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.
- Make a plan to make sure every family member knows what to
do, who to call, and where to go during an emergency.
- Gather
supplies you’ll
need in case tropical weather requires you to shelter in place
without power, running water or access to groceries.
- 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.
- Secure or
bring inside all loose outdoor objects, including lawn furniture,
signs, trash, and garbage and recycling bins.
- Keep
catch basins and storm drains clear of debris and disposing of leaves and
other yard waste properly.
- Avoid driving as much as possible. Avoid driving through
floodwaters and be careful of low visibility.
- 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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