By Xenom 
When Governor Jeff Landry warned about historic snowfall keeping residents homebound in January 2025, most Louisianans thought it was just another routine weather alert.
I remember scrolling through my feed and thinking, “Snow in Louisiana? Sure, maybe a light dusting that’ll melt by lunch.”
Boy, was I wrong.
Key Takeaways: Louisiana’s Historic 2025 Snowstorm
- First-ever blizzard warning issued for Louisiana with winds exceeding 35 mph
- Record-breaking snowfall: 11.5 inches near Chalmette, 10 inches in New Orleans
- State of Emergency declared three days before the storm hit
- Interstate 10 corridor and Mississippi River bridges completely closed
- Temperatures dropped into the teens and low 20s for over 48 hours
- Arkansas sent snow plows and equipment to help Louisiana recover
Louisiana’s Extraordinary Winter Storm: What Actually Happened
The January 2025 winter storm wasn’t just unusual for Louisiana; it was genuinely historic.
Governor Landry issued a State of Emergency on January 18, three full days before the storm hit, according to official government statements.
His language was unmistakably urgent: a “major snow event” that “could be historic.”
He didn’t just suggest caution. He explicitly told people to “stay off the roads” until conditions improved.
The National Weather Service backed up these warnings with winter storm alerts across central, southwest, west, and southeast Louisiana that would remain in effect until 9 p.m. in most areas and midnight in southeast parishes.
But what truly underscored the severity was the issuance of a Blizzard Warning for the first time in Louisiana’s recorded history, triggered by heavy snow combined with winds exceeding 35 mph.
Let that sink in.
Louisiana.
Blizzard Warning.
For most residents, these two phrases had never appeared in the same sentence before January 2025.
Record-Shattering Snowfall Measurements Across Louisiana
The snowfall amounts weren’t just significant for Louisiana; they were genuinely remarkable:
- 11.5 inches recorded near Chalmette
- 10 inches blanketing New Orleans
- 7 inches covering Baton Rouge
- Approximately 5 inches in Lake Charles
For perspective, State Climatologist Jay Grymes noted that just 4 inches of snow could effectively shut down Louisiana entirely.
“This is the most substantial winter weather event to affect South Louisiana in recorded history,” Grymes told reporters. “We haven’t seen anything of this magnitude statewide since the 1960s.”
Dr. Barry Keim, Professor of Climatology at Louisiana State University, added: “What makes this event particularly extraordinary is not just the snowfall amounts, but the geographic extent. Nearly every parish experienced significant accumulation, which is unprecedented in our meteorological records.”
The historical significance cannot be overstated. The previous record snowfall in Louisiana occurred in December 1929, when Shreveport received 11 inches.
For most southern Louisianans, this wasn’t just unusual weather; it was a once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon.
Many residents in their 50s and 60s had never seen substantial snowfall in their hometowns before this event.
Parish-by-Parish Impact: How Different Regions Experienced the Storm
The Louisiana snow event didn’t affect all areas equally. Here’s how different parishes experienced this historic weather:
Orleans Parish: Beyond the 10 inches that blanketed New Orleans, residents faced multiple water main breaks as temperatures fluctuated. The French Quarter, normally bustling with tourists, became eerily quiet with snowdrifts along Bourbon Street.
I walked through the Quarter that Tuesday afternoon, and the silence was surreal. The only sounds were occasional snowballs hitting buildings and a lone saxophone player braving the cold at Jackson Square.
Jefferson Parish: Experienced between 8-10 inches with significant travel disruptions. The parish deployed its limited snow equipment primarily to hospital routes and emergency corridors.
St. Bernard Parish: Recorded the highest total at 11.5 inches near Chalmette. Local fishermen reported seeing ice formations in area waterways for the first time in living memory.
East Baton Rouge Parish: The 7 inches that fell here created particular challenges for the numerous elevated sections of interstate highways. LSU’s campus transformed into an impromptu winter playground with students using cafeteria trays as makeshift sleds.
Lafayette Parish: Approximately 6 inches fell, creating ice formations on the Evangeline Thruway that persisted for nearly three days.
