A winter storm system brought snow and freezing temperatures to south Louisiana on Tuesday, with the French Quarter in New Orleans blanketed by 7 a.m. and at least 1-3 inches of snow accumulating across the region. The snowfall led to road and school closures, with officials urging residents to stay home and off the roads.
The snowmelt did not pose a major challenge to the city’s drainage system, with Ghassan Korban, executive director of the Sewerage and Water Board, stating that the 10-to-1 ratio of snowfall to snow melt meant that the snow would likely only amount to about an inch of water when it melts over the next few days.
By late afternoon, snow plow crews were seen plowing snow in Algiers and across the Crescent City Connection, with New Orleans RTA suspending all transit services until Wednesday. Reports of car accidents increased, with Louisiana State Police urging motorists to stay home and stay safe.
Warming centers were opened to provide shelter to those in need, with a parish-by-parish list available. The city and parish government offices, state services, and most city and parish government offices were closed on Tuesday due to the severe weather.
Flights to and from Louis Armstrong International Airport were nearly all canceled on Tuesday, with most airlines planning to resume normal operations on Wednesday. School closures were widespread, with many districts announcing closures for Wednesday and Thursday as well. Grocery stores, including Rouses locations, were closed on Tuesday and had not yet decided on Wednesday.
A curfew was issued in Lafourche Parish, with residents asked to be off the roads by 8 p.m., and St. John the Baptist Parish also announced a dusk to dawn curfew starting Tuesday. The St. Bernard Parish government requested residents to conserve their water use during the snowstorm, and trash pickup was suspended in New Orleans.
The Louisiana Governor, Jeff Landry, urged residents to stay safe and protect pipes, plants, and pets, and officials from various parishes and cities urged residents to stay home and off the roads due to the hazardous driving conditions.