Winter Storm School Closures

We're starting to hear from school systems and universities about closures because of the forecasted winter weather.

Here's what we have so far. If you don't see your institution below, but you'd like us to add, please send the information to news@katctv.com

ACADIA PARISH
After receiving guidance from the National Weather Service (NWS) and out of an abundance of caution, LSU Eunice’s campus will be closed on Monday, January 26 due to the threat of hazardous road conditions. All in-person and online classes will be canceled. Details about any other closures or cancellations will be announced at a later time. We are actively monitoring this evolving situation and remain in close coordination with the National Weather Service and local, state, and regional partners to ensure LSU Eunice is prepared and to keep our campus community safe from harm. Chartwell’s Food Services will have an abbreviated schedule on Monday to service Bengal Village residents from 10:00AM-6:00PM. All campus offices will be closed on Monday, but essential personnel may be required to report to work or be “on call” to report for work. Check with your supervisor to see if you have been deemed essential. All official alerts regarding the LSUE campus will be posted on www.lsue.edu [lsue.edu], all LSU Eunice social media channels, campus e-mail, and the LSUE emergency communications alert text system. Students, faculty, and staff may subscribe to the alert system by ensuring their mobile phone number is correctly entered in their Profile page within Workday as their Primary Home Phone Number value. All LSUE campus community members, faculty/staff/students, with a completed Workday profile in this manner will automatically be enrolled. Participation in the system is strongly encouraged. There is no fee to subscribe, but cellular rates for messages may apply. Once registered, you can opt out of SMS messages at any time by texting STOP to 67283 or 226787.
To ensure you are enrolled, or to update your information, please use the following steps:

1. Log in to Workday as you normally would
2. In the top right corner, click the person icon and select the button for “View Profile.”
3. On the purple left sidebar, select “Contact.”
4. Ensure your information under “Phones” contains the correct mobile number.
   
   • If your number is accurate, then you will receive notifications from RAVE (LSUE Emergency Communications Alert Text System) without issue.
   • If your number is incorrect, select the “Edit” button at the top.
     
     • Scroll to the “phone” section.
     • Select the pencil icon to the right to update your number.
     • Or select the “add” button to add a new number.

4. • Be sure to select the blue “Submit” button at the bottom of the page before exiting or your updates will NOT be saved. 

Safety Guidance for All Students, Faculty, and Staff

• Stay informed by monitoring official LSU Eunice communications and NWS updates.

• Limit unnecessary travel during periods of freezing temperatures or icy conditions.

• Use caution when walking or driving, especially during overnight and early morning hours.

• Dress in warm layers, including hats and gloves, and wear footwear with good traction.

• Be alert for slick sidewalks, stairs, parking lots, and building entrances.

Additional Guidance for Residential Students

• Remain indoors as much as possible during extreme cold and freezing conditions.

• Avoid using space heaters, grills, or open flames inside residence halls.

• Report maintenance issues (e.g., lack of heat, water leaks, or frozen pipes) promptly to Residential Life.

• On campus students, please follow guidance from Bengal Village staff regarding safety, sheltering, and campus updates.

• Check on fellow residents, especially those who may need additional assistance.

Guidance for Faculty and Staff

• Supervisors should maintain awareness of conditions affecting employees’ ability to safely travel.

• Secure personal vehicles and take precautions to protect exposed pipes at home.

• Monitor University communications for any updates regarding operations or continuity planning.

LSU Eunice will continue to closely monitor conditions and will provide timely updates should weather conditions warrant operational or safety-related changes. Thank you for your continued awareness and cooperation as we work together to keep the LSUE community safe.

CALCASIEU PARISH
Following this morning’s weather briefing with the National Weather Service, we are making the decision to close all Calcasieu Parish School Board schools and facilities on Monday, January 26. While we do not anticipate significant ice accumulation in our parish, we are concerned about the potential of black ice forming due to roadways already being wet. In addition, the current forecast shows wind chills in the single digits on Monday morning, making bus stop conditions incredibly cold for our students. We feel this decision is in the best interest of safety for all students, faculty, and staff. We are continuing to monitor the weather closely, and we will make an announcement regarding school on Tuesday, January 27, by Monday evening.

Due to inclement weather, all SOWELA Technical Community College locations will be closed on Monday, January 26. The Lamar Salter location will also be closed on Tuesday, January 27. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to monitor their SOWELA email and the College’s official social media channels for the latest updates.

