Exploring Homeland Security News

February 6, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS APPOINTS DARRICK HESSON TO DIRECTOR OF NEW ORLEANS OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY & EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS 

NEW ORLEANS – The City of New Orleans appoints Darrick Hesson as Director of the New Orleans Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness. The Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (NOHSEP) serves as New Orleans’ coordinating agency for public safety and emergency management. As director, Hesson will oversee the administration of all crises and consequence response protocols safeguarding New Orleans. 

Hesson is a native New Orleanian with more than 24 years of progressive experience in emergency management and homeland security. His career spans local, parish, state, and private sectors, giving Hesson a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities in safeguarding the City of New Orleans. 

January 24, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

ORLEANS PARISH REGISTRAR OF VOTERS ANNOUNCES OFFICE CLOSURE IN ACCORDANCE WITH GOVERNOR’S STATE OF EMERGENCY ORDER

In accordance with Governor Landry’s Executive Order Number JML-26-010, issued on Friday, January 23, 2026, the Orleans Parish Registrar of Voters, Lisa Manning Bridges, is informing voters that Early Voting for the February 7, 2026, Special Election will be suspended on Monday, January 26, 2026, at all Orleans Parish Early Voting sites.  

Early Voting will resume on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. and will end on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.

January 24, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

Cold  Weather Expected This Weekend; City Urges Residents to Stay Weather Aware and Expands Shelter Access

The New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (NOHSEP) along with partner agencies, is monitoring cold weather conditions expected overnight Sunday, Jan. 25, into the early morning hours on Monday, Jan. 26, and overnight Monday into the early morning hours of Tuesday, Jan. 27. Light, scattered showers are forecasted throughout the weekend and are expected to end by Sunday evening ahead of the cold front moving through our area.

Forecasts call for overnight low temperatures in the mid-20s late Sunday into early Monday, with potential “feels like” temperatures dropping into the teens. Similar conditions are expected overnight Monday into early Tuesday. 

January 17, 2026 | From City of New Orleans

Cold Weather Expected Overnight as City Monitors Conditions and Expands Shelter Access

The New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (NOHSEP), in partnership with the New Orleans Health Department (NOHD) and the Office of Homeless Services and Strategy (OHSS), is monitoring cold weather conditions overnight on Saturday, January 17, 2026.  During the early morning hours on Sunday, January 18, 2026, “feels like” temperatures are forecast to dip to near freezing for a few hours, with the potential for light rain or brief sleet.  

July 28, 2025 | From City of New Orleans

CITY OF NEW ORLEANS ANNOUNCES HEAT RELIEF RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR RESIDENTS TO STAY COOL AMID EXCESSIVE HEAT

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the New Orleans area is experiencing dangerously high temperatures early this week. A combination of heat and humidity could lead to daytime high heat index values—or “feels like” temperatures—of 110–115 degrees between Monday, July 28 and Tuesday, July 29.

July 23, 2025 | From City of New Orleans

CITY OF NEW ORLEANS ANNOUNCES COOLING CENTERS AVAILABLE FOR RESIDENTS TO STAY COOL AMID EXCESSIVE HEAT 

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the New Orleans area is under an extreme heat warning until 7 p.m., Wednesday, July. 23. NWS has forecasted a daytime high heat index value, or “feels like” temperatures, of between 107 to 114 degrees from Wednesday, July. 23 – Thursday, July. 24.

July 22, 2025 | From City of New Orleans

CITY OF NEW ORLEANS TO HOST FREE HERRICANE WATCH SUMMER CAMP IN PARTNERSHIP WITH I-DIEM

The City of New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (NOHSEP), through NOLA Ready, is proud to host the HERricane WATCH Summer Camp from July 28 through August 1 for girls and young women ages 13 to 20. The program is offered free of charge and will be held in collaboration with the Institute for Diversity and Inclusion in Emergency Management (I-DIEM). 

February 22, 2025 | From City of New Orleans

New Orleans Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (NOHSEP) I NOLA Ready Partners with KultureCity® to Provide Sensory Accessible and Inclusive- Accommodations for Mardi Gras 2025 

In a collaborative effort to make Mardi Gras 2025 more accessible and inclusive for individuals with sensory sensitivities, NOLA Ready has partnered with KultureCity® to provide a limited number of sensory bags (at no cost) at all First Aid Stations along the Mardi Gras parade routes.

January 16, 2025 | From City of New Orleans

CITY OF NEW ORLEANS ANNOUNCES PLANS TO ADDRESS ANTICIPATED INCLEMENT WEATHER

The City of New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (NOHSEP) today announced that it is closely monitoring the anticipated inclement weather, expected to begin the evening of Monday, Jan. 20 and extend into Wednesday, Jan. 22. Freezing temperatures and precipitation is expected, potentially causing ice on roadways, particularly on bridges and elevated roadways. NOHSEP has begun its operational preparations by coordinating with public safety agencies and City departments in anticipation of an Emergency Operation Center activation on Monday evening, which will extend through this weather cycle. NOHSEP remains in close contact with our state partners, including the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), who is coordinating the application of brine and salt for roadways, if needed.

January 10, 2025 | From City of New Orleans

SBA to Open Recovery Centers to Aid Businesses Impacted by Bourbon Street Terrorist Attack

The City of New Orleans today announced that in the wake of the devastating mass casualty incident on New Years Day, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is stepping up to support the recovery of Orleans Parish and the surrounding parishes of Jefferson, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, and St. Tammany.