Up to 4 inches of snow falls across north Louisiana

Brian Davidson uses coal to create the mouth of the snowman that he and his sons, Payton and Parker built as snow fell across Minden Wednesday morning. Bruce Franklin/Press-Herald

A wintry blast dropped up to 4 inches of snow Wednesday across the northern portion of Louisiana along the Arkansas border, making for hazardous driving conditions that could remain a concern for the next day or so.

The storm system had moved out of the region by 6 p.m., but National Weather Service meteorologist Mario Valverde in Shreveport said residents should remain cautious as wet roads can turn icy.

“The temperatures are dropping so people should be cautious through the night and morning hours. It likely won’t get above freezing until after 9 a.m.,” Valverde said.

Ice was a problem on bridges and overpasses on Wednesday, and authorities warned that roads also could become icy. There have been reports of fender-benders throughout the area but no deaths, Valverde said.

The winter storm warning the area was under for most of the day had expired.

Meanwhile, Commissioner of Administration Kristy Nichols said state government offices will be closed Thursday in Bienville, Caldwell, East Carroll, Jackson, Lincoln, Madison, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, Union, West Carroll and Winn parishes.

Also closed Thursday are public schools in Lincoln, Ouachita, West Carroll, Union, Morehouse, Richland and Caldwell parishes as well as Monroe City Schools. The University of Louisiana at Monroe and Grambling State are closed, but classes will resume at 10 a.m. at Northwestern State University’s campuses in Natchitoches and Shreveport, at noon Thursday at Louisiana Tech University and at 12:30 p.m. at all Louisiana Delta Community College campuses.

Winter weather prompted some businesses to have food delivered to office workers.

Alli Walsh, manager of Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches in southeast Shreveport, said the restaurant has been delivering more food this week because of the weather.

Walsh said, “The first question asked when you answer the phone is, ‘Are you delivering?'”

Walsh said she had five to six delivery people working, handling multiple orders.

Business was booming for a northwest Louisiana wrecker service.

“Drivers in the South don’t know how to drive when the roads are icy,” said Candy Jett of Smith’s Wrecking Service in Bossier City. She said calls for service have doubled. One day this week, the business towed 50 cars that were either in a wreck or had to be pulled from a ditch.

“They don’t pay attention and drive too fast,” Jett said.