Amidst the winter storm, New Orleans is also enjoying some fun

The snow canceled classes and forced absences from work, disrupting routines and causing many problems in New Orleans, where most people have little or no experience with winter travel.

But amid Wednesday’s complications, a winter storm turned the world into something magical. Snowy roofs and parked cars; icicles hanging from the balcony. Some made sleds out of whatever they could find – trash can lids, baking trays, cardboard boxes. There was a snowball fight and a group of teenagers wielding snowballs like swords.

Christian Nelson and his girlfriend, Nikki Wise, built a snowman outside their house and they enjoyed an experience that they would not mind repeating.

“I wish we could get one a year,” Mr. Nelson said of the snowfall.

New Orleans isn’t an empty snow globe, though. Some residents said they stayed up all night, doing what they could, and always failing, to try to keep their pipes from freezing and bursting. Roads became impassable and factories closed, meaning workers lost wages. The NBA’s Pelicans also canceled a game scheduled for Wednesday night.

But the city seemed to slowly climb out of the snow during the day; Officials report that highways and bridges in the area have begun to reopen.

However, Interstate 10 remained closed in the city Wednesday evening. “It’s still covered in ice and snow,” Louisiana State Police spokesman Jacob Pucheu said. He also said that there are still a lot of stuck cars that have to be tested but there are fewer than on Tuesday.

Officials warned residents not to go out. “This thing is dangerous, even though it can be beautiful,” said Oliver Thomas, a city councilman. “Don’t drive, walk or ride a bike.” He compared it to a hurricane: “Shelter in place, everyone,” he said. “We know what to do when there’s a weather event — we’re used to it in New Orleans.

NOLA Prepared, a social media comedy platform that pokes fun at the city’s understanding of severe weather and disaster, offered a deep appreciation of the extraordinary situation.

“I have to think that we will be in for a difficult couple of days,” wrote the anonymous author in a post from the account, which has more than 20,000 followers.

Still, he added, “Seeing New Orleans covered in fresh snow is definitely one of the best things I’ve ever seen. Twenty years from now, you will remember today.

Alan Watson spent time on Wednesday clearing snow from his truck with a broom. He said it seems like it snows about once a year in New Orleans, “but nothing like this.” He, for example, will not remember the winter days very well.

“I don’t like it,” he said.