City Of New Orleans Provides Updates On Anticipated Winter Weather, Activates Freeze Plan

The City of New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (NOHSEP) is urging residents to prepare for extremely cold weather, expected to begin overnight Sunday, Jan. 19, and continue through Wednesday, Jan. 22. Hard freeze conditions are possible, along with Cold Weather Advisories or Extreme Cold Warnings. 

Residents are advised to stay weather-aware and take precautions to protect people, pets, pipes, and plants. Additionally, motorists should be on the lookout for hazardous road conditions from Monday through Wednesday.  

Out of an abundance of caution, City Hall will be closed to the public on Tuesday, Jan. 21. City services will remain available virtually, and emergency personnel will continue to operate as usual. City Hall will resume normal business hours on Wednesday, Jan. 22, at 8 a.m., weather permitting. 

The National Weather Service (NWS) is forecasting an arctic cold front to move through the area beginning Sunday, Jan. 19, bringing frigid temperatures by Monday morning and a significant chance of snow for later that evening into Tuesday.  

The City has begun its operational preparations by coordinating with public safety agencies and City departments in anticipation of an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activation on Monday, which will continue throughout this weather event. NOHSEP remains in close contact with state partners, including the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), which is coordinating the application of brine and salt on roadways, if needed.  

TAKE PRECAUTIONS 

All residents should take appropriate precautions to protect themselves from the potentially dangerous effects of this weather. Residents are urged to bring pets inside and check on neighbors, especially the elderly, during cold weather. 

Space heaters should never be left unattended, and stoves or ovens should not be used to heat homes. Residents are also encouraged to check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are working. 

Water pipes can be damaged from prolonged exposure to cold temperatures. Residents and property owners are encouraged to protect against damage by insulating exposed pipes, turning off water, or running a thin stream of water—about the width of a pencil lead (1/16 inch)—from the indoor faucet farthest away from the meter. More information is available in the Sewerage and Water Board’s Guide to Fighting the Freeze.  

In the event of wintry precipitation, residents are asked to take extra care while driving, especially on bridges and elevated roadways. The public is urged to report icy road conditions to 911.  

CITYWIDE FREEZE PLAN ACTIVATION 

The City is activating the Citywide Freeze Plan (CFP) beginning the evening of Sunday, Jan. 19, and continuing at least through Wednesday, Jan. 22, as the National Weather Service forecasts the temperature or wind chill to fall below the plan’s activation threshold of 35 degrees. The freeze plan will be in effect to provide temporary overnight shelter for homeless residents and a warming center for any residents in need. If you know someone who needs shelter during the cold weather, call 3-1-1.  

Individuals needing shelter will be accepted, free of charge, at the following locations: 

• The Salvation Army, 4526 S. Claiborne Ave. 
• Ozanam Inn, 2239 Poydras St. 
• New Orleans Mission, 1130 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. 
• Low Barrier Shelter, 1530 Gravier St. 

Individuals in need of a warming center may visit the following:

• Rosenwald Recreation Center, 1120 S. Broad Ave., starting at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 19 

ROADWAYS AND BRIDGES 

The City’s Department of Public Works (DPW) and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) are making necessary preparations to clear roadways and bridges, if necessary. Icy conditions can create dangerous driving conditions, particularly on elevated roadways and bridges. Motorists should use extra caution when traveling during this time and should stay off the roads whenever possible. In case of any emergencies, motorists are encouraged to call 911. 

Motorists can access the latest updates on real-time traffic and road conditions and closures using the 511 Traveler Information System by dialing 511 from their telephone and saying the route or region about which they are seeking information. Out-of-state travelers can call 1-888-ROAD-511 (1-888-762-3511). This information is also available online on the 511 Traveler Information Web site at www.511la.org. 

SCHOOLS

In response to the anticipated severe winter weather, NOLA Public Schools (NOLA-PS) and its Central Office (2401 Westbend Parkway, New Orleans, LA 70114) will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 21. NOLA-PS will continue to work in coordination with City officials and follow their recommendations and guidelines. 

REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY (RTA) 

RTA riders may experience delays due to poor road conditions. For the latest information call (504) 248-3900 or follow RTA on Twitter at @NewOrleansRTA. Riders are also encouraged to visit the RTA website at www.norta.com for service alerts. 

ENTERGY 

Entergy New Orleans is suspending disconnections and all planned outages through Sunday, Jan. 26 due to anticipated cold weather.  

SANITATION  

Regular garbage and recycling pickups are scheduled to take place as normal at this time. However, residents may experience delayed pickup times due to early morning freezes. Flushing and pressure washing activities will be suspended on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday in the downtown area and throughout the City. 

NEW ORLEANS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT 

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is monitoring weather conditions. Travelers are encouraged to check individual airline websites for the latest information on delays and cancellations.   

READY.NOLA.GOV 

Updates on winter weather and local impacts will be available at ready.nola.gov. Residents are encouraged to follow @NOLAReady on Twitter and sign up for email and text message alerts at http://ready.nola.gov/stay-connected/emergency-alerts/. For more information on winter weather preparedness, visit http://ready.nola.gov/plan/winter/.  

IMPORTANT NUMBERS TO KNOW 

• For life threatening emergencies and downed power lines, call 911 
• For real-time traffic and road condition, call 511 
• Report downed traffic signals, call 504-821-2222 
• To report power outages, call 1-800-968-8243 (1-800-9OUTAGE) 

To report water emergencies, call  504-529-2837 (504-52WATER)