Mayor Landrieu, City Officials Provide Updates
on Tropical
Storm Nate
Mayor Led Morning Briefing with City Officials on Preparations
NEW
ORLEANS – Today, Mayor Mitch
Landrieu, along with City Officials, provided an update on Tropical Storm
Nate. Today, Nate was upgraded to a tropical storm and has taken a
significant westward shift, making probable landfall in Southeast Louisiana
over the weekend. The chance for tropical storm-force winds has increased.
Heavy wind is currently the primary concern for New Orleans through the
weekend.
At
this time, a Coastal Flood Advisory is in effect for New Orleans until noon on
Sunday, Oct. 8. Coastal flooding is expected as tides are up to two ft. above
normal tide levels. Potential storm surge flooding is probable through
Saturday and Sunday. There is also potential for minor flooding of low-lying
roadways outside of the flood protection system, near
the Lakefront and in the Venetian Isles area.
As
always during Hurricane Season, residents are reminded to make a plan and to
have at least three days’ worth of supplies, including water, food, and
medications on hand. To see tips on how to make a plan, visit https://ready.nola.gov/plan/hurricane/#prepare.
City Working with Local, State and Federal Partners on
Preparations
Throughout this event, the
City is working with local, federal and state partners such as Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency
Preparedness (GOHSEP), Louisiana National Guard and the Army Corps of
Engineers to understand the risks, vulnerabilities, and how the City can keep
residents safe, which is our top priority.
Additionally, Mayor Landrieu
led a tabletop briefing this morning with the National Weather Service and City
officials on Tropical Storm Nate.
City Assets
The City currently has nearly
40 boats and over 20 high-water vehicles along with other rescue supplies
staged at various fire and police stations, as well as four high-water vehicles
and two boats stationed at Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
headquarters.
Additionally, the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) pre-staged 146 brand new barricades in
flood-prone areas to prevent drivers from going into areas with high water.
These barricades are designed for high visibility and auto traffic.
Barricades and equipment are positioned and ready to be put in place at: Downman
Road & Haynes Blvd., Gentilly Blvd. & Peoples Ave., Franklin Ave. &
I-610 East and West, Gentilly Blvd. & Paris Ave. (Popeyes), Paris Ave.
& Gentilly Blvd. (Parisite Skate Park), St. Bernard Ave & I-610 Exit,
N. Broad St. & A.P. Turead Ave., Marconi Drive & Roosevelt Mall
St., Canal Blvd. & Navarre Ave., Tulane Ave. & S. Carrollton Ave.,
Metairie Road & Pontchartrain Blvd., Gen. De Gaulle Drive & Hwy. 90,
Gen. De Gaulle Drive & Woodland Drive, Press Drive & L. C. Simon Drive,
and the I-10 Carrollton Off-Ramp.
Get Prepared
The City urges all New Orleans residents and businesses to stay
prepared and informed as hurricane season continues. The City is committed to
ensuring the safety of all residents, and the public is encouraged to help
spread the word and make the entire community better prepared.
Develop a plan in advance to ensure that every family member knows
what to do, who to call and where to go during an emergency. For more
preparedness tips, visit https://ready.nola.gov/plan/hurricane/.
Out
of an abundance of caution, the City’s emergency and operational departments
are conducting preparation measures. Any changes in storm track and intensity
could change the impacts for our area, so residents are advised to stay tuned
to NOLA Ready and the National Weather Service for updates.
Sandbag Locations
Sandbags will be available
at the following New Orleans Fire Department stations from 7 24 hours a day, starting Friday, Oct. 6:
- 987 Robert
E. Lee Blvd.
- 2000 Martin
Luther King Blvd.
- 4115
Woodland Ave.
- 2118
Elysian Fields Ave.
- 5403 Read Road
Update on Drainage System
The Sewerage and Water Board (S&WB) is working closely with New
Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness and the Mayor's
office to monitor Tropical Storm Nate. S&WB
and its contractors continue to work around the clock to repair all power and
pumps to stabilize and strengthen the City's drainage system. Since August, S&WB has repaired six drainage pumps and
two turbines. Today, 108 of 120 drainage pumps are fully operational. Turbines
1, 3 and 6 are available for service with additional power being provided by 26
backup generators which were mobilized under emergency declaration.
Additionally, S&WB is in the process of installing five Electro-Motive
Diesel Generators at the Carrollton Water Plant and are scheduled to be available
for service in the coming weeks.
Updates on pump availability
can be found at www.swbno.org.
Extended Hours for Catch Basin
Cleanings
The Department of Public Works (DPW) increased its manpower to clean
and unclog catch basins and flush drain lines 7 a.m.-7
p.m., six days a week. Fourteen vacuum
trucks are in service currently, including DPW and its contractors. Since the
beginning of 2017, a total of 6,456 catch basins have been cleaned in New
Orleans, including 3,516 since August.
In advance of heavy rainfall,
remove leaves, grass and other visible debris in front of catch basin openings
and nearby, and place lawn clippings in garbage cans and never blow or sweep
them down a catch basin. To reduce risk of street flooding, do not park in
front of or on a catch basin and do not dispose of anything in a catch basin.
Call 311 to report catch basins that are not fully functioning. Avoid lifting a
catch basin lid or inserting anything into a catch basin.
Three simple steps to improve drainage:
1.
Remove leaves, grass and other visible debris in front of the catch basin
opening and nearby area, especially before a rain storm.
2.
Place lawn clippings in garbage cans, and never blow, or sweep them down the
catch basin.
3.
Encourage your neighbors to do the same.
Read the Just Rain Down the Drain guide.
Louis
Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International
Airport is monitoring Tropical Storm Nate. If you are traveling in the coming
days, please check your airline’s website for any possible delays or
cancellations prior to coming to the Airport.
NORD
Recreation Centers and Facilities
All New Orleans Recreation Development (NORD) Commission recreation centers and facilities will be closed starting Saturday, Oct. 7
until further notice.
Sanitation Collection
Regular garbage and recycling
service will continue as scheduled until further notice. Residents are reminded to secure
all garbage and recycling carts, on their property, after collections.
Normal Hours for 311
Residents are encouraged to
call 311 for general information and to report non-life threatening
emergencies. 311 will be open today until 5 p.m.,
tomorrow from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and 24 hours starting 7 a.m. Saturday.
Sign up for Special Needs
Registry
The City is also encouraging
individuals who require special assistance during emergencies to enroll in its
Special Needs Registry. The registry does not guarantee assistance, but allows
first responders to appropriately plan for, prepare for and respond to
community needs.
The Special Needs Registry
includes all individuals, regardless of age, with a chronic condition,
disability, special healthcare need, or who may require additional assistance
during an emergency. These include those who:
- Use life support systems such as oxygen,
respirator, ventilator, dialysis, pacemaker, or are insulin dependent;
- Have mobility disabilities and use a wheelchair,
scooter, walker, cane, or other mobility device;
- Are visually impaired, blind, hard of hearing,
or deaf;
- Have speech, cognitive, developmental or mental
health disabilities; and,
- Use assistive animals or a prosthesis.
A family member, caregiver, or
authorized representative can enroll an individual on their behalf. Residents
may enroll in the Special Needs Registry by calling 311.
Stay
Informed
Residents
are encouraged to text “NATE” to 888-777 to receive updates from the City of
New Orleans on Tropical Storm Nate.
Additionally,
residents are advised to look for updates regularly posted on ready.nola.gov, on
Twitter @NOLAReady, and on Facebook @NOLAReady. Sgin up for NOLA
Ready alerts, which will notify residents of emergency situations, at www.nola.gov/ready/alert/.
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