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UPDATE: Choctaw Road has been reopened. URGENT: Chackbay Volunteer Fire Department is on the scene of a crash in the 200 block of Choctaw Road. Choctaw Road is closed at Highway 20 until further notice. A WIND ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10:00 PM THIS EVENING for Southeast Louisiana.
South winds from 25 to 35 mph with higher gusts are expected. Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. Click HERE to view the official alert. Following almost six weeks of improvements in Louisiana’s COVID case counts and a sustained decrease in COVID-related hospitalizations, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced today that Louisiana will move forward to Phase 3. This will bring most COVID restrictions back to where they were last September. Louisiana’s statewide mask mandate, which has been in place since last July, will remain in place. The Governor’s new order will last for 28 days and will expire March 31, 2021.
Overall, Louisiana’s percent positivity for COVID-19 tests is 5 percent, one third of the positivity rate six weeks ago. The state has completed more than 6 million COVID tests and administered more than 1 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccines. “Since we stepped back into more increased restrictions more than three months ago, the goal has been to slow the spread and avoid overwhelming our hospitals, which we have done thanks to the hard work of many Louisianans,” Gov. Edwards said. “These Phase 3 restrictions will keep some common sense and lifesaving limitations in place while we work to continue keeping the case counts down and administering the vaccines to as many Louisianans as quickly as we can. “As we are cautiously reducing some of the restrictions related to slowing the spread of COVID, it is even more critical that people take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and those around them. This includes wearing face masks, practicing social distancing, washing their hands frequently, staying home when they are sick or have been exposed and getting the vaccine when it is their turn. The last several weeks have been full of hopeful milestones, including a third COVID vaccine and the state administering more than one million doses. But we also know that COVID variants, which we know are more contagious, are active in Louisiana. In nearly a year of battling this pandemic, we have lost almost 10,000 of our fellow Louisianans, and many people have suffered greatly. It is incumbent upon all of us to do our part to help put this pandemic behind us and save lives.” The majority of businesses, including restaurants and salons, will be able to move to 75 percent of their capacity and indoor gatherings and event centers will be capped at 50 percent of their capacity but limited to 250 people. Religious services will no longer have capacity limits, social distancing is strongly encouraged and masking will still be required. Gyms and fitness centers will remain at 50 percent of their capacity, based on recent research from the CDC that raises concern about the spread of COVID-19 in these settings. Bars in all parishes will be able to open for indoor service at 25 percent capacity, not to exceed 250 people, but those in parishes where the percent positivity is 5 percent or lower for two consecutive weeks may have indoor service at 50 percent capacity, not to exceed 250 people. Alcohol sales still must end at 11 p.m. and no one younger than 21 years old can enter a bar. Patrons must be masked at all times except when consuming food or drink, and they must be served at socially distanced tables. Live music will be allowed indoors under additional guidance provided by the State Fire Marshal. Indoor gatherings may operate at 50 percent capacity with a cap of 250 people. Outdoor events may operate at 50 percent of their capacity, with no cap on attendance, but six feet of social distancing must be practiced. Conventions, conferences, indoor sporting events and fairs and festivals may operate at up to 50 percent capacity with six feet of social distancing required, if they receive approval from the State Fire Marshal and the Louisiana Department of Health. Strict masking continues to be required for all gatherings and events. A FREEZE WARNING is in effect for Southeast Louisiana — including the Choctaw, Chackbay, and Bayou Boeuf communities — until 8:00 AM Wednesday morning.
Frost and freeze conditions will kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing. Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly.Those that have in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above- ground pipes to protect them from freezing. Click HERE to view the official alert. Click HERE to view our winter weather preparedness page. Icy road conditions are possible tonight and on Tuesday. Lafourche Parish is also under a MANDATORY CURFEW from 8:00 PM tonight through 8:00 AM tomorrow.
With that said, we strongly urge everyone to stay home and off the roads if at all possible today and tomorrow, especially during the hard freeze period which is projected for 6:00 PM tonight through noon on Tuesday. For those who MUST drive due to work or otherwise, allow yourself an extra 30 minutes or more to arrive at your destination. If roads are icy, SLOW DOWN and follow these safety tips. Bridges tend to be affected by icy conditions more quickly than roads. We know this could be impossible for some, but try to avoid bridges when driving or limit your route to crossing as few as possible. Check for road closures around the state at 511LA. If there are any major road closures in our area, we'll relay them to you on through text message alerts and on our CURRENT ALERTS page.. We're still here and we'll be working to keep everyone safe. For you. For us. Better. Together. Per Lafourche Parish Government, a mandatory CURFEW is in place for Lafourche Parish from 8:00 PM tonight until 8:00 AM Tuesday due to hazardous conditions expected.
A hard-freeze warning remains in effect from Monday evening through Tuesday morning.
Sub-freezing temperatures in the teens and lower 20’s should be expected. Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing. A shallow, very cold airmass is currently over much of south Mississippi and southeast Louisiana. An upper level disturbance will bring abundant moisture into the area late tonight and Monday. Temperatures aloft are warm, and precipitation that develops tonight will be rain aloft, but as it reaches the cold air near the surface, it will transition to freezing rain or possibly sleet. Heavy freezing rain or sleet is expected across the warning area during the day Monday before ending from west to east toward sunset. The expected precipitation amounts, especially of ice, are likely to produce significant impacts. After the precipitation ends, even colder air will arrive Monday night, producing wind chill values in the single digits and teens overnight Monday night and Tuesday morning. Click HERE to view our post concerning the Governor’s declaration of a State of Emergency. Governor John Bel 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,” Governor 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. Remember to take 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 511LA 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. Visit our winter weather preparedness page by clicking HERE. Sharing for Saint James Parish Sheriff's Office via NIXLE UPDATE: Highway 3127 and Highway 20 have been reopened. Click HERE for the official NIXLE update. Sharing for Saint James Parish Sheriff's Office via NIXLE
Avoid Highway 3127 at Highway 3219 and Highway 20 to Highway 3213. The roadway is closed due to an accident. All further information regarding this road closure will come from the Saint James Parish Sheriff's Office. Please contact the Saint James Parish Sheriff's Office non-emergency line at (225) 562-2200 if additional information is needed. Click HERE for the official NIXLE alert. The National Weather Service in New Orleans has issued a Flood Advisory for Northwestern Lafourche Parish in southeastern Louisiana -- including Thibodaux, Choctaw, Chackbay and Bayou Boeuf -- until 2:45 PM.
At 11:35 AM CST, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain due to thunderstorms. Minor flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly in the advisory area. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain have fallen Additional rainfall of 1 to 3 inches is expected over the area. This additional rain will result in minor flooding. |