Louisiana Department of Health confirms 2 winter storm deaths

RIGHT. I’M IVAN RODRIGUEZ, REPORTING. LUCKILY, OUR LIVE CAMERAS ARE WATERPROOF. HERE WE ARE LOOKING TOWARD THE FRENCH QUARTER, TOWARD THE CBD. OBVIOUSLY, RAIN RIGHT NOW IN NEW ORLEANS AND ICE TO THE NORTH OF US. WDSU FIRST WARNING RADAR IS TRACKING IT ALL FOR YOU RIGHT NOW. I’M GOING TO MENTION THE VERY SMALL POSSIBILITY THAT BETWEEN NOW AND, SAY, NOON KENTWOOD FRANKLIN TEN, YOU MIGHT HAVE JUST A LITTLE BIT OF SLEET, MAYBE JUST 1 OR 2 LITTLE SLEET DROPLETS, IF YOU WILL. BUT YOU CAN SEE THAT THE ICE, THAT’S WHAT’S REPRESENTED IN THE PINK ON THE RADAR, IS STAYING TO THE NORTH OF US, AS WE HAVE FORECAST. BUT WE ALSO ARE TRACKING SOME PRETTY GOOD THUNDERSTORMS. AND WE’VE HAD TWO SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT. YOU SEE THOSE BOXES POP UP THE LINE THAT YOU’RE LOOKING AT, STRETCHING FROM SLIDELL DOWN TOWARD THE METRO. THIS LINE COULD PRODUCE SOME WIND GUSTS IN EXCESS OF 40MPH. LOOKS LIKE THE RAIN IS JUST EXITING NEW ORLEANS. KENNER YOU’RE STILL GETTING A COUPLE OF LIGHT SHOWERS, BUT BELLE CHASSE RAIN GETTING HEAVIER FOR YOU IN THE NEXT 5 TO 10 MINUTES. FARTHER TO THE SOUTH, THE LINE NOT AS IMPRESSIVE. JOHN LAFITTE GIVE IT ANOTHER TEN MINUTES AND I THINK YOU’RE GOING TO BE MUCH DRIER. AND GRAND ISLE. SOME SHOWERS THAT ARE CLOSE TO YOU. NOT A LOT OF LIGHTNING OUT THERE, BUT TECHNICALLY, YES, WE DO HAVE SOME THUNDERSTORMS. THE EXTREME COLD WARNING GOES INTO EFFECT TONIGHT. IT’S IN FACT ALL THE WAY UNTIL TUESDAY MORNING. AND TUESDAY MORNING IS ACTUALLY GOING TO BE THE COLDEST MORNING FOR US TEMPERATURE WISE. HERE’S THE BIGGER PERSPECTIVE. YOU CAN SEE ALL THE MOISTURE. AND HERE’S THE BACK LINE OF THE PRECIPITATION. I SHOW YOU THAT BECAUSE ABOUT THREE DAYS AGO, I WAS WORRIED THAT THIS LOW, AS IT MADE ITS WAY TO THE NORTH, MIGHT KICK BACK A LITTLE BIT OF MOISTURE FOR US LATE TONIGHT THROUGH EARLY MONDAY MORNING, WHEN THE TEMPERATURES ARE GOING TO BE VERY, VERY COLD. THAT WOULD BE SOME FREEZING RAIN. I DON’T THINK THAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN. LET’S GO HOUR BY HOUR. THIS MODEL A LITTLE BIT OVERDONE WITH THE THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY. BUT I WILL MENTION THE SMALL POSSIBILITY THAT HERE CLOSE TO THE COAST, WE COULD HAVE A STRONG STORM BETWEEN NOW AND ABOUT NOON. I DON’T THINK IT’S LIKELY ONCE WE GET TO ABOUT THE NOON HOUR, MOST OF THE RAIN MAKING ITS WAY FARTHER TO THE EAST AND THE COLD AIR STARTS TO RUSH IN. WE’LL HANG ON TO THE CLOUDS, BUT BY THE MIDDLE OF THE AFTERNOON, TEMPERATURES FALLING INTO THE 30S IN SOME LOCATIONS. HERE’S THE COLD AIR RUSHING DOWN. IT WILL OBVIOUSLY BE IN PLACE FOR US FOR AT LEAST THE NEXT TWO THREE DAYS MORNINGS, ESPECIALLY COLD ON TUESDAY. LET’S TAKE YOU THROUGH THIS EVENING, AND I PAUSE THIS AT ABOUT 930. WE’RE GETTING SOME RAIN RIGHT NOW, OVER A HALF AN INCH OF RAIN IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES ON THE NORTH SHORE, TEMPERATURES NOW AT ABOUT 930 10:00. GETTING TO THE FREEZING MARK. WILL THERE BE ENOUGH MOISTURE ON THE ROADS TO POSSIBLY PRODUCE A LITTLE BIT OF FREEZING PRECIPITATION? SOME ICY ROADWAYS? TRANSPORTATION OFFICIALS ARE THINKING ABOUT THIS, AND THEY’RE PREPARED FOR THAT POSSIBILITY, AS WE SHOWED YOU EARLIER. BUT ONCE WE GET TO ABOUT TEN, 11:00, THAT’S WHEN TEMPERATURES IN SOME SPOTS ARE GOING TO BE BELOW FREEZING, OBVIOUSLY, ACROSS THE BOARD TOMORROW MORNING, WE’RE GOING TO BE WAY BELOW FREEZING. AND THIS DOESN’T TELL THE WHOLE STORY. THE WIND CHILL FACTOR IS GOING TO BE IN THE TEENS, MAYBE EVEN THE SINGLE DIGITS. AND I THINK WE’RE GOING TO BE EVEN COLDER ON TUESDAY MORNING. EVEN WEDNESDAY IS GOING TO BE COLD FOR SO WEATHER ALERT DAYS ALL THE WAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY. NOW WE’RE TALKING ABOUT THE COLD WEATHER. THAT’S WHAT WE’RE MOST CONCERNED ABOUT TOMORROW MORNING. 20 ON THE NORTH SHORE. WIND CHILL FACTORS IN THE TEENS. WE HAVE THAT EXTREME COLD WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL TUESDAY MORNING. TUESDAY MORNING IS GOING TO BE THE COLDEST MORNING TEMPERATURE WISE. OBVIOUSLY, TAKE ALL THE PRECAUTIONS. PROTECT THE PIPES, PROTECT THE PLANTS. STILL BELOW FREEZING WEDNESDAY MORNING, THEN A BIT OF A WARMING TREND FOR US. MID 50S ON FRIDAY

