Last week’s winter weather event put our city to the test, and once again, our employees rose to the occasion.
I want to begin by thanking the incredible team at Public Works, led by Jarvis Morgan. His crews worked around the clock to keep our streets as clear and safe as possible, and once conditions improved, they worked tirelessly to catch up on garbage collection so our neighborhoods could return to normal.
I also want to recognize our Water and Sewerage Department, led by Interim Director Brandon Snead. Their preparation started even before the first freeze. Crews made sure generators were in place, pipes were wrapped, and water reserves were ready. When the storm hit, they worked in frigid temperatures to repair broken pipes and water mains as quickly as possible. And as many of us saw on social media, they didn’t just stop at their job—they even took time to help stranded motorists along the way.
I also want to thank our digital and communications teams across all departments, who worked tirelessly to keep our citizens informed. From sharing tips on protecting your pipes and what to look for as they began to thaw, to posting updates on SporTran schedules and airport delays, their work ensured our community had the information they needed, when they needed it most.
I also had the privilege of meeting daily at our Emergency Operations Center with utility companies, community leaders, partner agencies, and Madam Chair, who joined us and brought an important perspective to the work being done. Those meetings allowed us to stay connected, coordinate efforts, and find ways we could support one another during this event.
Across every department, our city employees worked seamlessly to make sure residents were impacted as little as possible. Our police and fire departments continued responding to calls and keeping emergency operations running.
On behalf of the City of Shreveport and our entire community, thank you. Job well done. I couldn’t be more proud of the work you did—not just during this storm, but every single day.