Shreveport’s water and fire leaders are urging residents to prepare now, not later, as a winter blast targets the area this weekend. The message is simple: protect pipes, plan for outages, and keep emergency calls down if roads turn slick.
Shreveport Water Department: “Drip, Don’t Flood”
Shreveport Water and Sewer Director Brandon Snead told KEEL News on Wednesday that frozen pipes can turn into a bigger mess after temperatures climb back above freezing. “A lot of the problem with a lot of water usage or pipe bursting that comes when it falls when the freeze falls,” Snead said, warning that many homeowners “really might not know that you have a pipe burst until a day or two later after the thaw.”
Snead stressed that a steady drip is the goal, not running faucets wide open. “You don’t want to flush. You want to drip,” he said. “You’re just running your bill up” if you open it more than needed.
He also recommended opening cabinets under sinks, especially on exterior walls, so warm air can reach plumbing. For homes with crawl spaces, Snead said now is the time to check insulation and wrap exposed pipes.
Shreveport Fire Chief: “Stock Water, Use Heaters Safely”
Shreveport Fire Chief Clarence Reese Jr. said his biggest concerns are “the road conditions and not having water. Those pipes (were) freezing. That was a nightmare for us of course in 2021.”
Reese encouraged residents to store water before temperatures drop. “Fill those gallon jugs up, fill those bathtubs up, unused sinks, use those,” he said…