Shreveport mayor issues response to storm damage

June 19, 2023

Early Friday morning, a storm hit Shreveport with winds whose aftermath resembled the worst of an ice storm (massive number of trees and power lines down), a hurricane (widespread damage throughout almost all of the city) and a Category 1 hurricane (extreme wind damage). We are extremely fortunate that no one died in the storm, and there were few reported injuries. However, recovering from this storm is going to take time and is going to challenge everyone’s patience.

Ever since the storm hit, there has been exceptional coordination among the City, Caddo Parish and the State. Employees from all our operational departments have stepped up and served our citizens well. SWEPCO worked with us to get power to key City facilities.

SWEPCO will restore power to everyone in the next few days, hopefully by next weekend. However, the City’s job of removing storm damage will just be beginning. Crews from Solid Waste, Streets and Drainage and Property Standards started work on Friday and Saturday, working to clear streets where it was safe to do so. They removed more than 200 trees in the right of way, at least enough to make traffic possible. They will resume this work today with employees who have volunteered to work on the Juneteenth holiday.

Starting on Tuesday, Solid Waste will return to their regular garbage collection schedule, but the bulk collection crews will be assigned to pick up storm debris. The next time we will have a large-scale bulk collection effort will be next Saturday. The next week, the garbage collection crews will be able to work storm debris on Wednesday and Saturday.

This level of effort is not likely going to be enough to get the debris off our streets in a time that most City residents will consider reasonable. Therefore, we are working with the State GOHSEP staff to see if we can bring in contracted debris removal companies to perform some of this work. We will also look for opportunities to use local contractors, to the extent that they are available and have the necessary equipment. Even if we get this supplementary help, the recovery process will take a while. That is where we ask for your patience.

In the meantime, here are some answers to question citizens may have:

  • The following cooling center locations are now open to assist citizens who mayneed a place to cool off:Morning Star Baptist Church Life Center, 5340 Jewella Ave, Shreveport, LAThis facility is now a 24 hr. overnight facility. Citizens can use this facilityto stay overnight, exchange low oxygen tanks and/or plug in oxygenconcentrators.Galilee Family Life Center, 1500 Pierre Avenue, Shreveport, LA (8am-8pm);A.B. Palmer Park Community Center, 547 E. 79th Street (8:00 am-6:30 pm);Valencia Park Community Center, 1800 Viking Drive (8:00 am-6:30 pm);Southern Hills Park Community Center, 1002 Bert Kouns Loop (8:00 am6:30pm);Bill Cockrell Park Community Center, 4109 Pines Road (8:00 am-6:30 pm)

  • SPAR camps for young people who have registered for the camps will continue ifthe center in question has power. Please check social media and news reportsfor more details.

  • Officials urge the public to stay safe after the storm by staying away from downedpower wires that may be on roadways and around fallen trees. Use generators inopen areas and not inside to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Be mindful ofall posted traffic barricades and keep off roadways unless necessary.

  • Observe generator safety. Do not operate generators in enclosed spaces(including carports), and only connect generators to electrical boxes through theuse of a licensed electrician to avoid carbon monoxide and fire dangers.

  • Remember that intersections where traffic lights do not function should beapproached like a four-way stop. The first vehicle to arrive should stop, and thenhas the right of way. If vehicles arrive at the same time, the vehicle to the righthas the right of way. Be especially courteous and cautious.

  • Community Development also has some programs that may be able to assistlow-income homeowners with roof repair and tree removal. We will work toidentify what we can offer and work to get that information out into thecommunity.

This press release was issued by the mayor’s office at 1:43PM on Monday, June 19, 2023.