SHREVEPORT, La. – Caddo and Bossier officials have been working to prepare roads, the water system, and warming centers ahead of the upcoming arctic blast forecasted for Monday.
The last major winter storm was in 2021, deemed the “Snow-pocalypse,” and Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux says his administration has been able to study how to benefit from what happened only a few years ago in order to prepare for future winter events.
“We don’t think there will be a repeat of that intense storm in 2021,” Arceneaux said, “We have assets in place from what we learned from the last storm. Our public works department is in place, water and sewerage is ready and prepared to distribute water, and our Caddo officials are working with LA DOTD to prepare our roadways. We should be in very good shape!”
When it comes to treating the roads, Caddo Parish has 847 miles and 166 bridges to maintain. They have coordinated with LA DOTD and Bossier Parish to share responsibility for I-220 and I-20. The number one priority is to pre-treat these roads and keep travelers safe, as well as ensure commerce can flow.
“With I-20 shut down to truck traffic, everything has got to go around,” Said Assistant Director of Public Works Ken Ward, “In order to keep commerce flowing through Caddo into Bossier, we have to keep I-220 open. This is the first time we’ve done this, and we’re going to deploy all of our salt trucks to maintain driving conditions for trucks.”
Shreveport’s water system is over 80 years old, but Director of Water and Sewerage William Daniel says his department is ready to distribute water and fix and pipes that break due to freezing temperatures.
When asked about the confidence in the water system Daniel said, “We have a lot of confidence in our ability to make water and get it out to the citizens. Our distribution system gives me anxiety, but we’ll do everything we can to keep the water flowing through the pipes. We need the residents to also make sure that the pipes in their house are protected and taken care of at the same time. If they do their part, we’ll do our part.”
Daniel says to wrap your pipes, make sure your faucets and taps are dripping throughout the freeze, and locate your water shut off valve as soon as possible in case your pipes burst.
The Department of Water and Sewerage wants citizens to notify them of any burst pipes. Call 318-673-7600 for assistance and the department will send a crew to help fix burst pipes.
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