Updated: 11:25 AM CST Jan 25, 2026

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The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed two winter storm-related deaths in Caddo Parish. Two men died due to hypothermia, and their ages are unknown. Both deaths were confirmed by the parish coroner as storm-related. During extreme winter weather, LDH urges residents to stay safe: Heating safetyEnsure that you have a working smoke detector and a carbon monoxide detector.Have a fire extinguisher and know how to use it.Ensure your heating system has been properly serviced and is clean, functioning correctly, and properly ventilated to the exterior. If you use a fireplace or chimney, have it inspected and cleaned as well.Do not use gas or electric ovens or stoves for heating. Gas ovens may go out or burn inefficiently, leading to carbon monoxide poisoning. Electric ovens are not designed for space heating.Do not burn outdoor barbecue materials indoors, even in a fireplace.Plug space heaters directly into the wall socket, not into extension cords. Do not use the heater if the cords are frayed or splitting. Place space heaters 3 to 5 feet away from bedding or other flammable materials.Never allow children to play with or around the heater. Unplug the heater when not in use. Never leave the heater unattended.Generator safetyNever use portable generators indoors. This includes a garage, carport, basement, crawl space, or other enclosed or partially enclosed area, even those with ventilation.Gas-powered generators produce carbon monoxide, which is odorless and colorless. Inhaling carbon monoxide can very quickly lead to full incapacitation or death.Opening windows or doors or using fans will not prevent the buildup of carbon monoxide. If you start to feel sick, dizzy or weak while using a generator, get to fresh air immediately.Place generators outside, more than 20 feet away from the home, doors, windows and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors. Do not refuel when hot.Keep the generator dry and do not use it in wet conditions. BBQ grill safetyNever use charcoal grills, propane grills, or portable gas camp stoves indoors, in a garage, or on a screened-in porch.Grills produce high levels of carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless and deadly gas.If using a grill outdoors, position the grill in a well-ventilated, outdoor, sheltered area away from snow, ice, and most importantly, away from siding or flammable materials.Alcohol and hypothermiaAlcohol consumption can increase the risk of hypothermia both physiologically and through impaired decision-making. It causes blood vessels to dilate (vasodilation), making the skin feel warm while increasing heat loss. Alcohol also:Reduces the shivering response, which is the body’s natural way of producing heat, keeping the body warm. Causes our brainstem to lower our core body temperature.Impairs judgment, which can lead to risky behaviors such as not dressing appropriately in very cold weather and not responding appropriately to signs of hypothermia such as shivering, slurred speech or mumbling.Drink responsibly and limit the amount of time you spend outside when the temperature is near or below freezing. Additional tipsWear warm clothes and go to a public place like a library, recreation center or mall for temporary relief.Protect outdoor pipes, bring in plants and pets and take other necessary precautions.Louisiana State Police said Sunday that troopers are monitoring winter weather conditions, as freezing temperatures have resulted in icy roadways, along with reports of downed power lines and tree debris in parts of Louisiana. Ice remains the primary concern, particularly on bridges and overpasses, which tend to freeze before other road surfaces.LSP says that even when roadways appear clear, icy patches may still be present and difficult to see. Drivers should continue to use caution today.LSP says that if you do not need to be on the road, the safest decision is to delay travel until conditions improve.Troopers and partner agencies continue to monitor roadway conditions. For the latest road information, motorists are encouraged to use the 511 system by dialing 511, visiting 511la.org, or using the Louisiana 511 mobile app. Continue to follow Louisiana State Police and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) social media channels for real-time updates.

