city government

Mayor: Freezing weather is “putting incredible strain on all our utilities;” boil-water notice to continue until capacity is restored (video)

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The unusual period of freezing weather in New Orleans has put so much strain on the New Orleans water system that residents need to refrain from using water when it all possible until the emergency boil water notice can be lifted, though the electrical system is expected to be able to handle the load, Mayor Mitch Landrieu and other officials said late Thursday morning. In part because of residents running faucets to keep pipes from freezing, and in part because of frozen pipes bursting in the cold, the water systems in Orleans and Jefferson parishes had so much demand overnight that the water pressure fell to unreliable levels, creating the possibility that contaminated water could enter the system and requiring a boil water notice. Officials will not be able to begin testing the water quality until the system can generate enough water to refill the pipes, so they are now urging residents to conserve as much water as possible. “Everyone can now see that this prolonged freezing is stressing the critical water and power utilities in New Orleans and all surrounding parishes, notwithstanding the fact that the sun is out,” Landrieu said. “We are urging residents, in order to help us, to limit water usage throughout the day to necessities only.

health

Precautionary boil water advisory issued for East Bank New Orleans

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The Sewerage & Water Board (S&WB) has issued a precautionary boil water advisory for the entire East Bank of New Orleans due to a further drop in water pressure Thursday morning, Jan. 18. This is an expansion of the advisory issued Wednesday for areas east of the Industrial Canal, including Venetian Isles, Lake Catherine and Irish Bayou. Neither advisory applies to the West Bank. Safety Tips
Don’t consume tap water

Use bottled or boiled water to drink, cook, brush teeth, and mix baby formula.

city government

As freezing weather continues, New Orleans officials urge minimal driving, other precautions

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I know it’s more ice than snow but Mid-City is turning into a winter wonderland! #SNOLA pic.twitter.com/Z8VaieIcbs— Carolyn “Carnival Time” Scofield ??? (@NewsCarolyn) January 17, 2018

The freezing weather that covered much of New Orleans in a thin layer of crunchy ice overnight continued Wednesday morning, and officials urged residents to minimize their driving and take other precautions as schools and businesses remained closed. Temperatures in New Orleans were expected to rise into the 30s during the day Wednesday, then plunge again into the 20s overnight. Wind chill, however, was expected to be in single-digit temperatures, and with ice on the roads, residents are asked to refrain from driving if possible.

weather

Possibility of snow among predictions for bitter cold and hard freeze in New Orleans

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Among another blast of unusually cold weather, forecasters are predicting a possibility of snow as part of the below-freezing temperatures expected in New Orleans Tuesday night, according to the National Weather Service. “Another Arctic airmass is on the way with the cold front having quickly moved through this morning,” wrote the National Weather Service in a warning early Tueday morning. “Very cold air is already moving in behind the front.” Temperatures will fall toward freezing and plunge into the 20s overnight, and the precipitation expected could result in snow, sleet or freezing rain, according to the National Weather Service. “Areas around Houma, New Orleans, and along the Mississippi coast should see the wintry mix develop during the late afternoon and evening hours,” the warning states.

weather

National Weather Service warns of ongoing dangerous sub-freezing temperatures, wind chill

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The freezing temperatures that opened the New Year in New Orleans will continue for much of the week, staying in the 30s during the day and dipping back into the 20s overnight through Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. Monday’s temperature was hovering below freezing in the morning but expected to rise to a high of around 35 degrees by afternoon, according to the National Weather Service’s New Orleans/Baton Rouge office. Temperatures will start to fall again around dusk, plunging to a low of 22 degrees overnight. Tuesday’s high may reach 39 degrees, but wind chill could make it feel as cold as 9 degrees, the National Weather Service predicts. Overnight, the temperature will fall again into the 20s, with “a 20 percent chance of light snow after midnight,” forecasters say.

city government

New Orleans mayor declares 7 p.m. curfew as fast-moving Hurricane Nate approaches

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Hurricane Nate’s winds were 90 mph Saturday morning and the fast-moving storm was expected to strengthen further to a Category 2 storm before making landfall overnight on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and the city of New Orleans said it would be enforcing a mandatory curfew starting at 7 p.m.

