SHREVEPORT, La. — Northwest Louisiana continued its gradual recovery Wednesday from Winter Storm Fern, as lingering ice and hazardous road conditions prompted additional closures, delayed reopenings and cautious progress by utility and transit crews. While some government offices and services resumed limited operations, officials emphasized that safety concerns remain widespread, particularly in rural and hard-hit areas.
Power restoration remained the central focus, especially in Natchitoches Parish. Southwestern Electric Power Co. said crews continue working through icy roads and access issues, with the majority of remaining outages concentrated in the Natchitoches service territory. As of Wednesday, about 12,793 customers there remained without power, though roughly 3,000 were restored earlier in the day.
SWEPCO revised the estimated restoration time for Hornbeck to 10 p.m. Wednesday, citing significant ice damage and travel hazards. The utility said Arkansas customers are fully restored, most Texas customers are back online, and the Shreveport service territory is largely restored. Additional crews and equipment have been shifted into Natchitoches, where ice accumulation reached as much as 0.75 inches in some areas.
Utility officials again warned residents to treat all downed power lines as energized and urged customers awaiting restoration to check whether their homes can safely receive power. Warming stations remain listed on SWEPCO’s outage map.
Local government operations reflected a mix of reopenings and continued disruptions. The Bossier Parish Courthouse reopened Wednesday at 10 a.m., though the Bossier Parish Police Jury said some decisions on full operations remain weather-dependent. The Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office resumed normal operations Wednesday morning, reopening all substations and investigative offices.
In Bossier City, the Administrative Council meeting scheduled for Thursday was canceled because of potential hazardous road conditions. All cases from that meeting will be rescheduled for March 26.
Courts elsewhere remained affected. Shreveport City Court ordered a full closure Wednesday, though filings continue to be accepted electronically and by facsimile.
Schools and colleges across the region largely remained closed. Bossier Parish Schools announced all district operations would remain closed Wednesday due to icy roads, with a tentative plan to reopen Thursday pending a late-afternoon assessment. Bossier Parish Community College campuses in Bossier, Natchitoches and Many also remained closed Wednesday, with virtual classes continuing.
Louisiana State University Shreveport extended its closure through Wednesday, citing the slower-than-expected removal of ice from campus roads and walkways. The university expects to reopen Thursday, with all classes continuing online until then. Southern University Shreveport likewise kept campuses closed Wednesday, maintaining virtual instruction and remote work for most employees.
Health care access remained limited outside of emergency services. David Raines Community Health Centers announced clinics would remain closed Wednesday, postponing all appointments and directing patients with urgent needs to emergency rooms.
Transportation services began a cautious return. SporTran resumed limited operations Wednesday, with OnDemand service available for critical and emergent transportation, including dialysis trips. Fixed-route bus service began operating on a Sunday schedule, with routes activated incrementally based on real-time road assessments.
Air travel also resumed. Shreveport Regional Airport reported that flights are operating, though passengers were advised to check with airlines for updates and to use caution due to icy access roads and traffic loops.
Officials across northwest Louisiana urged residents to remain patient as recovery continues, stressing that while progress is evident, icy conditions and residual damage from Winter Storm Fern continue to slow a full return to normal operations.