Winter Weather Coordination Meeting Held with Parish, State, and Emergency Response Partners

The Bossier Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (BOHSEP) convened a winter weather warning coordination meeting at 2:00 p.m. today at the Bossier Parish Library Central location. Elected officials, first responders, parish public works, and representatives from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) joined the briefing to finalize operational plans ahead of expected severe winter weather.

The primary focus of the meeting was to determine where each agency would deploy crews to keep key roadways open in the event of significant ice accumulation. With the National Weather Service forecasting more than 0.25 inches of ice, an amount capable of causing widespread power outages and hazardous travel, agencies aligned resources to ensure critical routes remain passable.

The Bossier Parish Highway Department reported that it will apply salt and brine to parish roads and work jointly with DOTD to help keep I-220 open. DOTD crews assigned to I-20 will manage winter weather operations along that corridor.

“This level of coordination ensures that every partner knows their assignment and that our response will be unified and efficient,” said Dr. Ken Ward, Bossier Parish Administrator. “Ice accumulation of this magnitude can quickly disrupt normal operations, so preparation is essential.”

During the meeting, agencies discussed:

• Roadway treatment priorities for parish and state routes
• Crew staging and resource availability
• Communication plans for closures, hazards, and emergency updates
• First responder protocols for crashes, stranded motorists, and medical emergencies
• Expected impacts from potential widespread power outages

BOHSEP encourages residents to monitor official weather updates, limit travel during icy conditions, and take precautions to protect people, pets, pipes, and plants.

Additional updates will be provided as the weather system approaches.