by Wesley Harris
The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed nine Louisianans died as the result of Ice Storm Fern last week.
According to LDH, the deaths included six for hypothermia, one for carbon monoxide poisoning, one for oxygen deprivation, and one due to a traffic crash. The deaths were confirmed by parish coroners as storm-related.
Locally, at least two serious injuries occurred due to the storm.
Hunter Alexander, a lineman with Entergy was electrocuted while working on a power outage, according to his family. He was in the bucket of his aerial lift truck when his crew found him with serious electrical burns to both arms.
Alexander was taken to the Northern Louisiana Medical Center (NLMC) in Ruston. When Alexander needed to be transferred to LSU Ochsner in Shreveport, Interstate 20 impassable. A safe landing zone was needed to land a medical helicopter at NLMC. Hospital employees, Ruston Police and Fire, and other city employees shoveled out the landing zone.
Alexander’s family indicate he is making a miraculous recovery from what could have been a fatal electrocution. Alexander has been up and walking and has undergone several medical procedures. While he needs more treatment, Alexander has amazed medical personnel with his recovery.
Dubach resident Jay Martin is recovering from surgery after a carport weighted by ice collapsed on him. Martin was cleaning articles out from under the carport laden with a thick sheet of ice when the structure collapsed on top of him Saturday.
According to the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office, an off-duty medic and a patrol deputy were first to the scene and were able to affect a rescue and apply a tourniquet to stop bleeding.
Mellie Martin, Jay’s wife, said he is recovering at LSU Ochsner after successful surgery to place pins in both sides of his pelvis.
LDH listed the nine Louisiana deaths as follows:
Two men died due to hypothermia in Caddo Parish after they were found separately behind Shreveport buildings.
An 86-year-old man in DeSoto Parish died due to carbon monoxide poisoning in her home.
LDH said a 65-year-old man in Jackson Parish died from hypothermia due to an extended power outage at his home.
The DeSoto Parish coroner confirmed the death of a 79-year-old female who died of hypoxia following the failure of an electrically-powered oxygen concentrator during a power outage.
Also, in DeSoto Parish, a 46-year-old man died in a motor vehicle crash while traveling on icy roads.
The Jackson Parish coroner reported the death of a 65-year-old man who died from hypothermia at his home following an extended power outage.
The Franklin Parish coroner confirmed the death of a 78-year-old female who died due to hypothermia.
A 74-year-old man died from hypothermia at his residence following an extended power outage, according to the DeSoto Parish coroner.
State officials repeatedly warned that prolonged power outages combined with multiple hard freezes create dangerous indoor conditions, especially for elderly residents, people with medical needs, and those without reliable heat.
LDH said warming centers open statewide but the icy roads and lack of transportation kept many home who could have benefited from them.
LDH has provided the following information on the dangers of cold weather. More information is available at getagameplan.org.
Signs of hypothermia include:
Shivering or fumbling hands
Exhaustion or drowsiness
Confusion or memory loss
Slurred speech
Bright red, cold skin or very low energy in infants
Officials also warn alcohol use increases the risk of hypothermia by impairing judgment and reducing the body’s ability to regulate heat.
During cold or icy weather, citizens are urged to check on neighbors, especially the elderly, wear warm clothing and limit time outdoors, avoid unnecessary travel on icy roads, use space heaters safely and never leave them unattended.
Signs of frostbite include:
Redness or pain in any skin area
White or grayish-yellow skin
Skin that feels firm or waxy
Numbness
Carbon monoxide danger:
LDH officials say carbon monoxide poisoning remains a major risk during extended outages. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas produced when fuels such as gasoline, wood, propane or natural gas are burned. Improper generator use and malfunctioning heating appliances can cause deadly levels to build up quickly.
Never use generators indoors or in garages but place them more than 20 feet from homes, doors and windows. Use carbon monoxide detectors.
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