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BATON ROUGE — Gov. Edwards has declared a state of emergency due to the current heavy rainfall totals beginning to impact the state and the potential for wintry conditions beginning this weekend and extending to next week.
While the forecast beyond the weekend is still uncertain, the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) is urging all Louisianans to plan accordingly. Flash flooding from heavy rains can happen very quickly. While flooded roadways and flash flooding are the immediate concerns, there is the potential for additional weather issues beginning tomorrow. The National Weather Service (NWS) indicates an Arctic high pressure system is pushing south, bringing with it the coldest air of the season to at least portions of the state.
“Already in Louisiana we have communities that have seen the impacts of flash flooding and water on the roadways, and there is the potential for worse weather and bad conditions as the days go on. Now is the time for people to make a plan for the coming days that could include staying at home during severe weather,” Gov. John Bel Edwards said. “Monitor the local news and updates from the National Weather Service and your local leaders, check on your neighbors and stay safe.”
“The conditions over the next few days include a number of threats,” said GOHSEP Director Jim Waskom. “Right now we know heavy rain is forcing street closures in some regions and a flash flood threat will continue. We also know that dangerous winter weather conditions are in the forecast for Louisiana through the middle of next week. That means we all must remain aware of the severe weather threat, finalize your emergency plans for the winter weather threat and be ready to adjust those plans due any changes in the forecast or due to potential weather alerts being issued.”
Community sites for COVID testing managed by Louisiana’s National Guard will close on Monday and Tuesday.

The NWS Shreveport office supplied the following information:

Timing and Overview:
- Lingering freezing rain/drizzle in some areas across the region.
- Confidence is increasing in a major winter storm for the region on Monday with another winter storm on Wednesday.
- Cold temperatures and dangerous wind chills expected Monday and Tuesday.

Remember to take certain steps to prepare for the freezing temperatures. For pets and animals, bring them inside wherever possible and make sure drinking water stays unfrozen. For your home, protect your pipes and safely operate heating devices.

Check on friends, neighbors or family members that may struggle with these weather conditions.

If travel is in your plans, visit www.511.la.org for updates on road conditions. GOHSEP is closely monitoring this weather threat and stands ready to support our local partners and state agencies if help if needed.

Find more tips on weather and preparedness on GOHSEP’s Facebook and Twitter accounts. Listen to conversations on all aspects of emergency management by downloading GOHSEP’s The Get A Game Plan Podcast. You can receive emergency alerts on most smartphones and tablets by downloading the new Alert FM App. It is free for basic service. The Get A Game Plan App is another resource available to help you and your family prepare for any type of emergency. You can download the Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Guide and find other information at www.getagameplan.org.

RAYNE — Detectives with the Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office are investigating a shooting incident that occurred on Friday, Feb. 5, at approximately 5:25 p.m.
The incident occurred on Addie Drive, west of Rayne.
The suspect’s vehicle was captured on video surveillance following the victim’s vehicle. Multiple shots were fired, striking the victim’s car.
The suspect’s vehicle is described as an older-model, white, four-door Buick LeSabre with dark-tinted windows.
The victim was transported to a local hospital with non-fatal injuries. The motive is unknown at this time.
Anyone with information regarding this crime is urged to call the tips line at 789-TIPS or download the P3 app on a mobile device to report a tip anonymously.
All callers will remain anonymous and can receive up to a $2,500 cash reward for information leading to an arrest in this case.

For the past few months, the City of Abbeville’s parks director position has been vacant.
Denise Mire, the former director, moved to another position in city hall. With the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the ability to have sports last fall, city officials did not immediately fill the position.
Now, the city is currently taking applications for the position, one that would oversee operations in the city’s 11 parks.
“Anyone interested in the position can apply at city hall,” Mayor Mark Piazza said Wednesday morning.
Recreation for the city has been handled by Quality Sports Authority (QSA) since 2017. The non-profit organization, based in Erath, agreed to a three-year contract renewal with the city in February of ‘20. The contract does allow for either side to opt out, with a notice of 90 days. The contract pays QSA $75,000 annually.
Abbeville’s Parks and Recreation Board did meet Tuesday night. Part of the discussion included a proposal from QSA that would have the organization take over the duties of parks director.
“The only thing that is on the table right now is the parks director job,” Piazza said.
“At the next city council meeting, the council is going to decide if they want to consider QSA’s proposal to do the parks director job.”
The next council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 2. It will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the rec building at A.A. Comeaux Park.
The proposal from QSA currently represents the only applicant for the parks director position. Should the council agree to accept QSA’s proposal, it would create a contract for QSA separate from its recreation contract.
“It would be for $25,000 and be a completely different contract,” Piazza explained. “The council will decide if they want to approve that contract. Or they will decide if they want to proceed with the hiring of a parks director.”
Again, in the meantime, anyone interested in the parks director job can apply at Abbeville City Hall.
“The job is still available,” Piazza said, “if people want to apply for it.”

BATON ROUGE — The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development staff is preparing to respond in the event of adverse weather. Forecasts call for freezing temperatures with the possibility of wintry precipitation in some areas of the state this coming weekend.
DOTD will have crews out scouting the roadways and bridges and will be prepared to respond, if necessary.
Supply inventories and equipment have been checked, and crews will be available to monitor bridges and elevated sections of roadways when safe to do so in order to perform emergency winter weather operations as necessary. In addition, DOTD will continue to closely monitor upcoming weather situations.
DOTD is prepared to close bridges and elevated sections of roadway that are deemed unsafe when resources and worker safety allows. Motorists are advised to be aware that some bridges and roadways may become unsafe for travel before a closure notice is issued.
Drivers should not be on the roadway during hazardous driving conditions.
For the most up-to-date road status information, DOTD offers motorists various resources:
511 Traveler Information: Travelers can find information regarding road closures by downloading the Louisiana 511 mobile app or by visiting the 511 Traveler Information website at www.511la.org(link is external). This website is updated in real time with changing road conditions.
MyDOTD: Motorists can receive up-to-date information on local projects, lane and road closures, and other DOTD activity by signing up for MyDOTD at www.dotd.la.gov(link is external).
Social Media: Find DOTD on social media for updates and information. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
DOTD urges motorists to stay off the roads during hazardous driving conditions. DOTD will do everything it can to keep Louisiana’s highways and interstate system open in the event of freezing rain, sleet or snow and will prioritize the maintenance and opening of routes based on traffic volumes.
During winter weather conditions, motorists should adhere to the following driving safety tips:
Drive slowly and carefully.
Avoid driving while distracted.
Always allow for extra driving time.
Avoid using cruise control.
Reduce speeds when visibility is low.
Make sure there is plenty of room between vehicles.
Be on the lookout for DOTD crews and other emergency responders and their equipment
Remember that it’s unlawful and unsafe to drive around a road closed barricade for any reason
Also, beware of black ice — a thin, transparent layer of ice accumulation that can be visually hard to detect on bridges, overpasses, off-ramps and in shady spots. As always, DOTD reminds motorists to buckle up and refrain from distracted driving or driving under the influence.