Today, Mayor Mitch Landrieu and officials provided an update on winter weather impacting New Orleans. Mayor Landrieu urges residents and visitors to stay warm and safe during winter weather moving into the New Orleans region. 

Today, Mayor Mitch Landrieu announced City Hall closed today at 3 p.m. and will be closed all day on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018 in anticipation of wintry weather impacting New Orleans. 

The National Weather Service forecasts cold temperatures in the New Orleans area beginning Friday, Jan. 12 through Thursday, Jan. 18. A mix of very light wintry precipitation is possible in the evening of Tuesday, Jan. 16, but no accumulation is anticipated. Residents and visitors are advised to take precautions during winter weather.

Due to impacts from freezing temperatures, the following closures have been reported:

CLOSED Friday, JAN. 5

• Bricolage Academy - CLOSED Fri., Jan. 5
• Renew Cultural Arts Academy -  CLOSED Fri., Jan. 5
• Kipp East Community Primary - CLOSED Fri., Jan. 5
• Foundation Preparatory Charter School - CLOSED Fri., Jan 5

With temperatures above freezing today, the Sewerage & Water Board is urging residents to immediately turn off their faucets to conserve water. Overuse across the east bank during this cold snap has forced the agency to reduce water pressure. 

While New Orleans continues to endure freezing conditions, the Sewerage & Water Board is cautioning the public to be careful about how much water they keep running to keep their pipes from freezing.

The City is activating its Citywide Freeze Plan (CFP) beginning the evening of Sunday, Dec.31, 2017 and ending the morning of Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018 as the National Weather Service forecasts the temperature or wind chill to fall below the plan’s activation threshold of 35 degrees. The City's freeze plan will be in effect to provide temporary overnight shelter for homeless residents. 

According to the National Weather Service, a very cold air mass will settle over the New Orleans area Sunday night and will remain in place through Thursday. The coldest temperatures will be Monday night into Tuesday morning and Tuesday night into Wednesday morning with many areas seeing lows below freezing. Residents and visitors are advised to take precautions during cold weather. 

After the National Weather Service cancelled the Hurricane Warning for New Orleans on the night of Saturday, October 7, Mayor Landrieu ordered that the curfew be lifted. The Storm Surge Warning for New Orleans has also been lifted. The mandatory evacuation for Venetian Isles, Lake Catherine, and Irish Bayou will be lifted once the nearby flood gates reopen today.