Rough weather knocks down dozen power poles along U.S. 51
Published 1:22 pm Sunday, October 22, 2017
- A downed electric pole hangs along U.S. 51 just after noon Sunday near the St. John Community Center.
LAPLACE — Hundreds of homes and businesses along U.S. 51 in LaPlace are without power as of 1 p.m. Sunday after severe weather knocked down a dozen electric polls between the LaPlace library and St. John Community Center.
St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies have blocked U.S. 51 for traffic near Airline Highway.
As of 1 p.m., authorities said reported damage was contained to energy polls, adding one motorist cited health concerns following downed power lines and a minor wreck without damage. That motorist was taken to the hospital for further medical attention.
Significant structural damage was not initially reported.
Emergency service personnel respond to a motorist seeking medical attention following rough weather and downed power lines on U.S. 51 in LaPlace.
Entergy is alerting customers along U.S. 51 it could be 10 p.m. or later Sunday before power is restored.
National Weather Service meteorologist Phil Grigsby said no tornadoes were reported in the region Sunday, attributing the violent weather to a squall line producing strong winds that passed through LaPlace just before noon.
“It’s basically a line of strong or severe thunderstorms that usually proceed a cold front,” Grigsby said. “It’s going to remain cool in the low 60s through the afternoon and fall into the 50s overnight with cloudy skies.”
Grigsby said there is a 20 to 30 percent chance of rain the rest of Sunday, adding the evening rain chance drops to less than 10 percent. By Monday, there is no chance of rain, which is expected to continue through Thursday.
