Evangeline schools closed for day

Evangeline Parish schools are closed Wednesday because of predicted wintry weather conditions. The closure is based on recommendations from parish emergency response officials and the National Weather Service.

Weather forecasts for the parish call for light freezing rain after midnight with about an inch of ice accumulation expected. The freezing rain is expected to continue through Wednesday morning.

As of mid-morning, the severe winter icing was passing to the north of Acadiana, coating Rapides, Avoylles and Grant Parishes with a layer of ice and leaving more than 27,000 Cleco customers without power.