Secretary's Emergency Order - Winter Storm January 2026
Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 6:31:54 AM
SECRETARY'S EMERGENCY ORDER
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STATE OF EMERGENCY WINTER STORM - JANUARY 2026 _____________________________________
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Louisiana Homeland Security and Emergency Assistance and Disaster Act, La. R.S. 29:721, et seq., the Governor declared a State of Emergency in Executive Order Number JML 26-006, whereby said provision of law confers upon the Governor of the State of Louisiana emergency powers to deal with emergencies and disasters, including those caused by fire, flood, earthquake, or other natural or manmade causes, in order to ensure that preparations of this State will be adequate to deal with such emergencies or disasters and to preserve the lives and property of the people of the State of Louisiana;
WHEREAS, the National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for much of the State effective Friday, January 23, 2026;
WHEREAS, the storm will bring a mix of snow, sleet, and ice impacting northern and central Louisiana;
WHEREAS, icy precipitation and accumulations are forecast to create hazardous conditions that will severely impact roadways, cause tree damage, and lead to power and other infrastructure outages;
WHEREAS, extreme cold temperatures are expected to cause additional impacts, including prolonged hard freezes into next week in the southern parishes and up to 90 consecutive hours of subfreezing temperatures in the northern parishes;
WHEREAS, this is anticipated to be a prolonged winter weather event lasting through Monday, January 26, 2026;
WHEREAS, the State anticipates that many parishes will declare states of emergency, and assistance may be needed to support parishes in their response to this developing threat; and,
WHEREAS, the safety and welfare of the inhabitants of the State of Louisiana and surrounding states requires the movement of motorists traveling on Louisiana's public highways;
WHEREAS, Louisiana Revised Statute 29:724 confers upon the Governor the authority to suspend the provisions of any regulatory statute prescribing the procedures for the conduct of state business, or the orders, rules, or regulations of any state agency, if strict compliance with the provisions of any statute, order, rule, or regulation would in any way prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with the emergency; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana Revised Statute 32:387 authorizes the Governor to delegate to the Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Development the authority to waive the requirements imposed by the department's rules and regulations relative to the issuance of special permits for purposes of disaster, emergency, or emergency preparedness.
NOW THEREFORE, I, GLENN P. LEDET, JR., Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, by virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution and the laws of the State of Louisiana, do hereby order and direct as follows:
SECTION 1: With respect to commercial motor carriers traveling on public highways of the State of Louisiana for the purpose of emergency preparedness and disaster relief efforts, the provisions of Louisiana Revised Statute 32:386(A) are hereby suspended and the size and weight restrictions for such vehicles shall be as follows:
A. The total gross weight of any vehicle or combination of vehicles shall not exceed eighty-eight thousand pounds.
SECTION 2: Nothing in this Order shall be construed to allow any vehicle transporting commodities or fuel for disaster preparedness and relief to exceed weight limits posted for bridges and like structures, or relieve any vehicle or carrier, owner, or driver thereof from compliance with any restrictions other than those specified in this emergency order, or from any statute, rule, order, or other legal requirement not specifically waived herein.
SECTION 3: Nothing in this Order shall be construed or interpreted as being applicable to travel on interstate highways, non-state-maintained highways, or to the transport of commodities that are not in support of rescue, recovery, or repair effo11s associated with Winter Storm - January 2026 or any subsequent proclamations regarding the weather event.
SECTION 4: This Order is effective upon signature and shall continue in effect until amended, modified, or rescinded.
Glenn P. Ledet, Jr., Secretary
Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development
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