BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards has issued a state of emergency over the extreme heat that has enveloped the state for the past several weeks.
There have been dozens of high temperature records set and the state has been in an extended drought that recently resulted in a statewide burn ban. There were several recent fires including a major one last weekend in Washington Parish and one last week just over the state line in Mississippi that closed I-10 near the Louisiana-Mississippi border for about 15 hours.
“This summer, the National Weather Service has issued a record number of excessive heat warnings for Louisiana,” said Gov. Edwards. “The Louisiana Department of Health reports that the state has already exceeded the average number of annual heat-related emergency room visits. Additionally, drought conditions and a significant drop in the Mississippi River’s water level have added stress on water supplies and agriculture. This declaration will allow the state to mobilize resources and aid those most affected. Please continue to take precautions when you are outside and check on neighbors who might need assistance.”
The city of New Orleans had recently declared a state of emergency over the heat. Mayor LaToya Cantrell cited at least six heat-related deaths and heat indexes of 115 degrees and above.
From WWL-TV's Weather Team:
Monday could be the twelfth day in a row with temperatures that tie or exceed the daily records. We're talking about more upper 90s to around 100 through most of the week, except temperatures will go down a little and humidity will even drop Wednesday and Thursday. This will happen as the broiling high pressure center shifts west and allows a surface front to settle near us. We'll even have a chance for a few scattered showers and storms as the front approaches on Tuesday, but not everyone will get rain.