DOTD is prepping roadways for tomorrow’s snowstorm. Andrew Greenstein reports.
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
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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.”
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Governor Jeff 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 of the winter precipitation starts falling, stay off the roads…
Cut 3 (12) “…to travel.”
Landry is also urging outdoorsmen not to hunt during the snowstorm…
Cut 4 (13) “…proper shelter.”
Louisiana is also expecting the coldest temperatures of the winter with temperatures dropping into the teens Tuesday night into Wednesday. A homeless man died from hypothermia earlier this month when Louisiana experienced cold temperatures. Landry is encouraging local governments to open warming shelters…
Cut 5 (14) “…safe as well.”
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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 while prep work started yesterday, it will continue throughout the day today.
Cut 7 (14) “…to ice over.”
Since there are no snowplows anywhere in the State of Louisiana, DOTD is bringing in help from Arkansas to perform those tasks as needed. A 14-mile stretch of I-49 in Rapides Parish is closed due to the incoming storm, and conditions may force additional Interstates closures, but Mallett says he hopes it doesn’t come to that.
Cut 8 (09) “…during this storm.”
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South Louisiana is under a winter storm warning as residents prepare for a rare heavy snow event expected to begin tonight. According to LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim, this is a generational storm for South Louisiana.
Cut 9 (18) “…major snow here.”
Keim says it’s expected to snow most of the day on Tuesday and prepare for more than just flurries.
Cut 10 (16) “…in this particular case.”
Keim says the snowfall will end tomorrow night, but Wednesday will be brutally cold, and the snow will stick around. He advises residents to stay off the roads if possible and take necessary precautions to stay warm and safe.
Cut 11 (12) “…hang around in your neighborhood.”
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Louisiana State Police are getting ready for the winter storm. Trooper Shelby Mayfield says they’ve been getting ready for the last several days.
Cut 12 (12) “…or any emergencies”
Trooper 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 common sense.
Cut 14 (06) “…cruise control on.”