City Urges Residents and Businesses to Prepare for
Tropical Storm Cindy

Mayor Landrieu Postpones State of the City Due to Tropical Storm Cindy

NEW ORLEANS – Today, the City urged all New Orleans residents and businesses to get prepared and stay informed as hurricane season continues. At this time, the City is monitoring Tropical Storm Cindy that could impact southeast U.S. and Gulf coasts, including New Orleans, tonight. 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.

Due to the tropical storm, Mayor Landrieu has postponed the scheduled State of the City Address scheduled for Wednesday, June 21, 2017. More details on the new date and time of the State of the City Address will be provided at a later time.

This tropical storm is expected to bring heavy rain with moderate winds to New Orleans late tonight night and into Friday morning.

“Public safety is our top priority and right now we are monitoring this activity closely,” Mayor Landrieu said. “This tropical disturbance could potentially impact us beginning tonight. New Orleans is no stranger to natural disasters, which is why we strongly encourage every resident to take action now and plan ahead.”

Landfall is now expected in southwest Louisiana. Heavy rain with moderate winds will impact New Orleans starting tonight through Friday morning. Although current predicted rainfall amounts are between 4 to 8 inches, isolated areas could see more than 10 inches through Thursday night.

Residents are advised to use caution around areas prone to significant street flooding during severe weather such as streets under bridges and overpasses.  Due to the potentially severe danger that could result from high water, residents should call 911 to report street flooding and life-threatening emergencies.

To reduce flooding risk, the City asks that residents clean or clear gutters and catch basins near their homes and businesses.

Residents are advised to stay home during heavy rainfall unless an emergency makes it absolutely necessary for them to get on the road. The NOPD will ticket motorists who drive faster than 5 mph on streets with standing water.

In conjunction with the US Army Corps of Engineers, the City and Sewerage and Water Board are monitoring water levels in canals and the Lake. The City’s drainage system can remove one inch of water from streets in its first hour of operation and a half-inch in subsequent hours. All pumping stations are operational.

The public is encouraged to call 311 for general information and to report non-life threatening emergencies such as storm preparation information, sidewalk and road problems or debris. 311 will continue taking calls until 8 p.m. tonight and continue extended hours through tomorrow, June 21 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Councilmember-at-Large Jason Williams said, “In the case of tropical storms or hurricanes, always be prepared. Have a plan for your medications, pets and stock up on water. Know where your closest City-Assisted Evacuspot is located. In the event of power outages, the City of New Orleans and our utility partners are prepared to work round the clock to get everyone back on line as fast as possible. Please tie down or remove any lawn objects that could be launched in high winds and be mindful that standing water can be very deep water. Be safe, please check on your neighbors and we can all weather this storm like New Orleanians always do.”

District B Councilmember LaToya Cantrell said, “Everyone knows these storms can be dangerous. We must do everything we can to ensure our citizens are adequately prepared before a storm hits.”

District E Councilmember James Gray said, “Rain events are common place in south Louisiana. The City is prepared for whatever will come our way, and I urge all of our citizens to do what you’ve done a hundred times before: protect yourselves, your loved ones and your neighbors.”

Get 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. 

1. Make a plan to make sure every family member knows what to do, who to call, and where to go during an emergency.
2. Gather supplies you’ll need in case tropical weather requires you to shelter in place without power, running water or access to groceries.
3. Stay informed by signing up for emergency alerts, watching the news, and following @nolaready on social media. Keep mobile phone near at all times to monitor updates.
4. Secure or bring inside all loose outdoor objects, including lawn furniture, signs, trash, and garbage and recycling bins.
5.  Keep catch basins and storm drains clear of debris and disposing of leaves and other yard waste properly.
6. Avoid driving as much as possible. Avoid driving through floodwaters and be careful of low visibility.
7. Practice alternate routes out In a disaster roads may be blocked, buses and city transportation shut down or re-routed, or streets impassable. Each family member should know all possible exit routes from you home and your neighborhood.

Stay Informed
The City offers multiple ways to stay up-to-the minute on information and get prepared. By visiting ready.nola.gov, residents can sign up for NOLA Ready alerts, which will notify residents of emergency situations including, but not limited to, evacuation information; chemical spills; shelter-in-place alerts; weather advisories; and, infrastructure issues, such as boil water advisories. Residents can tailor the alerts to specific locations, types of alerts and on which devices they will be notified.

Residents may also get accurate, up-to-the-minute information and safety tips during an emergency by following NOLA Ready on Twitter (@NOLAReady).

Residents may also get more information about how to prepare for emergency situations, such as a suggested disaster supply kit for every household, at ready.nola.gov.

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 3-1-1 or by visiting ready.nola.gov.

RTA
New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) will continue to provide transit services as weather and road conditions permit. Streetcars will be replaced with buses if winds exceed 35 MPH, line blockages occur or water pools on streetcar tracks. Buses will remain in operation as long as weather and road conditions permit.  If water levels reach the front step of vehicles, bus operations will cease.

Entergy
According to Entergy, it has activated its emergency response center, pre-staged all equipment and activated mutual assistance agreements with other agencies. Customers are encouraged to go to www.entergy.com to sign up for text messages. Residents may call 1-800-9OUTAGE to report outages or downed power lines.

Customers are encouraged to download the free Entergy app or go to www.entergy.com to sign up for text messages. Residents may call 1-800-9OUTAGE to report outages or downed power lines.

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