First weather-related death confirmed for February winter storm

State authorities confirmed a weather-related death Monday after a 50-year-old Lafayette man died when he slipped on ice and struck his head on the ground.

The Lafayette Parish Coroner ruled the death as weather-related, marking the first such incident of the winter storm that swept across Louisiana and a large swath of the Deep South on Monday, according to a Louisiana Department of Health press release.

The storm brought snow, sleet and frozen rain to South Louisiana and below-freezing temperatures as far south as Buras for much of the day and temperatures into the teens for areas on the Northshore of Lake Pontchartrain.

Many areas are experiencing power outages due to ice accumulating on power lines and electrical equipment. Entergy of Louisiana reported an estimated 60,000 customers without electricity as of noon, with the Greater Baton Rouge and Tangipahoa Parish areas being hit the hardest. 

A storm team of 1,900 people, including utility line workers, tree trimmers and support personnel, are assessing the damage and restoring power where it is safe to do so. The company said in a news release: “Road closures due to icy conditions and other accessibility challenges will hamper our ability to reach some areas and slow restoration in those communities.” 

Even colder temperatures are expected to follow Monday’s storm throughout the week. Gov. John Bel Edwards said the “winter weather event” should end by Friday.