Recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits may be eligible for replacement benefits for food purchased with SNAP benefits and lost due to Tropical Storm Olga, if they report their loss to the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) by Thursday, Nov. 7. Replacement benefits are not automatic. SNAP recipients must apply for them. Replacement benefits are not Disaster SNAP (D-SNAP) benefits. There is no D-SNAP for Olga.

The merging of Post-Tropical Storm Olga and a cold front brought high winds and some heavy rain to the New Orleans area overnight Friday through Saturday morning. Residents are asked to be patient and to report damage, as power outages, downed tree limbs, and other impacts have affected the city. A Coastal Flood Advisory remains in effect through noon today, however, all other watches and warnings have been cancelled for our area.

The City of New Orleans is monitoring a disturbed tropical system interacting with a cold front that is expected to bring heavy rain to the New Orleans area Friday and Saturday. The National Weather Service forecasts two to four inches of rain, with locally higher amounts possible. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect until Saturday afternoon.