City Updates Public on New Year’s Mass Casualty Incident Resources Available, Sugar Bowl Traffic Enforcement Information

Today, the U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), New Orleans Police Department (NOPD), City of New Orleans, and the Louisiana Governor’s Office provided updates on the New Year’s Day incident that resulted in 15 deaths including the perpetrator, and at least 35 injuries. The City continues to extend thoughts and prayers to the victims and their families and will provide updates on resources as they become available. 

For more information, visit fbi.gov. Additionally, a digital tip line has been set up to receive information or video of the incident. To submit information, visit www.fbi.gov/bourbonstreetattack or call 1-800-CALL-FBI.   

Mayor LaToya Cantrell signed an Emergency Declaration to activate the City’s emergency response. The declaration can be viewed here: Bourbon Street Emergency Declaration 

To view both press conferences, click here. 

 

NEW YEAR’S DAY TRAGEDY FUND 

The Greater New Orleans Foundation (GNOF) announced the launch of the New Year’s Day Tragedy Fund to support the families of victims who lost their lives or were seriously injured in the attack. At the request of Mayor LaToya Cantrell and other community leaders, this fund aims to assist those affected by the devastating incident.  

Donations can be made online at gnof.org, through the New Orleans New Year’s Day Tragedy Fund - hosted by GiveGab, or by making a check payable to the Greater New Orleans Foundation with “New Orleans New Year’s Day Tragedy Fund” in the memo line. 

 

NEW ORLEANS HEALTH DEPARTMENT (NOHD)  

The New Orleans Health Department (NOHD) will continue providing support and information for families searching for missing loved ones at the UMC Family Reunification Center until end of day Jan. 2.  

Beginning Friday, Jan. 3, anyone still searching for a missing loved one is encouraged to contact the 311 Call Center for support and guidance.  

Residents in Orleans Parish: Call 311 for assistance (press option 3). 

Families outside of Orleans Parish 504-658-2299 (press option 3). 

Additional mental health resources for victims and survivors can be found here. People can also call 2-1-1 to be connected with appropriate mental health resources.  

 

NEW ORLEANS BLOOD CENTER 

The New Orleans Blood Center, located at 2609 Canal Street, will hold another blood drive on Friday, Jan. 3, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to support blood replacement and medical care for victims suffering incident related injuries. Uber has donated 1000 rides to make it easier for donors to give blood. The parking and entrance areas on Iberville Street for the Canal Street donation site is being monitored by security. For more information on donating blood, visit www.thebloodcenter.org or NOLA Ready for other sites throughout the area.  

 

SUGAR BOWL TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT UPDATE 

Bourbon Street has been re-opened to pedestrian traffic. A large section of the French Quarter currently has restricted access, with vehicular traffic restricted to French Quarter residents, merchants, and visitors with valid credentials/proof of occupancy. To view map of French Quarter access information, click here.  

 

Rideshare 

Uber has set up designated pickup zones for rideshares at Duncan Plaza located across from City Hall. All drop-offs and pick-ups will take place on Gravier Street between LaSalle Street and Loyola Avenue and on Loyola Avenue between Gravier and Perdido Streets. A ride share drop off and pick up map can be found here. 

 

Road Closures 

Most roads surrounding Caesars Superdome are closed to vehicular traffic. Poydras Street has been turned into a pedestrian mall. To view map of Caesars Superdome area, click here.  

 

New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) 

The RTA is actively monitoring affected areas and road closures and will make adjustments to service routes as needed and communicate these changes to the public through our digital- and social-media channels. The City’s traffic plan is being instituted to ensure safe pedestrian traffic for crowds attending the game, which includes restricting vehicular traffic around the Caesars Superdome and Poydras Street.  

Some updates include:  

• Due to gridlocked traffic and road closures, bus service for the 12-St. Charles and 49-UPT-Riverfront streetcar lines downtown has been suspended until further notice.  

• The 47 Canal-Cemeteries and 48 Canal-City Park/Muse lines are back in service. 

• Service on the Canal Street-Algiers Point Ferry will end this evening at its normally scheduled time of 8:45 p.m. Enhanced security measures, including additional armed personnel, are now in place on the ferry. 

RTA remains prepared to assist first responders and other emergency response agencies as needed in response to this incident. For updates, visit norta.com/servicealerts, check the Le Pass app, or call the Rideline at (504) 248-3900. Follow RTA on X (@neworleansrta) for real-time alerts, while additional updates may be available on the Instagram and Facebook accounts (also @neworleansrta).