Louisiana DOTD Preparing For Severe Weather Season

Local preparedness officials and National Weather Service offices and meteorologists aren't the only ones gearing up for severe weather season.  The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development is also getting ready to help motorists in the event of severe weather conditions.

LADOTD Spokeswoman Susan Stafford says the department tries to stay prepared by continually monitoring weather conditions, and through briefings with the National Weather Service.  "We do try to have our staff and support crews ready to go, in case there's any debris that we may need to pick up, just to make those roads safer for motorists," Stafford says.

And she says the department's 511 system has been a helpful tool in keeping drivers in the know.  "During Hurricane Isaac, it worked out really well, because we did have a lot of road closures in southwest Louisiana," Stafford says.  She also tells KEEL News it was valuable here in our area during the January ice storm.

Stafford urges you to get connected to the 511 system via your cell phone.