Southern Louisiana was hit by a historic blizzard on January 21, 2025, bringing heavy snow and cold temperatures to the region. The storm blanketed the area with up to 10 inches of snow in some parts, including Zachary, Louisiana. Public utilities in the area have mostly handled the storm’s challenges, but officials are warning that the situation could worsen in the coming days.
Boil Water Advisory in Lafayette
The biggest impact on services so far has been on the water supply in Lafayette. More than 12,000 customers of the Lafayette Utilities System (LUS) experienced a loss of water pressure on Tuesday. This happened because many people in the area were running their taps to prevent their pipes from freezing. As a result, LUS has issued a boil water advisory for customers living north of Interstate 10. This advisory requires residents to boil water for at least one minute before drinking or cooking with it.
LUS Director Jeffrey Stewart said that while the situation is being worked on, the advisory could last until at least Friday or Saturday. “We won’t begin testing until after we stabilize the system,” he explained. “Once pressure is restored, we’ll sample the water and wait at least 24 hours for the results before clearing the advisory.”
Few Power Outages So Far, but More Expected
On the electricity front, the storm hasn’t caused widespread power outages yet, but that could change as temperatures continue to drop. While some power interruptions were reported in Lafayette, utility companies like Entergy Louisiana were quick to restore power.
Despite the quick responses, utility officials are preparing for more serious issues as the week progresses. Entergy spokesman Brandon Scardigli warned that the cold temperatures could cause more problems. “The deep freeze could bring down tree branches and power lines,” he said. “We’re expecting icy roads, which will make travel and repairs slower.”
In Tangipahoa Parish, over 2,000 Entergy customers lost power after a vehicle slid off the road and hit utility lines. Fortunately, by 8 p.m., Entergy crews had restored power to about half of those affected. The company has about 2,600 workers on standby, ready to respond to any further issues caused by the storm.
Winter Hazards Make Repair Efforts Difficult
Utility crews are ready to respond to any outages, even in the snow and rain. Entergy has equipped its line workers with winterized bucket trucks that have tire chains to help them navigate icy roads. However, the company can only send out crews when wind speeds are below 35 mph, which is the same restriction during hurricane season.
While the utility crews are prepared, the storm’s icy conditions may cause delays in fixing power outages. Cold-load pickup is a concern, as the demand for electricity increases when power is restored, especially during extreme cold weather. “Icy roads and the extra demand for power could slow down restoration efforts,” Entergy said.
Travel Warnings in Effect
As the storm continues, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development has advised drivers to stay off the roads if travel is not necessary. Snow and ice on the roadways are making conditions dangerous, and many vehicles are sliding off the roads, adding to the risk of power outages by damaging infrastructure.
Temperatures are expected to stay below freezing each night until Friday, which means the storm could continue to cause problems for utilities and residents alike.
Preparing for the Worst
Despite the challenges, Louisiana utilities are doing their best to keep the lights on and water flowing. However, officials have urged people to prepare for possible power outages and to use energy wisely in the coming days. “The next couple of nights will definitely test us,” said Stewart. “We’re asking everyone to be ready for anything.”
Residents are being reminded to take steps to protect their homes and families from the extreme cold, including insulating pipes to prevent freezing and keeping extra blankets and warm clothes available. In addition, businesses and households are advised to keep an eye on updates from their local utility providers as conditions continue to change.
As the blizzard continues to impact the region, authorities are urging people to stay safe and be patient as the storm works its way through Southern Louisiana.
(Source : ktbs.com)
