City of New Orleans to Activate Citywide Freeze Plan from Jan. 19 to Jan. 22

The City of New Orleans announced today that they will activate a citywide freeze plan in anticipation of the extreme winter weather expected to bring dangerously low temperatures below freezing starting tonight. The National Weather Service (NWS) predicts that there will be 5 to 10 hours at or below freezing for areas along and south of I-10/I-12 on Saturday, Jan. 20 and 2 to 7 hours at or below freezing for the south shore on Sunday, Jan. 21. At the lowest, temperatures could drop into the high 20s and low 30s. 

Residents should be prepared to take action to protect the “Four P’s”: people, pets, pipes and plants. Check on elderly neighbors and family, bring pets inside, wrap exposed pipes and protect sensitive vegetation. Elderly residents and children are at an increased risk of hypothermia. If you are concerned for someone during this freeze period, call 3-1-1 to request a wellness check. Additionally, if residents see pets left outside unattended for an extended period of time, please call 9-1-1 to alert officers from the New Orleans Humane Law and Rescue team. 

For specific tips on how to protect people, pets, pipes and plants, visit https://ready.nola.gov.  

OVERNIGHT WARMING CENTER TO OPEN

The City of New Orleans Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (NOHSEP) is coordinating with New Orleans Recreation Development (NORD) to activate a warming center equipped with an emergency generator on Friday, Jan. 19 at 6 p.m. at the Rosenwald Recreation Center (1120 S. Broad Ave.). This warming center will remain open overnight for people and pets in need of a warm place during the cold until 9 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 22. Residents with pets are asked to bring a pet carrier.   

The Office of Homeless Services and Strategy (OHSS) will coordinate with the New Orleans Health Department (NOHD), Mobile Crisis Intervention Unit (MCIU), New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) Homeless Unit, UNITY of Greater New Orleans and Travelers Aid New Orleans outreach teams to encourage individuals living outdoors to utilize the overnight warming center. Individuals in need of transportation to the overnight warming center should call 3-1-1.  

For non-emergency law enforcement calls, residents should dial (504) 821-2222. 

UTILITY DISCONNECTIONS SUSPENDED 

Entergy New Orleans is prepared to respond as needed throughout the winter season and encourages customers to stay warm safely with these tips. Entergy New Orleans will continue to suspend service disconnections through the weekend. Disconnections will resume on Monday, Jan. 22. Residents should call 1-800-ENTERGY to report outages. 

The Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) will also continue to suspend shut offs until Monday, Jan. 22. The agency will monitor freezing conditions and continue to respond to emergencies during the impending winter weather event.  Customers can call 504-52-WATER to report water or sewer issues. 

PREPARING FOR EXTREME WINTER WEATHER 

SWBNO recommends customers do not run their faucets unless the residence is raised off the ground. Although this is a common practice to prevent pipes from freezing under the home, it places a strain on the entire system and increases the chance for a boil water advisory. Homes that sit on a concrete slab have added protection from the concrete and soil and do not require running taps for an extended period of time. Any exposed pipes should be wrapped with adequate insulating material.   

According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fire deaths. The New Orleans Fire Department (NOFD) reminds residents to practice fire safety with these tips:   

• Residents using portable space heaters should always place the unit on a hard, level nonflammable floor 
• Keep space heaters at least three feet away from anything that could burn and maintain clearance around the heater so that adults, children and pets won’t bump into it 
• Should freezing temperatures cause power outages, it is critical that residents use generators safely because carbon monoxide is deadly 
• Make sure to have a working carbon monoxide detector in your home 
• Residents should only use a generator in a well-ventilated area and place it away from structures, at least 20 feet away from a home, windows and doors 
• Turn off generators and let them cool down 15-20 minutes before refueling 
• Never refuel a generator while it is hot 

For more information and safety tips, visit nola.ready.gov. To receive up-to-date alerts, text “NOLAREADY” to 77295. 

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