Shreveport Mayor on Ice Storm Warning: 'Please Stay Home'

Ice Storm Warning and Conditions

• ⚠️ Northern Louisiana is under an ice storm warning until Sunday night, with up to an inch of ice possible in Shreveport.
• ❄️ The city is experiencing a wintry mix, primarily sleet, which is less dangerous to power lines than freezing rain.
• 🛣️ Roads that were cleared yesterday will require additional work due to ongoing accumulation, and driving is expected to be impossible.

City Preparedness and Response

• 🏠 The primary message to citizens is to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel.
• 🌨️ Shreveport has acquired snow plows for the first time to help clear streets, alongside sand and salt application.
• 🏢 City offices will be closed on Monday due to the ongoing hazardous conditions and freezing temperatures.

Power Grid and Infrastructure

• ⚡ Power outages are occurring but are mostly local; the main transmission system remains operational.
• 🤝 Shreveport is served by AEP SWEPCO, which has established a base camp with mutual aid from other utilities to manage the situation.

Flood Concerns and Drainage

• 💧 Despite the ice and snow, there are no significant concerns about flooding due to the city's robust drainage system, which was upgraded in the 1990s.
• 🌧️ The drainage system is capable of handling heavier rainfall than what is expected from the melting ice and snow.

Recommendations for Residents

• 🍲 Residents should ensure they have prepared food and supplies in case of power loss.
• 🗓️ A daily command briefing will provide updated information on the storm's impact and power restoration efforts.