Important Alert: Severe Weather

Following a conference call with the National Weather Service (NWS) and emergency managers from across the region, the New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (NOHSEP) would like to alert citizens of expected severe weather conditions. Through Tuesday evening, the NWS is predicting an additional 2 – 3 inches of rainfall for Metro New Orleans with possibilities of up to 4 – 6 inches of rain and possible flash flooding. The NWS is expecting light to moderate rain fall to begin later this afternoon with heavier rainfall predicted to begin around daybreak tomorrow morning.  Citizens should expect to experience flooding in low lying areas and on local streets.

In preparation of expected street flooding, citizens will not be ticketed for parking on neutral grounds, but are prohibited from parking on neutral grounds servicing street car lines. Persons parking on the neutral grounds should keep in mind that the ground is still saturated from this weekend’s rain and they should park at their own risk as the City will not be held liable for any damage to private property due to potential flooding or storm related hazards. Parking enforcement will resume after 6 pm Tuesday evening, or once weather conditions improve.

The City of New Orleans Department of Public Work strongly encourages all citizens to clean their catch basins, gutters, and drainage ditches along their properties in preparation of the inclement weather prediction and to prevent heavy rain from flooding city streets.

Robert Mendoza, Director of Public Works also reminds citizens that all property owners and residents are required to maintain the gutter, ditches, and catch basin openings adjacent to their property.

Citizens should exercise extreme caution during inclement weather and flooding. During flash flooding, most fatalities occur during evening hours and in automobiles. Citizens should not drive though flooded streets as it can cause vehicles to stall leaving drivers stranded. If you are driving and approach rapidly rising waters, the City urges you to turn around immediately, locate an alternative route, and move to higher ground away from canals and storm drains.

New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness along with its Public Safety partners will continue to monitor the weather conditions throughout the next 24 to 36 hours. We encourage all citizens to monitor local media outlets for the latest updates.