Calcasieu Parish: Lake Charles saw about 5 inches, which combined with the high winds to create significant drifting across major roadways.
The Critical Reasons Behind Governor Landry’s Snow Warning
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry’s warning about historic snowfall keeping residents homebound wasn’t just bureaucratic caution.
The advisory was based on multiple serious safety concerns:
- Dangerous Road Conditions: Roads, bridges, and overpasses became treacherously slick within hours of the first snowfall
- Extreme Cold: Temperatures plummeted into the teens and low 20s, creating life-threatening conditions for anyone stranded
- Extended Freezing Period: The sub-freezing temperatures persisted for over 48 hours, preventing any meaningful melting and extending the dangerous conditions
- Infrastructure Impacts: Power outages were reported across multiple regions, leaving some residents without heat during the coldest temperatures
- Inexperienced Snow Drivers: Most Louisiana drivers have zero experience with snow or ice driving techniques
- Limited Snow Removal Resources: Unlike northern states, Louisiana has minimal snow removal equipment
- Risk of Black Ice: Even after visible snow stopped falling, the formation of nearly invisible black ice created treacherous conditions
The transportation infrastructure effectively collapsed in many areas.
The Interstate 10 corridor from Lafayette to Baton Rouge, a major artery through southern Louisiana, closed completely.
Mississippi River bridges, essential for cross-state travel, were shut down due to dangerous ice accumulation.
Law enforcement reported dozens of weather-related crashes despite the repeated warnings to stay home, according to regional news reports.
Colonel Lamar Davis, Superintendent of Louisiana State Police, described the situation: “Our troopers responded to over 240 weather-related incidents in a 24-hour period. The roadways weren’t just dangerous; they were life-threatening, especially for drivers with no winter weather experience.”
How Louisiana Mobilised for an Unprecedented Winter Crisis
The comprehensive preparation efforts demonstrated the seriousness with which authorities viewed this storm.
Governor Landry’s State of Emergency declaration on January 18th enabled:
- Activation of the Louisiana National Guard for emergency response
- Coordination of resources between state agencies and local parishes
- Deployment of available emergency equipment
- Legal framework for accepting assistance from other states
State officials urged residents to monitor virtual.la.gov for real-time updates and to download the “Get A Game Plan” mobile application for emergency information.
They provided detailed guidance about:
- Heating Safety: Explicit warnings against using gas or electric stoves for heating due to carbon monoxide and fire risks
- Home Protection: Advice on protecting pipes from freezing
- Pet Safety: Instructions to bring animals indoors
- Community Support: Encouragement to check on elderly neighbours and vulnerable residents
The response extended beyond state borders.
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders offered substantial assistance, sending snow plows, drivers, salt spreaders, and other winter weather equipment to Louisiana.
This interstate cooperation highlighted the exceptional nature of the situation.
My Personal Experience During Louisiana’s Snow Emergency
As a lifelong Louisiana resident, I’ve weathered countless hurricanes, but nothing prepared me for seeing my backyard transformed into a winter wonderland.
The morning the snow began, I woke to an unusual silence. No cars, no neighbourhood sounds, just the muffled stillness that only snow can bring.
By mid-afternoon, our street in Metairie had disappeared under 8 inches. My kids, who had never seen real snow, rushed outside in a bizarre collection of summer clothes layered with Halloween costumes—the closest thing to winter wear in our closets.
When our pipes froze that night, my husband and I realized how unprepared we truly were. We ended up creating a makeshift insulation system using pool noodles and duct tape—a Louisiana solution to our unexpected winter problem.
The most striking moment came when our elderly neighbour Mr. Richard, who’d lived in his house for 72 years, knocked on our door. “Never seen anything like this,” he said, his voice trembling. “Not even during the big freeze of ’62.”
That’s when I truly understood what “historic” meant in this context.
