Mayor Cantrell Declares State of Emergency as City Hall Closes for Non-Essential Personnel

Mayor LaToya Cantrell today declared a state of emergency for the City of New Orleans in advance of Tropical Storm Gordon. The storm is expected to affect the Gulf Coast by Tuesday evening and may turn into a Category 1 hurricane depending on its path.

Mayor Cantrell ordered that City Hall and City government offices be closed Tuesday for non-essential personnel. Only emergency personnel will be on hand. The closure affects all NORDC employees as well.

"I am taking these steps to insure that the City of New Orleans is as safe and secure as possible," Mayor Cantrell said.