January 22, 2026 – Acadiana
A significant winter storm is expected to impact much of Acadiana early next week. While extended cold weather isn’t common in South Louisiana, even a short freeze can cause damage to homes, irrigation systems, and landscapes if you’re not prepared.
The LSU AgCenter and LaHouse Research and Education Center are encouraging homeowners across Lafayette, Youngsville, Broussard, and surrounding areas to take simple steps now to protect their property and stay safe.
“These simple steps can help avoid costly repairs and dangerous situations,” said Carol Friedland, director of the LaHouse Research and Education Center.
Protecting Your Acadiana Home During a Freeze
Prevent Frozen Pipes
When temperatures drop below freezing, allow a small trickle of water to run from at least one faucet—especially faucets farthest from the main water source. Moving water is far less likely to freeze and burst pipes.
Protect Outdoor Faucets and Irrigation
Wrap outdoor faucets with foam or fiberglass insulation sleeves and secure them with tape or foil. If insulation covers aren’t available, towels, rags, or newspaper can work as a temporary solution.
If you have an irrigation system, shut it down and protect exposed backflow preventers. These are especially vulnerable during Acadiana freezes.
Heat Your Home Safely
Never use a gas stove or oven for heat. This creates serious fire and carbon monoxide risks. Space heaters can help, but keep them well away from curtains, furniture, and other flammable materials.
Prepare for Power Outages
If power is lost, stay in interior rooms to retain warmth. If using a generator, place it outdoors at least 20 feet away from doors, windows, and vents. Never operate a generator inside a home, garage, or carport.
Additional Cold-Weather Tips for Acadiana Homes
Seal Drafts
Check doors and windows for air leaks. Use weatherstripping, caulk, or even rolled-up towels to block drafts and keep warm air inside.
Emergency Supplies
Have blankets, flashlights, batteries, bottled water, and a portable phone charger ready in case of extended outages.
Safe Heating Practices
Always turn off portable heaters before leaving a room or going to bed.
Protecting Plants in Acadiana Landscapes
Acadiana typically falls within USDA Hardiness Zone 9a, meaning many plants can handle brief cold snaps—but sudden freezes can still cause damage, especially to tropical and tender plants.
Woody shrubs such as azaleas, camellias, gardenias, hollies, boxwoods, and native trees like live oaks, red maples, and dogwoods usually do well without protection.
Fruit trees generally tolerate cold weather and may even benefit from chill hours. Citrus trees are the exception and should always be protected in our area.
Cool-season annuals like pansies and violas typically hold up well. Tender perennials, tropical plants, and warm-season annuals will need protection.
How to Protect Plants Before a Freeze
Move Container Plants
Bring potted plants indoors if possible. If they must stay outside, group them tightly against a south-facing wall of your home. Water them before covering.
Refresh Mulch
Maintain a 2–4 inch layer of mulch to insulate plant roots and protect them from freezing temperatures.
Cover Sensitive Plants
Tender shrubs, bedding plants, and citrus trees should be covered using frost cloth or old sheets. Frost cloth is ideal because it allows light through and can raise temperatures around plants by 4–10 degrees.
Avoid plastic directly on plants, and remove coverings once temperatures rise above freezing.
Covering Tips for Best Results
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Use stakes to keep covers off plant foliage
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Extend covers all the way to the ground to trap warmth
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Secure edges with bricks, rocks, or firewood
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Remove coverings as soon as temperatures moderate