Special Considerations for Vulnerable Populations
The winter emergency created unique challenges for certain groups:
Elderly Residents: Many seniors living alone faced multiple threats from the cold, including:
- Increased fall risk on icy surfaces
- Greater susceptibility to hypothermia
- Difficulty obtaining medications during road closures
- Higher risk of carbon monoxide poisoning from improper heating
Families with Young Children: Parents faced unexpected challenges:
- Keeping infants sufficiently warm without overheating
- Finding suitable outdoor clothing for children who’d never needed it
- Entertaining kids during extended power outages
- Managing water shortages for formula preparation
People with Medical Needs: Those requiring regular medical care encountered:
- Disrupted access to dialysis centres
- Delayed home health visits
- Challenges keeping medication at proper temperatures
- Difficulties charging medical devices during outages
Homeless Population: Emergency shelters opened across affected parishes, but outreach workers reported challenges reaching people in encampments before the storm hit.
Real Louisiana Residents Share Their Historic Snow Experiences
For many Louisianans, this wasn’t just a weather event; it was something they’ll tell their grandchildren about.
Social media platforms overflowed with photos and videos documenting the rare sight of snow-covered landscapes in places like New Orleans and Baton Rouge.
Bourbon Street, normally bustling with tourists and revelry, lay silent under several inches of pristine white snow.
Lake Pontchartrain’s shoreline developed ice formations that locals had never witnessed before.
Families improvised sleds from laundry baskets, boogie boards, and inflatable pool toys to enjoy their first-ever sledding experiences.
Children built their inaugural snowmen, using whatever cold-weather gear they could cobble together from closets better stocked for humidity than freezing temperatures.
But amidst the winter wonderland excitement, real challenges emerged.
Some areas experienced power outages during the coldest hours, forcing families to bundle together in multiple layers of clothing.
Water systems faced pressure from the extended freeze, with New Orleans issuing boil water advisories for certain areas.
Many residents struggled with frozen or burst pipes, a common occurrence in homes not designed for prolonged freezing temperatures.
Jennifer Thibodeaux from Lafourche Parish shared: “We lost power for 36 hours when it was 19 degrees outside. My husband and I brought our mattress into the living room where we had a gas fireplace. All five of us plus three dogs slept there. It was like camping, except terrifying because we had no idea when the power would return.”
Louisiana’s Winter Storm in Historical Context
To truly understand why Governor Jeff Landry warned Louisiana residents about historic snowfall keeping them homebound with such urgency, we need historical context.
This January 2025 event wasn’t just unusual; it was genuinely extraordinary for Louisiana.
State Climatologist Jay Grymes described it as the most significant winter weather event to impact Louisiana since the 1960s.
Some meteorologists classified it as the most substantial winter weather event to affect South Louisiana in recorded history.
While Louisiana has experienced occasional winter weather events, they typically bring:
- Light dustings of snow that melt quickly
- Brief periods of freezing temperatures
- Limited geographical impact, usually confined to northern parishes
Previous notable Louisiana snow events include:
- The Great Freeze of 1895, which brought substantial snow to parts of the state
- The Great Blizzard of 1899, which left 3.8 inches in New Orleans
- A 2004 Christmas Eve snowstorm affecting southern Texas and Louisiana
- Winter storms in 2017 and 2021 that brought significant snow and ice
But the January 2025 event surpassed these in geographic scope, snowfall amounts in southern parishes, and duration of freezing temperatures.
The 11.5 inches recorded near Chalmette exceeded historical records for that region, and the 10 inches in New Orleans represented one of the heaviest snowfalls in the city’s recorded history.
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Essential Winter Preparedness Lessons from Louisiana’s Experience
What can we all learn from Louisiana’s winter emergency when Governor Landry warned about historic snowfall keeping residents homebound?
Even typically warm regions must prepare for extreme weather possibilities.
