BOBBY ARDOIN Editor/Consulting Writer
St. Landry Parish and Opelousas city government offices are expected to reopen on Wednesday, following one-day closures after local temperatures dipped into the mid-teens and residents continued bracing for wind chills.
However, public schools parishwide were scheduled to remain closed again on Wednesday due to potential cold weather and road icing conditions.
Parish president Jessie Bellard said that a St. Landry Parish government meeting scheduled for Wednesday night is also expected to convene.
Bellard added during an interview that 14 people remained sheltered inside the Yambilee building on U.S. 190 west of Opelousas on Tuesday afternoon.
With temperatures expected to drop back down this weekend the shelter will be open through Sunday, 1/21/24.
Bellard said that four of the residents who sought refuge from the frigid conditions were from the Opelousas area, while the remainder were individuals who either rode bicycles or walked into the shelter from other states or Louisiana cities.
“We have several people who are from out of state, while there were also people here from Morgan City and Baton Rouge. The out-of-state people who came here were from Arizona and Florida,” said Bellard.
Bellard said some of those remaining at the Yambilee building had been riding their bikes or walking through the parish when the cold weather and road icing conditions occurred.
“They really seemed to be thankful that they had a place to stay where it’s warm and where they can get a shower and food,” Bellard added.
Road conditions in St. Landry, Bellard said, became dangerous late Monday afternoon as light rain began freezing on the windshields of vehicles.
“I would say we had about 60 to 65 cases where vehicles ran off the road. The rain began to freeze at about 4 a.m. and there were were vehicles going off the (parish) roads and especially on I-49 after that,” Bellard said.
“The freezing that occurred on the roads were really our biggest problem. We have been spraying the surfaces around our bridges in order to make them safe, so we think there won’t be as many problems,” Bellard added.
Water In Opelousas
Mayor Julius Alsandor said he was unaware of any water leaks in Opelousas.
Alsandor added that at this point there does not seem to be any problem maintaining adequate water pressure in Opelousas.
“I think our water pressure will remain good as long as people are not dripping their pipes. We are asking that our citizens not drip their water because that always provides a chance for lowering water pressure,” Alsandor added.
Alsandor added that he considered the activity at the Opelousas water plant to be normal.
Volunteers and donations are welcome and will be accepted at the Yambilee Building to assist those seeking shelter. If you know of someone without electricity or sufficient heating, in need of shelter, please contact Parish President Jessie Bellard at 337-351-1482.
