City of New Orleans Responds to Possible Overnight Tornado

The City of New Orleans is responding to damage from what may have been a tornado overnight, with reports of downed trees, power lines, debris and some damage to homes primarily in Carrollton, Broadmoor, and Algiers Point. There have been no reports of injuries related to storm impacts. Commuters are advised to use caution on roadways and to treat intersections as four-way stops if traffic signals are not operating properly. 

The New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (NOHSEP) has activated the Emergency Operations Center to coordinate response efforts. Public safety agencies are assessing damages in neighborhoods across the city and directing traffic in impacted areas.

Approximately 4,000 power outages remain in Orleans Parish, down from over 10,000 immediately after the early morning storm. Entergy New Orleans is working to restore power as soon as possible. Residents are encouraged to call 1-800-ENTERGY to report outages or downed power lines or poles. Do NOT touch downed lines, as they may be energized.

The Departments of Parks and Parkways, Public Works, and Sanitation are working to clear roads and rights of way. Residents are asked to call 3-1-1 to report downed trees, limbs, or other debris that are blocking the road.

NOHSEP is working with the National Weather Service, who will survey damaged areas to determine whether the storm was in fact a tornado. Rain is forecast throughout the day, so residents are encouraged to remain weather aware. Neutral ground parking will be allowed until 6 p.m. Please do not block intersections, streetcar tracks, or sidewalks. 

Stay connected with NOLA Ready Emergency Alerts. Text NOLAREADY to 77295 or go to https://ready.nola.gov/alerts to sign up.