Surveillance of Hurricane Nate showed it moving at a “very rapid” 25 mph through the Gulf of Mexico on Saturday morning, according to the National Hurricane Center. “While still uncertain, the latest forecast shows Nate strengthening and producing heavy winds and above-average rainfall in the area beginning Saturday afternoon through Sunday, October 8,” according to the mayor’s office. “The current forecast indicates 3-6 inches of rain over the duration of the system. Our greatest threats from this system are strong winds and storm surge. “New Orleans could see winds between 50 and 80 mph starting Saturday, and a strong wind event can cause significant power outages.

weather

“Heavy wind” is likeliest threat to New Orleans from Tropical Storm Nate, mayor says; state of emergency declared

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With the forecast track for newly-formed Tropical Storm Nate drifting closer toward New Orleans, city officials are warning residents to prepare for a threat of heavy wind and other possible effects of bad weather. Read the full announcement from the mayor’s office below:

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.

city government

Danae Columbus: In hurricane season, threat of flooding never far from the city of New Orleans

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The New Orleans City Council’s budget hearing today focuses on capital improvements, public works and other drainage improvements that were paid for this year with emergency funds. When also factoring in yesterday’s fire at the Sewerage & Water Board’s Claiborne Avenue main pumping station, it’s easy to see why citizens are becoming more skeptical about the ability of our mayor and his S&WB team to protect us against flooding. Today’s conversations are especially important in light of the recent catastrophic devastation in Texas and Southwest Louisiana caused by Hurricane Harvey and the terrible toll Hurricane Irma is already having in the Caribbean. Let’s not forget that storms Jose and Katia are not far behind. At least most New Orleanians already understand what they must do to prepare for a weather emergency — load up on plywood, sand bags, a three day supply of bottled water and canned goods for people and companion animals, extra cash, and a good flashlight with new batteries.

city government

All New Orleans public schools to reopen Wednesday

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After a surprise day off Tuesday for Tropical Storm Harvey’s rains, all students in the Orleans Parish School Board and Recovery School District will return to their schools as normal on Wednesday, officials announced. Most of New Orleans has received 3 to 4 inches of rain from Harvey as of Tuesday afternoon, though some areas have received as much as 5 to 6 inches, said Mayor Mitch Landrieu in a news conference. With another 3 or 4 inches expected overnight, the total this week is likely to be squarely within the 5 to 10 inches initially forecast for New Orleans by the National Weather Service, Landrieu said. “That prediction is right on track,” Landrieu said. The latest models show Harvey is expected to make its second landfall between Lake Charles, La., and Beaumont, Texas, overnight, then continue northward while weakening into a tropical depression Wednesday.

public safety

New Orleans residents urged to stay home as rain from Tropical Storm Harvey continues

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After rain bands from Tropical Storm Harvey brought nearly 6 inches of rain to New Orleans on Monday, city officials warned residents to stay off the streets if at all possible because of the continued threat of flooding with nearly several inches more rain expected Tuesday. The center of Harvey has moved back into the Gulf of Mexico off the Texas coast and is slowly moving northward, with a second landfall predicted around 7 a.m. Wednesday in Lake Charles, according to the National Weather Service. “Yesterday, the City experienced some localized flooding and received as much as 5.85 inches of rain at the Sewerage and Water Board (S&WB) pump station in New Orleans East,” according to a news release form the city. “Mayor Landrieu has advised residents to stay home and shelter in place today due to heavy rainfall and potential localized flooding associated with Harvey. “Heavy rainfall remains the primary concern for New Orleans, with 3 to 4 inches of rain forecasted for today.