City Reminds Residents of Precautions During Potentially Severe Weather

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

October 31, 2018


Contact: LaTonya Norton

For Media Inquiries Only
communications@nola.gov
(504) 658-4962

City Reminds Residents of Precautions

During Potentially Severe Weather

NEW ORLEANS — The National Weather Service anticipates a line of strong to severe thunderstorms will move through the Southeast Louisiana area overnight and into tomorrow morning, Thursday, Nov. 1. Potential threats include damaging winds, large hail, and isolated tornadoes. Additionally, these storms could bring heavy rain, with two to four inches likely and locally higher amounts possible. Heavy rain in a short period of time could cause street flooding. The greatest threat to the New Orleans metro area will be between 3 a.m. and 9 a.m. Thursday morning.

 

Residents Encouraged to Review Storm Safety, Make Preparations, and Stay Weather Aware

Review storm safety tips to ensure your family knows what to do during severe weather.

  • During severe thunderstorms, seek shelter from wind and lightning.
  • In the case of a tornado warning, go to an interior room on the lowest level. Stay away from windows, doors, and outside walls.
  • Never drive through flooded areas. Call 9-1-1 to report major street flooding.

Preparing your home and neighborhood before a storm can help reduce potential damage.

  • Remove debris from gutters and downspouts.
  • Clear debris from in front of catch basins. Don’t lift a catch basin lid.
  • Prune trees and shrubs.
  • Bring outdoor furniture and decorations inside.
  • Secure or bring garbage bins inside.

Stay informed about severe weather by signing up for NOLA Ready Emergency Alerts, following @NOLAReady on Twitter, or visiting ready.nola.gov.

 

Parking Restrictions Suspended

Parking restrictions on neutral grounds and sidewalks will be suspended beginning at 10 p.m. this evening. Residents are reminded not to block intersections, driveways, or streetcar tracks. To reduce the 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 3-1-1 to report catch basins that are not fully functioning.

 

City Prepares for Severe Weather

The City’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is monitoring weather conditions and making preparations for potential impacts.


The Department of Public Works has and will continue to clean and unclog catch basins, as well as flush drain lines in flood-prone areas. 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. Residents should avoid lifting a catch basin lid or inserting anything into a catch basin.

               

The Sewerage and Water Board’s emergency operations team will be on duty throughout this weather event. The drainage system has 116 out of 120 drainage pumps available and a full power supply, including its five turbine generators, frequency changers and Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD) generators.

 

RTA Operations

RTA will operate normally unless conditions cause roads to be unsafe. RTA will send public notices detailing service interruptions as weather conditions change. Service alerts are available at http://www.norta.com/Maps-Schedules/Service-Alerts.aspx.

 

School Operations

The following schools will have a delayed start on Thursday, Nov. 1:

  • Foundation Preparatory Academy to start at 12 p.m.

 

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