City Hall Closes At 1 PM Ahead of Severe Weather
The City of New Orleans announced that City Hall will be closed today at 1 p.m. in anticipation of inclement weather impacting New Orleans. Other than precautions taken for safety of personnel during the height of severe weather, essential City services, such as public safety and infrastructure, are not affected by this closure.
Scattered to numerous thunderstorms are expected to impact the area during the afternoon and into the early evening hours. The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch until 9 p.m. tonight. Neutral ground parking in Orleans Parish will be lifted from 3 p.m. today until 8 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 15.
Residents are encouraged to stay weather aware, as further watches and warnings may be issued, including for tornadoes through the afternoon. Residents are encouraged to sign up for emergency text alerts from the City by texting NOLAREADY to 77295.
The New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (NOHSEP) has activated the Emergency Operations Center and will monitor conditions throughout the weather event.
Ahead of the anticipated inclement weather, the Department of Public Works (DPW) has activated three vacuum trucks to clean flood prone areas beginning on St. Charles Ave., Carrollton Ave., and Canal St. DPW has also shifted asphalt crews from normal operations to clear catch basins. All roadwork contractors have been notified to secure sites in anticipation of wind and rain.
For more information and tips ahead of today’s inclement weather, visit https://ready.nola.gov/plan/
Take Precautions
All residents should take appropriate precautions to protect themselves from the potentially dangerous effects of this weather.
Residents are encouraged to secure trash and recycling carts after collection and secure any outdoor furniture.
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For life threatening emergencies, call 9-1-1.
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To report street flooding, call 9-1-1.
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To report downed traffic signals, call 3-1-1.
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Sewerage and Water Board Emergency Line open 24/7, call 504-529-2837 or 504-52-WATER
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To report downed power lines and/or power outages, call 1-800-9Entergy (1-800-968-8243).
Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans
To prepare for today’s predicted storms, the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) reports that all three turbines operable. Currently Turbine 6 and Turbine 5 are online. Turbine 4 is available for use. All 5 Electro-Motive Diesel back-up generators are available.
Please note that even with pumps down, there is redundancy built into the system. SWBNO estimates that the drainage systems can typically handle one inch of water per hour and a half of inch after that.
Below is a list of stations with pumps down and the number of other pumps at these stations that are available:
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Drainage Pump Station 6 at Metairie Road has 12 of 13 drainage pumps available
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Drainage Pump Station 10 located in New Orleans East has 3 of 4 drainage pumps available
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Drainage Pump Station 13 located on the Westbank in the Tall Timbers neighborhood has 5 of 6 pumps available
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Drainage Pump Station 16 located in New Orleans East on Danube Rd. has 3 of 4 pumps available
Click here to view the full pumping and power report: Pumping and Power Equipment Status - Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans (swbno.org)
Schools
NOLA Public Schools reports that over 37 schools have announced early dismissal for today. The Archdiocese of New Orleans is also advising early dismissal of schools today.
Families are encouraged to check with their respective schools for dismissal notifications.
Regional Transit Authority (RTA)
In preparation for severe weather, the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) will temporarily replace streetcar service with bus service beginning at 12 p.m. today, Wednesday, Dec. 14. Additionally, the RTA Customer Care ID Center will close today at 12 p.m.
RTA is taking steps to minimize delays and ensure reliability and safety during severe weather. Bus and ferry operations will maintain service as weather conditions allow them to do so safely. If winds are sustained at 35mph, RTA buses will not operate on bridges and overpasses.
Riders should expect service delays during severe weather. All riders are strongly advised to visit norta.com and the RTA Le Pass app for up-to-date service information. Should riders become stranded during severe weather, they are advised to call the Rideline at 504- 248-3900.
New Orleans International Airport
The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport remains operational. Travelers are encouraged to check individual airline websites for the latest information on delays and cancellations.