City Provides Updates on Hurricane Readiness, Encourages Residents to Finish Preparations
The City of New Orleans continues to prepare for impacts from Hurricane Marco and Tropical Storm Laura. Residents are encouraged to wrap up their preparations this evening.
A Tropical Storm Warning, Flash Flood Watch, and Storm Surge Warning (for areas outside of the levee system) are in effect in Orleans Parish. Residents in areas outside the levee protection system should evacuate by 6 p.m. tonight ahead of predicted 4 to 6 feet of coastal flooding.
Across the city, parking restrictions on neutral grounds and sidewalks will be suspended for residents to move vehicles to higher ground. The City asks that you not block intersections, streetcar lines, or bike paths.
Residents served under the City’s contracts by Richard’s Disposal and Metro Services should secure their trash and recycling carts on their properties tonight and tomorrow. Collections will not occur on Monday. Customers served by Empire Services in the French Quarter and Downtown Development District should place their carts curbside before 4 a.m. tomorrow as collections will occur on Monday. Carts should be removed from the curb and secured promptly after collections occur. River Birch Landfill will be closed tomorrow; Gentilly Landfill will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Due to anticipated weather impacts, City Hall, New Orleans Recreation Department programs, New Orleans Public Libraries, and Municipal, Traffic, and Criminal Courts will be closed tomorrow. NOLA Public Schools and other private and Catholic schools have announced closures as well.
Public Safety
The City of New Orleans Emergency Operations Center, which has been continuously activated in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, will now transition into a 24/7 hurricane response with liaisons from public safety, infrastructure, transportation, and human service agencies, as well as State and Federal partners.
The New Orleans Health Department (NOHD) is communicating with healthcare partners to ensure they are informed and prepared for tropical weather. NOHD remains on standby for sheltering operations should the need arise. Residents who might need extra help during a storm due to medical or mobility needs should sign up for the City’s Special Needs Registry. To register, call 3-1-1 or go to specialneeds.nola.gov.
The New Orleans Police Department, New Orleans Fire Department, and Emergency Medical Services have emergency personnel ready to respond as necessary. High-water vehicles, boats, and barricades are being strategically deployed in areas prone to flooding.
Orleans Parish Communication District (OPCD) will activate Level 2 staffing at 7 a.m. Monday, increasing staffing by 50 percent and ensuring OPCD meets and maintains staffing needs during this state of emergency. OPCD Executive Director and LA-TERT State Coordinator, Tyrell Morris, has placed the Telecommunicator Emergency Response Taskforce on Pre-Alert as Tropical Weather threatens the Gulf region. Emergency Telecommunicators who wish to join the LA-TERT in anticipation of this storm should review the requirements and submit their application as soon as possible at https://laapco.org/tert. 9-1-1 services and 3-1-1 services will continue to be available 24/7 both by phone and the web. Remember that 9-1-1 is for life-threatening emergencies only.
Infrastructure
The Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans has 99 drainage pumps that are now available for service. Pump E at DPS 4 was brought back into service this morning. Turbines 1, 3, 4 and 6 are available for service, as well as all 5 Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD) generators and all five frequency changers.
Department of Public Works crews continue to clean catch basins. Seven vacuum trucks are operational and ready to deploy. Asphalt crews are transitioning from asphalt-related work to clearing debris from in front of catch basins. Inspectors and Construction managers are out reviewing roadwork construction sites to ensure stockpiles are moved from next to catch basins and all loose materials tied down or removed from the job site.
The Department of Parks and Parkways is closely monitoring the potential for tropical weather and has crews are ready to respond to downed trees and branches if necessary. Residents are reminded to call 3-1-1 if you have a downed tree or large branches and to call Entergy for downed power lines involving trees.
The Department of Property Management has been working to remove debris around City properties and secure city buildings that flood during heavy rainstorms.
Entergy New Orleans continues to monitor and prepare for the potential impacts of Hurricane Marco and Tropical Storm Laura as they make their way through the Gulf of Mexico. Crews are ready to safely and quickly restore service to our customers whose power may be disrupted. While resource numbers could change based on shifts in the forecast tracks or intensity of the storms, Entergy anticipates engaging approximately 3,400 employees, contractors and support personnel to assist with restoration efforts in Louisiana. Customers can get up-to-date info via Facebook and Twitter @EntergyNOLA. They can also download the free Entergy app at entergyapp.com or sign up for text messages about storm and restoration efforts by texting REG to 36778. Customers are encouraged to stay away from downed lines and other hazards and to call 1-800-Entergy with any potential electric- or gas-related concerns.
Transportation
In preparation for impacts from Hurricane Marco and Tropical Storm Laura, the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority will suspend streetcar service at 4 p.m. on Sunday August 23, followed by a full transit system suspension that will go into effect at approximately 2 a.m. Monday, Aug. 24.
Streetcar service on all lines will be suspended effective Sunday, Aug. 23, at 4 p.m. in response to the City’s state of emergency declaration and the lifting of parking restrictions throughout the city. Bus service will replace the suspended lines until the system wide closure:
- Bus route #47 — Canal-Cemeteries-Loyola Streetcar Lines
- Bus route #48 — Canal-City Park Streetcar Line
- Bus route #12 — St. Charles Streetcar Line
- Bus routes #5 and #55 — Riverfront Streetcar Line
The ferry service will remain suspended until further notice. The Algiers Point-Canal St. bus shuttle will continue operating to provide terminal-to-terminal service.
For the latest information on service impacts due to Hurricane Marco, visit RTA’s website at www.RTAforward.org. Please follow @NewOrleansRTA on Twitter and Facebook or call the Rideline at 504-248-3900 for the latest information on storm impacts.