LOUISIANA —

The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed two winter storm-related deaths in Caddo Parish. Two men died due to hypothermia, and their ages are unknown.

Both deaths were confirmed by the parish coroner as storm-related.

During extreme winter weather, LDH urges residents to stay safe:

Heating safety

Ensure that you have a working smoke detector and a carbon monoxide detector.
Have a fire extinguisher and know how to use it.
Ensure your heating system has been properly serviced and is clean, functioning correctly, and properly ventilated to the exterior. If you use a fireplace or chimney, have it inspected and cleaned as well.
Do not use gas or electric ovens or stoves for heating. Gas ovens may go out or burn inefficiently, leading to carbon monoxide poisoning. Electric ovens are not designed for space heating.
Do not burn outdoor barbecue materials indoors, even in a fireplace.
Plug space heaters directly into the wall socket, not into extension cords. Do not use the heater if the cords are frayed or splitting.
Place space heaters 3 to 5 feet away from bedding or other flammable materials.
Never allow children to play with or around the heater.
Unplug the heater when not in use.
Never leave the heater unattended.

Generator safety

Never use portable generators indoors. This includes a garage, carport, basement, crawl space, or other enclosed or partially enclosed area, even those with ventilation.
Gas-powered generators produce carbon monoxide, which is odorless and colorless. Inhaling carbon monoxide can very quickly lead to full incapacitation or death.
Opening windows or doors or using fans will not prevent the buildup of carbon monoxide.
If you start to feel sick, dizzy or weak while using a generator, get to fresh air immediately.
Place generators outside, more than 20 feet away from the home, doors, windows and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors. Do not refuel when hot.
Keep the generator dry and do not use it in wet conditions.

BBQ grill safety

Never use charcoal grills, propane grills, or portable gas camp stoves indoors, in a garage, or on a screened-in porch.
Grills produce high levels of carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless and deadly gas.
If using a grill outdoors, position the grill in a well-ventilated, outdoor, sheltered area away from snow, ice, and most importantly, away from siding or flammable materials.

Alcohol and hypothermia

Alcohol consumption can increase the risk of hypothermia both physiologically and through impaired decision-making. It causes blood vessels to dilate (vasodilation), making the skin feel warm while increasing heat loss.

Alcohol also:

Reduces the shivering response, which is the body’s natural way of producing heat, keeping the body warm.
Causes our brainstem to lower our core body temperature.
Impairs judgment, which can lead to risky behaviors such as not dressing appropriately in very cold weather and not responding appropriately to signs of hypothermia such as shivering, slurred speech or mumbling.

Drink responsibly and limit the amount of time you spend outside when the temperature is near or below freezing.

Additional tips

Wear warm clothes and go to a public place like a library, recreation center or mall for temporary relief.
Protect outdoor pipes, bring in plants and pets and take other necessary precautions.

Louisiana State Police said Sunday that troopers are monitoring winter weather conditions, as freezing temperatures have resulted in icy roadways, along with reports of downed power lines and tree debris in parts of Louisiana. Ice remains the primary concern, particularly on bridges and overpasses, which tend to freeze before other road surfaces.

LSP says that even when roadways appear clear, icy patches may still be present and difficult to see. Drivers should continue to use caution today.

LSP says that if you do not need to be on the road, the safest decision is to delay travel until conditions improve.

Troopers and partner agencies continue to monitor roadway conditions. For the latest road information, motorists are encouraged to use the 511 system by dialing 511, visiting 511la.org, or using the Louisiana 511 mobile app. Continue to follow Louisiana State Police and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) social media channels for real-time updates.

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Heating safety

Generator safety

BBQ grill safety

Alcohol and hypothermia

Additional tips

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