IBERIA PARISH
Following this morning’s weather briefing with the National Weather Service, our area is predicted to experience a significant cold weather event beginning Sunday night and continuing through Monday. To keep our students and staff safe and to allow families time to prepare, all Iberia Parish schools and facilities will be closed on Monday, January 26, 2026. While we do not anticipate significant ice accumulation in the parish, roadways are expected to be wet into Sunday evening, and there is concern for the potential formation of ice during overnight and early morning hours. Additionally, current forecasts indicate wind chills as low as 8 degrees Monday morning, creating dangerously cold conditions for students waiting at bus stops. The forecast also shows 14 hours or more of subfreezing temperatures, which could result in plumbing and water pressure issues at our facilities. This closure will allow district and school staff time to assess campuses for any impacts from the extreme cold before students and staff return. We will continue to monitor weather conditions closely through Monday and will make an announcement by Monday afternoon regarding school operations for Tuesday, January 27. Updates will be shared through JCampus and the district’s Facebook page. The safety of our students, staff, and community remains our top priority. We encourage everyone to stay informed and take appropriate precautions during this weather event. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Acadiana Christian School (New Iberia) will be closed Monday.

Highland Baptist Christian School New Iberia, closed Monday.

JEFFERSON DAVIS PARISH

The Jeff Davis Parish School Board has been closely monitoring the winter weather expected to impact our area. Following a weather briefing this afternoon with the National Weather Service, they have made the decision to close all schools and district facilities on Monday, January 26, 2026.

LAFAYETTE PARISH

LPSS Schools to Close Monday, January 26, 2026
Meteorologists are forecasting record-breaking freezing temperatures in Lafayette Parish beginning Monday, with brisk winds driving wind chills into the single digits and remaining near 20 degrees throughout the day. Temperatures may stay below freezing until after 6:00 a.m. Tuesday. To ensure students remain warm and safe and to allow time for families to make arrangements, LPSS schools will be closed on Monday. The closure will also allow facilities teams to inspect campuses for any cold-weather impacts. LPSS will continue monitoring conditions and will make a decision about school on Tuesday no later than noon on Monday. Updates will be shared through the JCampus app, text message, email, and the LPSS Facebook page. Safety remains LPSS’s top priority, and we encourage everyone to stay warm and safe.

Acadiana Renaissance Charter Academy will be closed Monday, January 26, 2026. The National Weather Service is predicting unusually severe cold temperatures for Lafayette starting Monday. Conditions may remain below freezing until early Tuesday morning. For the safety and well-being of our students, families, and staff, LRCA will be closed on Monday, January 26th. This closure will also give our facilities team time to check all campus systems for any weather-related issues. To further ensure safety, all athletic events set for Sunday and Monday are cancelled. We will continue to track the weather closely and will announce our plans for Tuesday on Monday afternoon. Families will receive updates through text, email, and on the LRCA Facebook page.

For My Child Learning Center in Lafayette will be closed on Monday.

Sylvan Learning Centers of Lafayette, Broussard and New Iberia will be closed Monday, Jan. 26, 2026.

LRCA School Closure & Event Update. With freezing temperatures and dangerous wind chills expected Monday, LRCA will be closed Monday, January 26. All athletic events scheduled for Sunday and Monday are also canceled. Facilities staff will use the closure to check our campus for any cold-weather issues. They’ll share their decision about Tuesday’s schedule on Monday.

Lafayette, LA – Lafayette Consolidated Government’s Parks, Arts, Recreation, and Culture Department (PARC) has cancelled all scheduled programming at PARC recreation centers on Monday and Tuesday (before 1:00 p.m.) due to forecasted freezing temperatures. Regular recreation center programming will resume on Tuesday from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (pending weather conditions). The Dupuis Recreation Center will serve as a warming shelter [lafayettela.gov] in coordination with the Lafayette Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (OHSEP) beginning Saturday, January 24. As a result, all programming at the Dupuis Recreation Center this weekend has been moved. Basketball games previously scheduled on Saturday have been relocated to the Martin Luther King Recreation Center (309 Cora Street). PARC appreciates the community’s understanding as facilities are temporarily repurposed to support public safety during this cold weather event. For real-time alerts, including PARC updates, residents may subscribe to LafayetteNOW notifications at lafayettela.gov/alert [lafayettela.gov] or by texting “Join LFTalert” to 31002.

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette will transition to remote instruction and remote operations on Monday, Jan. 26, for weather. The drop and add period will be extended to Wednesday, Jan. 28. On-campus dining will maintain normal operations on Monday, Jan. 26. The University will continue to monitor weather and road conditions. A message regarding plans for Tuesday, Jan. 27, will be sent by 6 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 26. Students who are unable to participate in classes remotely should contact their professors. If a student needs further assistance, they can contact the Office of the Dean of Students at deanofstudents@louisiana.edu. Faculty and staff members who are unable to work remotely should contact their immediate supervisors.

