DOTD gives update on Southeast Louisiana roadways as snow, ice clears
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Temperatures are set to warm up going into the week, but icy conditions still remain on some roads and bridges days after a historic winter storm.
'We haven't seen this kind of snow since 1895 and it's not something that we practice for. We practice for ice events,' said DOTD Spokesperson Daniel Gitlin.
It's something Gitlin says is new to everyone.
Though he credits teamwork for getting the roads back open, saying that was a key factor.
Thawing out heading into February
'You can prepare, and then the unexpected may happen. But the bottom line is, if you work together as a team and everybody's on the same page, then everything is going to work out regardless of what's thrown at you,' said Gitlin.
With the icy roads in different locations since reopening the interstate, multiple crashes have caused bridges to go from open to closed again.
Gitlin says that with the help of state police, this is all the procedure to prevent another incident from happening.
'You're having things refreeze overnight. We had to close the West Bank Expressway because of that. We don't want accidents. We want people to be safe. If we have to, open a road or close a road, we're going to do it. It's inconvenient. Yes. But we're going to do it because it's about safety,' said Gitlin.
Boil water advisory issued for East Bank of New Orleans
With warmer days on the horizon, Gitlin feels they are out of the woods and now focused on fully restoring the infrastructure.
However, he warns drivers that melting ice could cause slicker roads.
'When you're getting off an exit, for example, slow it down a little bit. We're going to have a lot of traffic back on the road tomorrow, and we don't want to see accidents. We want to get the kids to school. We want to get everybody to work. We want to get this economy rolling,' said Gitlin.
RTA says ferries and busses are back in service. For the latest road conditions, visit the DOTD website.Arrest made in fatal Amite head-on crash
DOTD gives update on Southeast Louisiana roadways as snow, ice clears
Settlement reached in lawsuit involving HGTV stars' companies: court records
Harvey pedestrian killed in Plaquemines Parish crash
Perplexity AI bid for TikTok could give US government 50% stake
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
This Atlantic hurricane season is expected to be above average
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted an above-average Atlantic hurricane season this year, spanning from June 1 to Nov. 30. A variety of environmental conditions have increased the chances of strong storms, and damages are only expected to worsen as agencies like the Federal Emergency Management Agency and NOAA are defunded by the Trump administration. The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season is predicted to have between 13 and 19 named storms. Among these could be three to five major hurricanes that are Category 3 or higher. The season usually peaks in September. "Some experts are concerned that the current setup may resemble something closer to the 2017 season, the year of hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria," said The New York Times, when the storms reached the upper limit of their forecast. "This outlook is a call to action: be prepared," NOAA's National Weather Service Director Ken Graham said in a statement. "Take proactive steps now to make a plan and gather supplies to ensure you're ready before a storm threatens." The prediction is based on a "confluence of factors," the NOAA statement said, including neutral El Niño–Southern Oscillation conditions. When there are El Niño or La Niña conditions, they "change atmospheric circulation and push the jet streams around in specific ways," the NOAA said. In neutral conditions like now, "less predictable weather and climate patterns can be more important." Other predictive factors include "warmer than average ocean temperatures, forecasts for weak wind shear and the potential for higher activity from the West African Monsoon, a primary starting point for Atlantic hurricanes," said the statement. These elements together contribute to a higher likelihood of hurricanes and tropical storms forming. "I would not be surprised if we see early-season activity well ahead of the peak," Marshall Shepherd, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Georgia, said to Scientific American. While there is a 60% chance of an above-average season, there is also a 30% chance of a near-normal season and a 10% chance of a below-normal season, according to the NOAA. While "climate change is not expected to increase the number of these storms globally," warming temperatures are "thought to increase the chances of them reaching the highest wind speeds, bringing heavier rainfall and a higher likelihood of coastal flooding," said the BBC. Warm oceans are a particular threat. "Over 60% of the Gulf is at record or near-record warmth for the time of year, and waters east of Florida and around the Bahamas are as warm as we've seen them for the start of any hurricane season in the satellite era," Michael Lowry, a hurricane specialist at WPLG Local 10 News in Miami, said to Scientific American. Damages are also expected to be worse this season because both the NOAA and FEMA have faced budget cuts from the Trump administration. "Places in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas are still recovering from Helene, Milton and Debby," Shepherd said in reference to the worst storms of the 2024 season. And proper forecasting is necessary to allow areas to prepare for storms. "The impacts of hurricanes can reach far beyond coastal communities," acting NOAA Administrator Laura Grimm said. "NOAA is critical for the delivery of early and accurate forecasts and warnings and provides the scientific expertise needed to save lives and property."
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Construction underway at Memphis airport in $700M terminal plan
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Major construction is underway at the Memphis International Airport, which is part of a $700 million plan known as the Terminal and Seismic Program. The ongoing construction is said to make the departure area wheelchair accessible. 'We continue to push the message for passengers to arrive two hours early. These delays do not provide any additional delays when it comes to parking or dropping off, but if you feel more comfortable arriving 10 minutes before this, we recommend that too,' said Mia Harvey, Memphis Regional Airport Media Relations Manager. Harvey said to arrive early because of construction outside Terminal B is underway and should be finished by the end of June. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
National Weather Service hiring again following layoffs
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — The National Weather Service is offering some reassurance amid cuts from the federal government. The local office tells WGNO it shouldn't affect its operations this hurricane season. 'Even with their shortage of manpower, the Weather Service is doing everything they can to maintain the quality of their forecast,' said Louisiana State Climatologist Jay Grymes. Just months after nearly 600 people were laid off at the National Weather Service, it was announced that over 100 jobs would be returning. Coastal isolated showers, storms for Thursdays along with triple digit heat index Grymes says even though it could take weeks or even months to fill the roles, he is thankful that cuts in Louisiana were not drastic. 'I don't expect to see much of a change in terms of manpower. We did pretty well on the front end in terms of that big reduction in force. I don't think we'll see huge impacts in terms of National Weather Service services for Louisiana through the hurricane season,' said Grymes. Across the country, weather balloons are being released to gather information. 'The whole point of doing two a day was to get the best picture possible in an economic and efficient way,' said Grymes. Although two are launched per day in Louisiana, Grymes says much of our state's weather starts in the west and northwest. Warm and muggy conditions continue, PM showers These are places where cuts have caused offices to launch one balloon daily. Grymes explains only time will tell how this could affect forecasts. 'Reducing the number of observations in the mid-levels of the atmosphere, it's going to bring the skill, the accuracy of the forecast down. What we can't say right now is how much it's going to bring that down,' said Grymes. Previously, in Louisiana, radars have gone down, which is why Grymes says the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration checks them periodically, especially during hurricane season. 'They require, maintenance on a regular schedule, and then occasionally the radar will break down. Well, there is a unique group of electronic specialists in NOAA that handles that,' said Grymes. With an above-normal hurricane season ahead, Grymes and WGNO meteorologist Carrigan Chauvin say that even with the cuts, viewers can count on them. 'We have to be constantly communicating back and forth with each other to be able to provide the necessary key points to viewers, to residents, for what they need to know about storms on the way and, we have the manpower to forecast properly and to adapt properly to different circumstances and as a whole,' said Chauvin. Grymes says if you truly want to be prepared this hurricane season, make sure you have a plan for your family ahead of time.'Cheers' actor George Wendt's cause of death revealed: report Musk says Trump is named in Epstein files Aaron Rodgers plans to sign with Pittsburgh Steelers: reports Dr. Oz on Medicaid cuts: People should 'prove that you matter' National Weather Service hiring again following layoffs Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
