A major winter storm is blanketing much of the state with snow. Andrew Greenstein has more,,,

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein”

We are accustomed to hurricane warnings in Louisiana, but how about a blizzard warning. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says southwest and south-central Louisiana, including Lafayette, Lake Charles, and Pecan Island are under a blizzard warning until noon…

Cut 21 (07) “….not recommended”

Tonight will feature several inches of snow on the ground and near record low temperatures in the teens for a good part of the state. Dennis Rodriguez with Pardigm Plumbing in Baton Rouge says get outside and cover any exposed pipes, including the hose bibbs. Rodriguez says if you don’t those water lines could burst when the weather warms back up…

Cut 8 (12) “…a full stream”

As of right now, Entergy is reporting 850 customers without power and a good percentage of those are in the Baton Rouge area. Vice President of Reliability Jason Willis says customers can stay informed through Entergy’s app…

Cut 11 (10) “…restoration times”

The snow we were expecting is coming down. Governor Jeff Landry….

Cut 14 (08) “…those bridges kindley”

The I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge is closed, I-10 between LaPlace and Slidell is closed, I-55 between Ponchatoula and Laplace is closed, the Causeway Bridge is closed and so is I-49 through Alexandria.

With a winter storm hitting the state, Triple-A has this advice for motorists. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Since this is mainly a snow event and not an ice storm, there’s hope we will not see a lot of power outages. Entergy Vice President of Reliability Jason Willis says they spent several days preparing for this winter event…

Cut 10 (10) “…going to see”

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

If you are sitting around the house wondering what you can do to make sure your house can hold up against the winter storm, local plumber Dennis Rodriguez says make sure all water hoses are disconnected from the outside of the house…

Cut 9 (12) “….wall to burst”

Rodriguez says it’s not too late to wrap those pipes and cover the spigots.

The snow is falling across much of Louisiana, and it’s expected to keep coming down for several more hours. 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 the snow is making traveling treacherous. Department of Transportation Secretary Joe Donahue…

Cut 15 (07) “…portions of I-10”

And we have reached that point. I-10 is closed from I-49 in Lafayette to Louisiana Highway 415 in West Baton Rouge Parish. I-10 is also closed in parts of Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Sections of I-55 have also been closed. I-49 through Alexandria is also closed.

In preparation of the winter storm, Entergy has 16-hundred workers ready to respond to power outages….

Cut 12 (11) “…..the coming days’

That’s Entergy Vice President of Reliability Jason Willis who says restoration may be delayed by icy roads.

Once the snow moves out, we can expect some bitterly cold temperatures, so make sure those pipes are protected. Colleen Crain has more…

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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.

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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.

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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 as the historic winter weather is expected for much of central and south Louisiana.

Cut 3 (12) “…to travel.”

Louisiana State Police have been preparing for the winter storm for the last several days. Trooper Shelby Mayfield…

Cut 12 (12) “…or any emergencies”

He is urging everyone to stay off the roadways unless they absolutely must drive. He says the troopers and other emergency personnel will be responding to emergencies in the same hazardous road conditions.

Rodney Mallett with DOTD says crews have been busy prepping the roads. And since there are no snowplows anywhere in the State of Louisiana, DOTD is bringing in help from Arkansas. 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.”

Louisiana is bracing for historic winter weather for this region. Snow and ice are not things that Louisiana is accustomed to and Rodney Mallett with DOTD says crews have been busy prepping the roads for severe driving conditions in anticipation of this historic weather event for Louisiana.

Cut 6 (14) “…across the state.”

He says crews from Arkansas will be coming to Louisiana to help with things like plowing roadways.

LSU Public Health Climatologist, Barry 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.”

With Louisiana expecting a historic snowfall Tuesday, Governor Jeff Landry has issued a state of emergency and is urging outdoorsmen not to hunt during the snowstorm and frigid temperatures.

Cut 4 (13) “…proper shelter.”

Louisiana State Police are getting ready for the winter storm. Trooper Shelby Mayfield says they’re doubling patrols to be ready for any emergency. He 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.”

Governor Jeff Landry has issued a state of emergency as two to six inches of snow is expected in much of central and south Louisiana and temperatures will be dropping into the teens Tuesday night into Wednesday. Earlier this month when temperatures fell, a homeless man died from hypothermia. Landry is encouraging local governments to open warming shelters.

Cut 5 (14) “…safe as well.”

For the last several days, Louisiana State Police have been preparing for the rare winter conditions for the region. And with snow coming, Trooper Shelby Mayfield asks drivers to stay off the roads but says if you absolutely have to be on the roadways, use common sense.

Cut 14 (06) “…cruise control on.”

DOTD is prepping roadways for tomorrow’s snowstorm. Andrew Greenstein reports.

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According to LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim, this is a generational storm for South Louisiana.

Cut 9 (18)  “…major snow here.”

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.”