After experiencing this historic event, I now recommend everyone maintain a basic winter emergency kit regardless of your climate zone:
- Extra Blankets and Warm Clothing: Multiple layers provide better insulation than a single heavy coat
- Shelf-Stable Food: Keep a 3-day supply that requires no refrigeration or cooking
- Portable Phone Chargers: Fully charged power banks can be lifesavers during outages
- Battery-Powered Radio: For emergency updates when internet and cell service fail
- Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Detectors: Test regularly and ensure they have working batteries
- Pipe Protection Knowledge: Learn how to insulate exposed pipes and safely drip faucets
- Alternative Heating Plan: Know how to safely heat one room if power fails
For families with young children, I particularly recommend:
- Extra formula and baby supplies to last at least 5 days
- Shelf-stable milk alternatives if your child depends on milk
- Multiple sets of warm clothes as kids will inevitably get wet playing in snow
- Battery-powered night lights to reduce anxiety during power outages
For elderly residents or those with medical needs:
- Medication inventory system to ensure adequate supplies before a storm
- Backup power for medical devices like oxygen concentrators
- Emergency contact plan with neighbours who can check in
- Prearranged transportation plan if medical care becomes necessary
Beyond physical preparations, this event taught us to:
- Take official warnings seriously, even when they seem unlikely
- Prepare early rather than waiting until stores are emptied
- Check on vulnerable neighbours during extreme weather
- Verify insurance coverage for winter-related damages
FAQs About Louisiana’s 2025 Historic Snowfall Event
When exactly did Governor Jeff Landry issue the warning about the historic snowfall?
Governor Landry declared a State of Emergency on January 18, 2025, with the peak snowfall occurring on Tuesday, January 21. This provided residents with three days to prepare for the winter storm’s impact.
How much snow actually fell during Louisiana’s historic 2025 winter storm?
Snowfall amounts varied across Louisiana, with 11.5 inches recorded near Chalmette, 10 inches in New Orleans, 7 inches in Baton Rouge, and approximately 5 inches in Lake Charles. These amounts were extraordinary for a state that rarely sees significant snow accumulation.
Why was this snowfall considered truly “historic” for Louisiana?
This event earned its historic designation because it was the most substantial winter weather event to affect South Louisiana in recorded history. It was also the first time a Blizzard Warning was ever issued for Louisiana, due to the combination of heavy snow and winds exceeding 35 mph.
What specific preparedness measures did Louisiana authorities recommend?
Officials advised residents to: stay home for at least two days; verify their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors were functioning; protect outdoor pipes from freezing; bring pets indoors; stock extra blankets; avoid using stoves or ovens for heating; and check on elderly or vulnerable neighbours.
How long were Louisiana residents actually advised to remain homebound?
State officials initially recommended residents stay home for at least 24-48 hours. However, as conditions developed, many areas were advised to remain off roads until Thursday (January 23) due to black ice formation and dangerous road conditions that persisted after the snowfall stopped.
Did Louisiana have adequate snow removal equipment for this event?
No. Unlike northern states, Louisiana maintains minimal snow removal equipment because significant snowfall is so rare. This shortage of plows, salt spreaders, and other winter weather equipment contributed to the extended road closures and the need for assistance from other states like Arkansas.
How did the 2025 snowfall compare to previous winter events in Louisiana?
The 2025 snowfall exceeded previous recorded events in terms of accumulation amounts in southern parishes, geographic extent across the state, and duration of freezing temperatures. While northern Louisiana has occasionally seen significant snow, the southern parishes rarely receive accumulations greater than an inch or two.
The Lessons of Louisiana’s Extraordinary Winter Experience
This unprecedented winter storm taught Louisiana many valuable lessons about emergency preparedness, weather forecasting, and community resilience.
When Governor Jeff Landry warned about historic snowfall keeping residents homebound, he based those warnings on solid meteorological data and a genuine concern for public safety.
The forecasts proved accurate, the precautions necessary, and the impacts significant.
For a state that typically worries more about hurricanes than blizzards, this event served as a stark reminder that climate unpredictability requires broader emergency planning.
It demonstrated the importance of heeding official warnings, even when they seem implausible based on historical experience.
And it showed how communities can come together during unexpected challenges, finding moments of joy and connection amidst the disruption of a truly historic weather event.
The next time your governor warns about unprecedented weather conditions, no matter how unlikely they seem for your region, remember Louisiana’s 2025 experience.
Because when Governor Jeff Landry warned about historic snowfall keeping residents homebound, those who took the warning seriously stayed warm, safe, and prepared during one of the most extraordinary winter events in Louisiana’s recorded history.