Updated 6:06 p.m. Sun, Jan 19 to report that schools will also be closed on Wednesday.
In addition to the previously announced school closing on Tuesday, it was announced Sunday that schools will also be closed on Wednesday. A decision about Thursday will be announced on Wednesday.
Updated 10:56 a.m. Sun., Jan. 19 to revise snowfall accumulation prediction and arrival time.
Residents of Washington Parish need to be prepared for bitterly cold weather and quite likely a significant accumulation of snow.
That’s what is predicted for this week.
Yesterday (Saturday) the high temperature recorded at Franklinton was 76 degrees.
But what’s that old saying about Southeast Louisiana? “If you don’t like this weather, just wait a little while...it will change.”
And change it will. After hitting 76 degrees on Saturday, the temperature dropped in a very big way the next day, Sunday. On Sunday, January 19, the low overnight will be 23 degrees, according to the forecast. The "feels like" temperature is even lower, due to windy conditions.
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday will be even colder at night, with actual night temperatures ranging from 18 degrees to the low 20’s.
These are temperatures that call for urgent PPP preparation: People, Pets, Pipes. Make sure people and pets have a warm shelter, and protect your pipes and run the water if necessary. In addition, if you have vulnerable outdoor plants, they will need to be heavily protected or, better yet, brought indoors.
In addition, Washington Parish will almost certainly see snowfall on Tuesday. Forecasters are predicting that the parish could see several inches of snow, and perhaps as much as 6 inches. The snowfall is expected to arrive Tuesday morning and continue all day.
The snowfall combined with the extremely low temperatures means that slippery roads are very likely. Don’t drive unless you must, and if you drive, do so very cautiously. Add plenty of following distance, and keep your speed down. Ice patches on roadways are very hard to see. (See the related article from the Louisiana State Police.)
Snow is rare in Washington Parish and we are not accustomed to it. Don't take any chances by driving on snow or ice unless you must. The very best place to experience a snowstorm is.......at home!
Schools were already closed on Monday for Martin Luther King Day, and the prediction of snow closed the schools on Tuesday and Wednesday also. A decision was to be made on Wednesday as to when the schools will re-open. Ice on roads is a concern.
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development is authorizing overtime for some of its workers, who will be preparing the anti-icing materials that will be placed on bridges and some roadways. However, even with bridges prepped to prevent ice, be aware that some bridges in the parish may be closed during the worst period of the freezing weather. Frozen bridges are extremely hazardous --- stay aware!
Washington Parish Sheriff Jason Smith said in a statement from his office, “Next week, Washington Parish will experience temperatures far below normal, with forecasts calling for lows in the high-teens or low-twenties and the possibility of snow and frozen rain.”
“Now is the time to prepare by ensuring your house is ready for a hard freeze event and stocking up on supplies so that you can avoid driving if possible. The roads may be covered in Ice and snow as precipitation falls and can be very dangerous for motorists. These are conditions that we aren’t used to, so we are asking that if you must drive, do it cautiously.”
“We are also asking that you check on pets, neighbors, friends, and family ahead of next week to make sure that they are prepared as well, especially the elderly or sick that may have trouble making preparations themselves.”
He added, “Our offices will be closed on Monday, Jan 20, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, Jan 21. As always, our patrol deputies will be working through the holiday and the upcoming weather, so help them out by doing what you can to plan ahead and prevent emergencies before they happen.”
After the very cold nights of this week, look for a gradual warming trend. By Sunday, Jan. 26, the daytime high temperature will be back up to 65 degrees.