From Sugar n Spice Preschools: After careful consideration, we have decided to delay our opening for tomorrow, January 26, 2025 until 8:00am. We are asking families to drop off between 8:00am and 10:00am to allow our directors time to adjust staffing. Due to limited staffing and food preparation, we will be very limited in our capability to accept school age children. If you are in absolute need (we realize that our first responders and essential workers need care), please contact your director tomorrow morning to make certain we have the staff necessary. Please stay safe throughout the rest of the afternoon and evening. Please stay safe on the roads if you need to travel.

SoLAcc will close all locations on Monday, January 26th. Due to impending weather conditions, SoLAcc will close all locations on Monday, January 26th. All events and college-related activities scheduled during closed hours will be canceled or postponed. Students, check the Canvas Announcement tab for each of your classes) for updates regarding Monday's coursework and assignments. All NEMSA campuses, except for New Orleans, are closed Monday, also. NEMSA students should monitor Canvas and emails for more information. Employees, you can direct any questions to your supervisor.
Please continue to tune into local broadcast stations for weather updates and the solacc.edu website and official social media accounts for periodic messaging. Text and email notifications will also be sent out to our students and employees by our emergency response team, as needed. The College will continue to monitor the weather to appropriately plan for Tuesday. Your safety and wellbeing are our priority, so please exercise caution.

ST. LANDRY PARISH
Please be advised that all St. Landry Parish School Board schools and offices will be closed on Monday, January 26th, and Tuesday, January 27th, due to forecasted winter weather conditions. This decision was reached after consulting with the National Weather Service and the Office of Emergency Preparedness. The safety of our students, staff, and families is our top priority. All after-school activities, practices, and school or district-related events scheduled for these days are also canceled. We encourage everyone to stay indoors, keep warm, and stay safe for the duration of this winter weather event. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates regarding Wednesday’s schedule through our standard communication channels.

Good Shepherd Montessori School is also closed Monday and Tuesday, according to a spokesperson.

ST MARTIN PARISH
Due to the potential for freezing conditions on roadways and extremely low temperatures, all St. Martin Parish schools will be closed on Monday, January 26, 2026. Our top priority is always the safety of our students, staff, and families. The expected weather conditions may make travel unsafe and could impact normal school operations, including bus transportation and campus safety. We know school closures can create challenges for families, and we truly appreciate your understanding as we make decisions with everyone’s well-being in mind. Please continue to monitor local weather updates and official St. Martin Parish School Board communications for any additional information. Thank you for your continued support, and please stay safe and warm.

ST. MARY PARISH
St. Mary Parish Public Schools will be closed on Monday, January 26, 2026. The district team will evaluate all facilities for any cold-weather impacts to determine the need for a Tuesday closure. SMPS will continue monitoring conditions and will make an informed decision about reopening school Tuesday no later than 12PM on Monday. Updates will be shared via JCAMPUS, SMPS Facebook Page, Remind, and email.

V. B. Glencoe Charter School will be closed on Monday, January 26, 2026, due to dangerously cold temperatures and the potential for inclement weather. With faculty and students traveling from multiple areas and parishes, the school is prioritizing the safety of its community. Updates regarding school operations on Tuesday will be provided as conditions are evaluated. In addition, the board meeting scheduled for Monday has been cancelled, with a new date to be announced at a later time. All after-school events, including practices and games, will also be cancelled for Monday, January 26.

St. Mary Community Action Agency Inc. Head Start Centers and Central Offices in St. Mary and Vermilion parishes will be closed on Monday.

VERMILION PARISH
Vermilion Parish schools will be closed on Monday after consultation with the National Weather Service and the Office of Emergency Preparedness. Concern for ice on the roads, a wind chill projected in the single digits and water being turned off played a role in the decision.
A call out will be going out around 1:00 pm with the official notice to all families. If an extension of this school closure becomes necessary, they will inform you at that time. NOTE: Wednesday, January 28th was originally scheduled to be a 1/2 day of school. IT IS NOW A FULL DAY.

Vermilion Charter Academy, both campuses, will be closed on Monday, January 26th.

St. Mary Community Action Agency Inc. Head Start Centers and Central Offices in St. Mary and Vermilion parishes will be closed on Monday.

STATEWIDE
Due to the forecast of inclement weather, Southern University campuses on the Baton Rouge landmass will shift to remote operations on Monday, January 26. This includes Southern University and A&M College, Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Southern University Law Center, and Southern University Laboratory School. Campus dining services will be available in Dunn Hall from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Normal operations are slated to resume on Tuesday, January 27. Updates will be sent via campus email and official Southern University social media accounts.