As the Winter Storm Fern passes, it leaves 9 deaths in its wake as of Thursday, January 9th 2025. Three of the deaths are believed to be hypothermia-related, the latest being a 72-year-old man who died of hypothermia after an extended power outage in his home in DeSoto Parish. The rest of the deaths are credited to accidents due to the dangerous driving conditions.

During the storm, almost 100,000 people were left without power. A majority of power has been restored to the residents of the Shreveport-Bossier area, but the total damage to infrastructure remains unknown, with numerous downed power lines and trees. Governor Jeff Landry personally visited Ouachita Parish to assess damage done in the northeastern region and even asked for a “federal disaster declaration”, which would officially get the disaster recognized by the president and help fund the recovery movement.

Though the ice is past, there is another cold front passing through, keeping things below freezing at night until Tuesday. With nearly 40,000 Louisiana households without power, it is important to reach out with any support you can give to your community. There are also over 60 warming centers [3] open across Louisiana to whoever may need it, and 6 open here in Shreveport.