Below freezing 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.”
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The highest snowfall total recorded in Louisiana happened in Chalmette, 11.5 inches. Sean Richardson has more.
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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…
Denson says they are still finalizing snowfall totals, but a large portion of southwest Louisiana saw more than a half foot of snow…
Cut 4 (07) “…in Acadia Parish.”
Eight-inch snowfall totals were recorded in Jennings, Opelousas, Lafayette, Jeanerette and even in Morgan City. Denson says the wind was so strong and the snowfall was coming down so fast, the National Weather Service in Lake Charles issued its first ever blizzard warning on Tuesday morning….
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Who got the most snow yesterday? Looks like the winner is Chalmette as the New Orleans suburb recorded 11.5 inches of snow. St. Bernard Parish Director of Homeland Security John Rahaim (ram) says it was a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence.
Rahaim says the snow as beautiful to look at, unfortunately there were a few people injured while performing dangerous stunts.
Cut 7 (15) “…shouldn’t be doing”
Rahaim says the historic snowfall was great, but he’s ready for it go to away.
Cut 8 (11) “…here pretty soon.”
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Since the start of the storm, DOTD has worked around the clock to treat roadways with salt and brine. Spokesman Rodney Mallett says that work continues today and beyond.
Cut 9 (11) “…tonight and tomorrow.”
For now, all Interstate freeways throughout South Louisiana from Lake Charles eastward remain closed. Mallett says it’s unclear when they will reopen.
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.
To stay up to date on road conditions, go to 511la.org.
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Get used to this snow; it’s going to be around for a few more days. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says while it will be warmer tomorrow, it won’t warm up to the point to cause any significant melting.
Cut 12 (09) “…into the weekend.”
Keim says furthermore, despite the slightly warmer temperatures, we will not be out of the woods with dangerous conditions just yet.
But Keim says if you can just survive tomorrow, we will see significant melting starting Friday.