News Flash

Mayor's Press Releases

Posted on: February 14, 2021

Stay Calm and Stay Safe during the Freezing Weather

Baton Rouge, La. – February 14, 2021 — According to the National Weather Service (NWS) New Orleans, East Baton Rouge Parish is now under a Winter Storm Warning with a Hard Freeze Watch beginning Monday night. The latest forecast calls for 1/4” - 1/2” of ice accumulation tonight through Monday evening, which could make roadways hazardous. Our area could begin to see winter precipitation as early midnight tonight and continuing through the day tomorrow. A widespread hard freeze is expected Monday night through Tuesday morning with lows in the teens and a minimum wind chill of 10 degrees. The hard freeze could cause traffic to become even more hazardous as the precipitation on the ground is forecasted to freeze Tuesday morning.

Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome advises all residents to be prepared for these winter conditions. “Now is the time to stay calm, stay aware, and stay safe. Freezing precipitation and ice accumulation could very well make road conditions unsafe as soon as tonight. Please stay off the roads beginning tonight through Tuesday morning. I want everyone to prepare themselves today and be where they need to be by this evening.”

“Take this time to check your disaster supply kits, ensuring you include proper winter weather supplies. Make all necessary preparations for winter weather and remember to include your family, pets, pipes and plants in your plans. These colder temperatures will increase the use of gas appliances; if these appliances are not working properly it could lead to carbon monoxide production. Test your carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are in proper working condition.”

“I also want everyone to practice fire safety during any cold weather. Test your smoke detectors. Make sure space heaters are plugged directly into a wall outlet and positioned at least three feet away from anything flammable like bedding or walls. Before using a fire place, make sure it was inspected in the past year and has a metal or glass shield placed in front of it. If you need to use a generator, place it outdoors away from open window or doors. I encourage everyone to find a warm and safe place to stay. Cold weather shelters are available with the Salvation Army and St. Vincent de Paul. Remember to practice COVID-19 safety: wear a mask, social distance and wash your hands.”

“Winter weather storms are uncommon in East Baton Rouge Parish, but we have experienced them in our recent past and we know what to do. Three years ago during freeze events in December 2017 and January 2018, there were nearly 50 motor vehicle accidents and 22 fires with 9 deaths. It is very important to practice road & fire safety to avoid any tragedies. Together, let’s all make our personal preparations to help prevent emergencies and keep East Baton Rouge Parish Red Stick Ready.”

Road Preparations:

The East Baton Rouge Parish Public Works Department is working with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development to keep our primary roadways open for emergency and essential travel. A combination of salt & sand trucks have been deployed and barricades have been pre-positioned. However, the freezing precipitation and accumulation of ice could still cause the closure of bridges and elevated roadways. Downed power lines and power outages are also possible.

Garbage Service:

Republic Services has suspended garbage and recyclable collections for Monday February 15 in the City of Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge Parish, and the City of Central. Tuesday collections are still being determined. Services will resume on the next regularly scheduled day. 

City-Parish Buildings:

City-Parish buildings will be closed Monday. Buildings were already scheduled to be closed Tuesday for the Mardi Gras holiday.

Helpful Phone Numbers:

  • East Baton Rouge Parish Emergency: 911
  • Baton Rouge City Police: 225-389-3831
  • EBR Sheriff's Office: 225-389-5000
  • Baton Rouge Fire Department: 225-354-1400
  • Capital Area United Way: 211
  • DEMCO: 225-261-1160
  • Entergy: 800-9OUTAGE (968-8243)
  • LA Department of Transportation & Development: 511
  • Mayor's Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness: 225-389-2100
  • Public Works for downed trees in roadways: 311
  • Baker Fire Department: 225-775-3712
  • Central Fire Department: 225-261-2000
  • Chaneyville Fire Department: 225-654-9571
  • District 6 Fire Department: 225-355-3110
  • East Side Fire Department: 225-272-7779
  • St. George Fire Department: 225-454-6550
  • Zachary Fire Department: 225-654-0026

The East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (MOHSEP), in coordination with Mayor Broome’s Office, are continuously monitoring the latest forecast. First responders, public works crews and emergency stakeholders are all making winter weather preparations to protect the safety of East Baton Rouge Parish. Residents are urged to use the following Red Stick Ready winter weather tips when preparing their homes, family and pets for the upcoming cold temperatures:

Red Stick Ready Winter Weather Tips:

  • Check your family disaster supply kits to ensure it is prepared for the winter.
  • Use caution when operating heaters and fireplaces.
  • Communicate with your family and neighbors.
  • Dress in layers to keep yourself warm. 
  • Bring your pets inside when possible. 
  • Protect, cover or wrap your pipes.
  • Protect your plants as necessary. 
  • Ensure proper ventilation for fuel-burning equipment.
  • Refuel heating sources outside.
  • Use caution when traveling.
  • Test your smoke and CO detectors, replacing any that may be more than ten years old.

For more information please visit Redstickready.com, follow us on Twitter @redstickready, like our Red Stick Ready page on Facebook, download the RedStick app for smartphones or contact the Mayor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness at (225) 389-2100. 

Facebook Twitter Email

Other News in Mayor's Press Releases

Statement by Mayor Broome

Posted on: November 1, 2023

Comite River Cleaning Project Completed

Posted on: October 4, 2023

Community Connection

Posted on: September 22, 2023

Same Day Hiring Event!

