NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

(Monroe, LA) – The Monroe area will soon experience extremely cold temperatures. Sustained cold temperatures and wind chill can cause exposed water pipes to freeze and burst. Sometimes, the extent of the damage won’t be obvious until the pipes thaw.

The City of Monroe Water System is encouraging a few simple practices to help with pipe protection on upcoming days with extended freezing temperatures.

Pipe areas to focus on are in attics, garages, and behind closed cabinet doors where pipes are vulnerable due to the unheated interior space.

Here are some prevention tips:

Outdoor Prevention:

• Disconnect drain and garden hoses from water faucets; this will help prevent the faucets from freezing

• Cover outside faucets with an insulating faucet cover

• If faucet covers cannot be found, wrap the faucet in T-shirts or rags, cover the fabric insulation with some plastic bags and duct tape it into place

• Insulate and/or heat tape any exposed water piping located outside

Indoor Prevention:

• Insulate any exposed piping under sinks and inside cabinets

• Seal or caulk cracks near piping that could allow cold air in from the outside, such as dryer vents or water pipes

• Keep garage doors closed completely; this will keep cold air from entering the house

• Open cabinet doors to allow heat from the house to circulate and keep the pipes warm

• As a last resort, let the faucets drip; as water conservation is important to the City of Monroe

What To Do If Your Pipes Freeze

One of the obvious signs that you have a frozen water pipe is when no water comes out of your faucet when you turn it on.

The best course of action is to contact a plumber so the pipe can be safely thawed and any ruptures repaired immediately.

If your water pipes rupture and water is entering the house, use your private shutoff valve to turn off the water. If you do not have a private shutoff valve, or if you cannot find it, call the City of Monroe Water Distribution Office for an emergency turn-off at the meter.

For after hours and weekends, call (318) 329-2385.

Sewer Stoppage Truck Operations:

The Sewer Department uses water-powered equipment that cannot operate in freezing temperatures. When temperatures fall below 32 degrees, sewer stoppage responses will be temporarily suspended. All calls will be logged and serviced in the order received once temperatures rise above freezing.

City Closures:

The Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo will close Saturday, January 24 and is expected to reopen Tuesday, January 27.

City Events:

The Financial Empowerment Summit featuring Tiffany “The Budgetnista” Aliche will proceed as scheduled on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at the Benoit Community Center, located at 1700 Oaklawn Drive, Monroe, LA 71202.

Additionally, this weekend’s Monroe Moccasins games are also expected to proceed as scheduled.

The City of Monroe encourages the public to monitor the Monroe City and Monroe Moccasins social media channels for any updates or changes regarding these events.