City of New Orleans Wraps Up Recovery Efforts, Announces Reopening of Interstate Highways  

NEW ORLEANS – The City of New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (NOHSEP) wraps up its recovery efforts following the recent winter weather event. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), temperatures in the New Orleans area rose above 50 degrees today, which assisted in melting most of the snow and ice that accumulated on roadways, bridges, and interstates. As a result, travel conditions are returning to normal across the city.  

 

The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) remains activated overnight tonight and tomorrow, and the City is preparing to close warming centers tomorrow, Saturday, Jan. 25 at 10 a.m. as temperatures rise above the activation threshold of below 35 degrees Fahrenheit (inclusive of windchill) for over four hours. 

 

All interstate highways in New Orleans have reopened. City officials urge residents to remain cautious on the roads and watch for any remaining snow and ice.  

 

CITYWIDE FREEZE ACTIVATION 

Temporary overnight shelters and warming centers continue to be provided for those in need overnight tonight until Saturday, Jan. 25, at 10 a.m. Those in need of shelter should call 3-1-1. 

 

Unhoused residents in need of shelter may visit the following: 

• Ozanam Inn, 2239 Poydras St. (six beds open for women) 

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

• Rosenwald Rec Center, 1120 S. Broad St. 

• Treme Rec Center, 900 N. Villere St.  

Additional updates: 

• St. Bernard Rec Center is closed, and residents have been transported to other warming centers.  

• All other shelters are at full capacity at this time. 

SEWERAGE AND WATER BOARD OF NEW ORLEANS (SWBNO) 

Water line breaks can occur when temperatures reach below freezing. In the event of freezing pipes or a water line break, call a licensed plumber. A licensed plumber will be able to repair your water line break, but here’s what you can do before the plumber arrives to help minimize damage: 

• Turn Off the Water: Locate the main water line from your water meter and shut it off. This valve is located where the water line enters your house. 

• Drain Your Pipes: Turn on all indoor faucets to drain remaining water in the pipes. 

• Disconnect Hoses: Remove garden hoses and washing machine hoses to prevent further damage. 

Elderly or disabled residents physically unable to shut off the valve should call 3-1-1 for assistance. 

 

Residents are urged to report sewer and water emergencies to 52-WATER. Crews are responding to sewer and water emergencies now that road conditions have improved. 

 

REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY (RTA) 

Bus Service: Limited bus service operated today, Friday, Jan. 24, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., with 63 buses running across key routes deemed safe and accessible. Full service on all fixed routes will resume normal schedules tomorrow, Saturday, Jan. 25. 

 

Streetcar Service: The Canal Cemetery (47) and Canal City Park (48) streetcar will return to service tomorrow. Crews will continue to work to address weather-related impacts on the remaining routes; however, adjustments may be necessary to ensure rider safety and system reliability. Full streetcar services, all routes, are expected to resume by Monday, Jan. 27. Temporary bus service will continue to operate along streetcar routes until streetcars can fully return to service safely. 

 

Ferry Service: Both the Canal Street-Algiers and Chalmette ferry services resumed operations this afternoon and are now back in full service. 

 

Paratransit Service: Today, paratransit service completed 47 dialysis-related trips. Same-day trip reservations are not available; however, riders can now schedule for Saturday, Jan. 25, and beyond by calling the Paratransit line at (504) 827-7433 (RIDE). Reservation agents will be available from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, and Sunday. All future trips must be booked at least one day in advance. For emergencies requiring immediate transport, call 911. 

 

SANITATION 

Due to the ongoing impacts of the severe winter weather, the City of New Orleans Department of Sanitation has suspended curbside recycling collection to allow all available resources to be dedicated to trash collections this week. 

  

Residents may hold their recycling materials for collection next week. Any recycling materials placed curbside this week will be collected and transported to the landfill. 

  

Severe Winter Weather Trash Collection Schedule: 

Trash collection will run three days behind schedule for the remainder of this week, completing on Monday, Jan. 27. Next week’s collections will run one day behind schedule, beginning on Tuesday, Jan. 28. Recycling collection has been suspended this week and will resume on Tuesday, Jan. 28. 

  

This Week’s Collection Schedule: 

• Trash collection for Wednesday locations will occur on Saturday, Jan. 25 

• Trash collection for Thursday locations will occur on Sunday, Jan. 26 

• Trash collection for Friday locations will occur on Monday, Jan. 27 

Next Week’s Collection Schedule: 

• Trash and recycling collection for Monday locations will occur on Tuesday, Jan. 28 

• Trash and recycling collection for Tuesday locations will occur on Wednesday, Jan. 29 

• Trash and recycling collection for Wednesday locations will occur on Thursday, Jan. 30 

• Trash and recycling collection for Thursday locations will occur on Friday, Jan. 31 

• Trash and recycling collection for Friday locations will occur on Saturday, Feb. 1 

For questions or additional information about sanitation services, contact the City’s Department of Sanitation at 3-1-1. 

 

NEW ORLEANS HEALTH DEPARTMENT 

Dialysis facilities have largely resumed their regular schedules. 

The Sobering Center has reopened and is now available. 

 

LOUIS ARMSTRONG NEW ORLEANS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (MSY)    

Airlines resumed service yesterday and are working to return to full flight schedules. Passengers are still encouraged to check flight times with individual airlines ahead of travel.  

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