City Prepares to Mitigate Impacts Near Collapse Site

In anticipation of any possible further collapse of the cranes and structure on the Hard Rock Hotel site, and out of an abundance of caution, the City of New Orleans and Entergy will be taking action to mitigate hazards in the area.

Vehicle Removal

The City will be removing vehicles parked in the immediately adjacent parking garage, the Premium Parking lot, located at 200 N. Rampart St. Vehicles in the garage present multiple hazards in the event of a further collapse, including loading risks from increased vibration in the area and hazardous materials such as fuel and other chemicals.

Anyone with a vehicle in the parking garage is asked to call 3-1-1 or 504-658-2299 to be connected to the New Orleans Fire Department (NOFD), who will arrange vehicle pickup. Similar to a valet service, members of the NOFD will gather keys from vehicle owners, remove vehicles from the parking garage, and bring them to their owners at a pre-identified location. Vehicle owners will not be allowed into the evacuation area, as it remains a hazardous site.

This is a public safety precaution due to the threats the vehicles present. The City will not be coordinating any additional removal of private property in the evacuation area at this time.

Entergy Mitigation Efforts

In preparation for operations at the site of the Hard Rock Hotel collapse, the NOFD has directed Entergy Gas to temporarily disconnect gas services in the expanded evacuation area. Gas services will be disconnected to the buildings on the Uptown side of Canal Street from Elk to Burgundy Streets. Additional temporary shut offs to nearby buildings may be possible should the situation require. The duration of the interruption is unknown at this time.

Entergy crews are conducting preparatory work and will respond as directed by the NOFD, likely today. Gas was previously disconnected from the buildings in the initial evacuation zone. Electrical, water, and sewer services have been cut off to varying degrees in the evacuation area as well.