City Reminds Residents of Precautions During Severe Weather
NEW ORLEANS – According to the National Weather Service, there is an enhanced risk of severe weather and heavy rainfall in the New Orleans area during the day on Saturday, April 14, 2018.
Storms are expected to move through the metro area throughout the morning, afternoon, and evening on Saturday. Severe weather threats include damaging wind gusts, large hail, and tornadoes. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect tonight through late Saturday evening. Average rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches are expected, however locally higher totals over 6 inches will be possible where slow moving or multiple bands of thunderstorms move over the same area. These rainfall amounts could cause flash flooding.
The City’s Emergency Operations Center is activated to a Level II activation. The New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness will continue to monitor weather conditions on Saturday, paying special attention to the hours of French Quarter Festival.
Public safety is our top priority. Residents are urged to review severe weather safety plans and to stay weather-aware. 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 & outside walls. Residents are also urged to prepare their homes and neighborhoods for severe weather and prevent property damage. Clean out gutters and downspouts; clean in front of catch basins; and secure outdoor furniture and garbage bins. More information on severe weather preparedness is available at ready.nola.gov/storms.
Due to the potentially severe danger that could result from high water, residents should call 911 to report street flooding and life-threatening emergencies. Residents are advised to remain indoors during heavy rainfall unless an emergency makes it absolutely necessary for them to get on the road. Residents are advised to use caution around areas prone to significant street flooding such as streets under bridges and overpasses and to never walk or drive through flooded areas. The New Orleans Police Department will ticket motorists who drive faster than 5 mph on streets with standing water. Visit streetwise.nola.gov to view reports of street flooding. The Department of Public Works has suspended parking restrictions on neutral grounds due to the possibility of street flooding. Starting at 8 p.m. tonight until 8 p.m. tomorrow, April 14, residents are allowed to park on the neutral ground and sidewalks, as long as vehicles do not block intersections, streetcar tracks or travel lanes.
Residents and visitors can stay up-to-date by signing up for emergency alerts and following the @NOLAReady Twitter account. To sign up for emergency alerts, text your zip code to 888777 or sign up online at ready.nola.gov/alerts.
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