Freezing Temps Coming to La; Have You Prepared Your Livestock?

The National Weather Service in Shreveport can honestly say they told us this was coming, and if their predictions are correct, it's going to be extremely cold. We're talking Arctic-ish.

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They have forecasted lows the next three mornings in Northwest Louisiana to fall substantially under the freezing mark.

Friday's low is forecasted to be 24. And just because we'll have so much fun with that, Mother Nature is going to let us go in deeper Saturday morning with a forecasted low of 22, which will make Sunday morning's 27 feel like something of a heat wave.

Of course, with lows dipping this far, we need to spend some time preparing for the freeze.

Red Cross Louisiana Lists the Following Cold Weather Tricks For Prepping

Bring your pets inside. Make sure outdoor animals have shelter and nonfrozen water.
Never heat your home with an oven or stove.
Monitor local media for the latest news.
To protect your pipes: Open cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate and let cold water drip from the faucet at a trickle.
If using a space heater, keep it three feet from other objects, place it on a nonflammable surface and turn it off before going to bed.

If You Lose Power

Turn off and unplug everything to avoid power surges when power is restored.
Leave one light on so you know when power is restored.
Keep your fridge door closed as much as possible to preserve food.
If you use a generator, place it outdoors in dry conditions away from windows or doors to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Never use a generator inside.

Additionally, if you have livestock, pets or plants, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, says you have some other things to prep for.

Livestock Prep Work

Owners should check their livestock and look for signs of stress, illness, or injury.
Pay close attention to the young and older animals as they are more susceptible to problems during frigid conditions.
Provide plenty of hay, feed, energy supplements, and water.
Be sure to check water troughs as they can ice over.
If possible, make adequate shelter available. Even a wind-break will minimize exposure to cold winds.

Cold Weather Prep for Companion Animals

If possible, keep all companion animals indoors. If this is not an option, make sure there is a dry shelter available and have warm blankets for your pet.
Provide adequate food and water. Monitor water bowls as they can freeze during cold weather.
Consider a sweater for your short-haired dog.
Outdoor cats searching for warmth will sometimes crawl underneath the hood of a vehicle. Bang on or open the hood of your car so any animal in there trying to stay warm can get out before you crank up that engine. Cats can be injured or even killed when the car is started