01/24/2026
Brothers,
As you have no doubt seen, there are several reports of severe winter weather heading our way.
From the National Weather Service:
Significant icing expected. Ice accumulations of one half to three-quarters of an inch with isolated totals in excess of one inch. Some sleet and snow may mix in at times. Expect power outages and tree damage due to the ice. Travel could be impossible.
The Governor has issued a State of Emergency:
https://gohsep.la.gov/about/news/governor-landry-issues-state-of-emergency-in-preparation-for-winter-weather-2026/
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for much of the State, taking effect Friday, January 23. The winter weather has the potential to bring ice, creating hazardous travel conditions, extended power outages, and disruption to essential services. This State of Emergency activates the State’s emergency response and recovery program, allowing for direct state assistance to support operational measures at the parish level.
You can see hourly forecast temps here showing temps in the teens with a wind chill of -3° on Monday at 6am: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?map.x=169&map.y=146&marine=0&site=SHV&zmx=1&zmy=1&FcstType=graphical&lat=&lon=
Some Steps:
While it may sound redundant, here are a few things we can do to make sure we have the best odds when (not if) the infrastructure we rely on fails:
Charge cell phones, laptops, tablets now. Reminder, laptops can charge phones during power outages.
Cell phones have a battery saver mode. Turn this mode on during evenings/nights if possible to conserve “juice”.
Find your manual can opener, extra medicine, first aid supplies, emergency heat sources and a fire extinguisher.
Charge flash lights, get extra batteries on hand, candles, lamps and lanterns.
Phone calls don’t always immediately go through. Texts are the most efficient way to communicate.
Some of us have been able to use apps like "Signal" and "Discord" to communicate even when cell services are down.
Drip pipes or turn water off completely at the shut off valve. Don’t forget to leave faucets open even though the water is off to allow air into the pipes.
Check under exterior doors for drafts. Place towels or small blankets in front of thresholds to limit warm air escaping.
While it is recommended to crank your vehicles daily to make sure they are operable, don’t use your vehicle to stay warm. CO2 can build up inside garages and vehicle cabins.
Static builds up in colder weather. Make sure to discharge any static before operating or handling sensitive electronics.
Stay up to date from OFFICIAL sources. Social media isn’t often as reliable unless posted to an official account.
Here are some accounts:
https://twitter.com/NWSShreveport
http://www.facebook.com/NWSShreveport
http://www.twitter.com/NWSLakeCharles
http://www.facebook.com/NWSLakeCharles
https://twitter.com/NBC6News
https://twitter.com/KMSSTV
https://twitter.com/Arkansasgov
https://twitter.com/texasgov
https://twitter.com/kytxcbs19
https://twitter.com/SWEPCoNews
https://twitter.com/KALBtv5
https://twitter.com/Alexlaconnects
Also monitor TV and local radio stations.
Lastly, check on elderly or disabled friends, brothers, sisters, neighbors or employees.
Use a Ham Radio or tune to NOAA weather radio (162.400 MHz) for National Weather Service reports.
The American Red Cross has been mobilized across Louisiana:
Warming Centers & Shelter Locations The following locations are being established as warming centers or emergency shelters. Residents are encouraged to call 2-1-1 or check local parish social media pages for specific opening times:
Avoyelles Parish
Bunkie: Bunkie City Hall Annex – 107 West Oak St
Marksville: Marksville Fire Dept – 512 N. Main St
Caddo Parish
Shreveport: Southern University-Shreveport – 3050 Dr. MLK Dr
Shreveport: Highland Center – 520 Olive St
Shreveport: Morning Star Baptist Church – 5340 Jewella Ave
Blanchard: Blanchard Townhall – 110 N. Main St
Bossier Parish
Haughton: First Baptist of Haughton – 105 E. Washington Ave
Bossier City: Stonewall Baptist Church – 807 Eatman St
Ouachita Parish
Monroe: Liller Marbles Community Center – 2950 Renwick St
Monroe: Salvation Army – 105 Hart St
West Monroe: Recreation Center 7th Square – 1802 N. 7th St
West Monroe: Hope House (Homeless) – 407 Goodhope Rd
West Monroe: Hellfighters (Homeless) – 601 Smith St
Natchitoches Parish
Natchitoches: Trinity Episcopal Church – 533 Second St
Natchitoches: MLK Recreation Center – 660 MLK Dr
Campti: Kingdom Life Center – 3089 Hwy 71
Vernon Parish
Leesville: Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office – 1203 South 4th St
Rapides Parish
Alexandria: Rapides Parish 911/OEP Office – 4216 Ellis St
Winn Parish
Winnfield: Winnfield Rec Center – 800 N. Grove Street
Jackson Parish
Jonesboro: Jackson Parish Com Ctr – 160 Industrial Dr
Franklin Parish
Winnsboro: Jack Hammon Com Ctr – 801 Adams St
Morehouse
Bastrop: Dotson Park Rec Ctr – 201 Dotson St
Madison Parish
Tallulah: Tallulah Com Ctr – 800 N. Beech St
Catahoula Parish
Jonesville: National Guard Armory – 610 Dorothy Dr.
Preparation is Key: Download the free Emergency App "We encourage everyone to download the Red Cross Emergency app," added McCoy. The app provides weather and hazard alerts specific to our area and preparedness tips and safety information posted."
As extreme weather events increase, the Emergency app helps you and your loved ones before, during, and after a disaster. Users can access short preparation guides, receive National Weather Service alerts, view live weather maps, and find open Red Cross shelters and services nearby. The app is free, designed with accessibility in mind, and can be downloaded in app stores or by texting "GETEMERGENCY" to 90999.
Should I call SWEPCO to report my power outage?
From https://www.swepco.com/company/news/view?releaseID=10700
Immediately after a major storm, report only safety hazards such as downed power lines or equipment that is sparking. Often, we’re already aware of damage to our systems such as transmission lines and distribution circuits. Your calls help us focus resources on hazards that are not automatically picked up by our monitoring systems.
You can also report an outage using our online form.
Want to be the first to know about outages? Subscribe to alerts.
STAYING CONNECTED
To receive the latest alerts and information from SWEPCO, customers should:
Report outages: SWEPCO.com/outage
Download the SWEPCO mobile app: SWEPCO.com/app
Follow SWEPCO on Facebook and X (formerly known as Twitter), Instagram and YouTube
Make sure we have your most recent contact information at swepco.com/account/
USEFUL RESOURCES:
SWEPCO Outages
https://www.weather.gov/shv/
Caddo Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness
Louisiana DODT
City of Shreveport: Twitter
City of Shreveport: Facebook
https://www.shreveporttimes.com/live-story/news/2026/01/23/2026-winter-storm-updates-follow-along-for-live-updates-in-shreveport/88319290007/
What you will find here:
Real-time weather updates
Power outage and utility restoration information
School and government closure announcements
Road and travel conditions
Emergency and safety guidance
The link to the Shreveport Times Article has been made free to all users in the interest of public safety.
Regards,
Troy J. Jones
Secretary | First Masonic District
Proverbs 15:22
Follow along with our Shreveport, Bossier winter storm live blog.