Posted on: September 20, 2023

Statement by Mayor Broome

Posted on: August 29, 2023

Community Safety Planning Lab

Posted on: July 17, 2023

Upcoming Summer of Hope Events

Posted on: July 8, 2023

Statement by Mayor Broome

Posted on: June 29, 2023

Statement by Mayor Broome

Posted on: June 26, 2023

Baton Rouge Juneteenth Holiday

Posted on: June 16, 2023

Comite River Cleaning Underway

Posted on: April 11, 2023

Statement by Mayor Broome

Posted on: March 27, 2023

HOME ARP Draft Action Plan Forums

Posted on: March 16, 2023

Open Data Day 2023 Virtual Event

Posted on: February 28, 2023

Update on Today's Rain Event

Posted on: January 29, 2023

Redstick Rising

Posted on: January 10, 2023

Statement by Mayor Broome

Posted on: September 27, 2022

Statement by Mayor Broome

Posted on: September 16, 2022

Blight Month and Blight Bootcamp

Posted on: August 30, 2022

Amite and Comite Projects Announced

Posted on: August 18, 2022

Statement by Mayor Broome

Posted on: July 11, 2022

Baton Rouge Juneteenth Holiday

Posted on: June 13, 2022

Statement by Mayor Broome

Posted on: June 8, 2022

Statement by Mayor Broome

Posted on: May 23, 2022

Statement by Mayor Broome

Posted on: May 18, 2022

Statement by Mayor Broome

Posted on: May 5, 2022

Hurricane Preparedness Week

Posted on: May 2, 2022

Statement by Mayor Broome

Posted on: April 13, 2022

City-Parish Offices to Close at Noon

Posted on: March 22, 2022

Statement by Mayor Broome

Posted on: March 16, 2022

Statement by Mayor Broome

Posted on: March 15, 2022

Statement by Mayor Broome

Posted on: February 25, 2022

Wintry Mix Possible This Week

Posted on: January 19, 2022

Mayor Broome Appoints New Fire Chief

Posted on: December 23, 2021

Statement from Mayor Broome

Posted on: November 22, 2021

Statement from Mayor Broome

Posted on: November 15, 2021

Statement from Mayor Broome

Posted on: September 24, 2021

Mayor Broome Extends Curfew

Posted on: September 3, 2021

Mayor Extends Curfew

Posted on: September 3, 2021

Ice Distribution Site at Noon

Posted on: September 3, 2021

Mayor Broome Extends Curfew

Posted on: September 2, 2021

Mayor Broome Extends Curfew

Posted on: August 30, 2021

Mayor Broome Implements Curfew

Posted on: August 29, 2021

Pre-Landfall Shelter Opened

Posted on: August 29, 2021

Statement from Mayor Broome

Posted on: July 19, 2021

City-Parish Monitoring Invest 92L

Posted on: June 17, 2021

Statement from Mayor Broome

Posted on: June 11, 2021

Hurricane Season 2021 Begins

Posted on: June 1, 2021

Statement from Mayor Broome

Posted on: May 17, 2021

Statement from Mayor Broome

Posted on: April 26, 2021

Winter Storm Debris Removal Underway

Posted on: February 19, 2021

Emergency Shelters and City-Parish Offices

Posted on: February 16, 2021

Curfew Issued for East Baton Rouge Parish

Posted on: February 15, 2021

HURRICANE ZETA AND GARBAGE SERVICES

Posted on: October 27, 2020

Mayor Broome Announces Citizen Data Academy

Posted on: September 22, 2020

Geaux Get Healthy Launches Year Three

Posted on: September 21, 2020

Mayor Broome Declares Parish-Wide Emergency

Posted on: September 13, 2020

Stormwater Master Plan Virtual Open House

Posted on: September 2, 2020

City-Parish Buildings Remain Closed

Posted on: August 25, 2020

Mayor Broome to Extend Mask Order

Posted on: July 28, 2020

Tropical Weather Trending

Posted on: July 23, 2020

Real Time Crime Center Gets Major Donation

Posted on: December 11, 2019

Baton Rouge Healthy Food Retail Initiative

Posted on: November 20, 2019

2019 Capital Region Veterans Parade

Posted on: November 11, 2019

STATEMENT BY THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT

Posted on: October 22, 2019

Baton Rouge Veteran’s Parade 2019

Posted on: October 7, 2019

STATEMENT BY THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT

Posted on: October 7, 2019

Mayor Broome Kicks Off MOVEBR Program

Posted on: September 24, 2019

STATEMENT BY THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT

Posted on: August 19, 2019

Tropical Storm Barry Updates

Posted on: July 14, 2019

Invest 92L Preparations

Posted on: July 9, 2019

Gulf Tropical Disturbance Update

Posted on: July 8, 2019

STATEMENT BY THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT

Posted on: May 30, 2019

STATEMENT BY THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT

Posted on: April 24, 2019

STATEMENT BY THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT

Posted on: March 27, 2019

MOHSEP Monitoring Rising Mississippi River

Posted on: February 28, 2019

STATEMENT BY THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT

Posted on: February 4, 2019

Mayor Broome Announces SKYWARN Training

Posted on: December 4, 2018

Essay Contest for Local Middle Schoolers

Posted on: September 11, 2018

Mayor Broome Creates Blight Strike Team

Posted on: February 16, 2018

Metro Council Approves 2018 Budget

Posted on: December 12, 2017