party in power almost always loses seats in the House in midterm elections, so Republicans may only have two years to pass some of Trump’s most ambitious goals. Congresswoman Julia Letlow says she’s not worried about that.

Cut 5 (08) “…I possibly can.”

With temperatures dropping into the 20s and 30s overnight across Louisiana, the Humane Society of Louisiana urges pet owners to provide extra protection from the cold. Executive Director Jeff Dorson says if you’re cold, your pets likely are too.

Cut 10 (10) “…the best policy.”