June 2, 2020 | From City of New Orleans
City of New Orleans Monitoring Tropical Depression Three, Encourages Residents to Prepare for Rain and Hurricane Season
NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is monitoring Tropical Depression Three, which is forecast to remain in the the Bay of Campeche through this week and then drift northward into the Central Gulf of Mexico this weekend. It is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm later today, likely named Cristobal.
Regardless of further development, heavy rainfall will be possible in New Orleans late this week and into next week, with the heaviest rainfall over the weekend. It is too soon to say exactly what other impacts this system could have on the local area due to uncertainties in the track and intensity forecast; however, residents are encouraged to make hurricane preparations as June 1st marked the beginning of the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season.
Residents encouraged to prepare for rain
The City of New Orleans encourages residents to prepare for the potential of heavy rain later this week. Clear leaves and debris from gutters, downspouts, and in front of catch basins to help rain get to the drain. To reduce the risk of street flooding, do not park in front of or on a catch basin, and do not dispose of anything in a catch basin. Call 311 to report catch basins that are not fully functioning. Residents should avoid lifting a catch basin lid or inserting anything into a catch basin.
Residents and businesses are urged to place their garbage and recycling bins curbside on their scheduled collection days this week in anticipation of heavy rain over the weekend. If heavy rains occur at any time, residents should remove all bins from the curb and secure them on their private property to avoid debris clogging storm drains and the loss of the containers during street flooding.
Residents encouraged to review hurricane plans and to account for COVID-19
As always during hurricane season, residents are reminded to review emergency plans, gather emergency supplies, and stay informed. Hurricane preparedness information, including how to account for the ongoing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, is available at ready.nola.gov/hurricane. Updates from the City will be provided at ready.nola.gov and on social media @nolaready. Residents can also receive emergency alerts directly from the City by text, email, or phone call. To register for alerts, text your zip code to 888777 or go to ready.nola.gov/alerts.
Residents who might need extra help during an emergency due to medical or mobility needs should sign up for the City’s Special Needs Registry. To register, call 3-1-1 or go to specialneeds.nola.gov.
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