May 26, 2026 | From City of New Orleans
Mayor Moreno, City Officials, and Partners Outline Preparedness Efforts for 2026 Hurricane Season
NEW ORLEANS — With the start of hurricane season just days away, today Mayor Helena Moreno joined city officials, first responders, and regional partners to detail how the City of New Orleans is preparing to respond to hurricanes, flash flooding, and other severe weather threats throughout 2026.
“Hurricane season starts in less than a week. NOAA is predicting a below average season - which is good news for us, but we still need to be ready just in case something severe comes our way,” Mayor Helena Moreno said. “This is why this meeting with our local and state partners is important to ensure everyone is set before hurricane season starts so we can keep New Orleanians safe. And while we do that, it’s important for you to come up with and go over your emergency plan with your family to make sure you are also prepared.”
From emergency communications and evacuation planning to public safety coordination and infrastructure readiness, city agencies are working together to ensure New Orleans is prepared before, during, and after a storm. Officials outlined ongoing efforts to strengthen emergency response operations, protect critical infrastructure and keep residents informed when severe weather threatens the region.
The 2026 hurricane season officially begins June 1 and runs through November 30. City leaders encouraged residents to prepare early by reviewing shelter in place and evacuation plans, gathering emergency supplies and staying connected to trusted information sources throughout the season.
Residents are encouraged to:
To receive emergency alerts in Spanish, text “ESP” to 77295.
The city also encourages residents with medical or mobility needs to register for Smart911 to help emergency responders better support access and functional needs during emergencies.
Below is an overview of preparedness efforts and operational readiness updates from city agencies and partner organizations:
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE (NWS)
The National Weather Service (NWS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are forecasting a below-normal 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, citing the anticipated development of El Niño conditions, which typically suppress tropical activity in the Atlantic Basin. NOAA’s outlook predicts 8 to 14 named storms, including 3 to 6 hurricanes and 1 to 3 major hurricanes.
Despite the below-normal forecast, officials continue to stress that it only takes one storm to significantly impact the Gulf Coast. Residents are encouraged to prepare now by reviewing emergency plans, gathering supplies and staying informed throughout hurricane season. The City of New Orleans will continue coordinating closely with the NWS throughout the season to monitor conditions and provide timely updates to the public through NOLA Ready and official City communication channels.
NEW ORLEANS OFFICE OF COORDINATION AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT (NOCEM)
The New Orleans Office of Coordination and Emergency Management (NOCEM) continues to coordinate citywide preparedness planning and emergency response operations ahead of hurricane season. In addition to coordinating with local, state and federal partners, the agency continues year-round public outreach efforts focused on helping residents prepare for emergencies and severe weather events.
Residents are encouraged to stay informed through NOLA Ready alerts, develop shelter-in- place and evacuation plans and gather emergency supplies before a storm threatens the region.
NOCEM also continues to prioritize preparedness efforts for vulnerable populations, including residents with medical and mobility needs, through coordination with partner agencies.
Additional preparedness resources and information are available at ready.nola.gov.
NEW ORLEANS REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY (RTA)
The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) continues coordination with local and regional emergency management partners to support hurricane preparedness and evacuation operations during the 2026 hurricane season. Depending on activation levels, the RTA may provide modified bus and paratransit transportation for city-assisted evacuations, including transportation support for elderly, medically vulnerable and mobility-limited residents through 311 coordination services, as well as coordinated pet evacuation assistance.
The agency also continues internal preparedness efforts, including emergency response training, readiness checks and updates to essential personnel rosters. Please visit norta.com for more preparedness resources and information.
SEWERAGE AND WATER BOARD OF NEW ORLEANS (SWBNO)
The Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) continues preparation efforts ahead of the 2026 hurricane season. SWBNO closely monitors significant weather events as forecasted and remains in regular communication with local and regional partners.
As part of hurricane season preparedness efforts, SWBNO is prioritizing staff training, performing preventive maintenance and testing generators and equipment across the system.
Residents are encouraged to clear debris from in front of the storm drains, report catch basin issues to 311 and follow SWB New Orleans on social media for updates during inclement weather events.
ENTERGY NEW ORLEANS (ENO)
Entergy New Orleans stands ready to respond to any potential outages as soon as conditions make it safe to do so. Following a storm, crews will conduct damage assessments and work to restore power as quickly and safely as possible.
Entergy New Orleans works year-round to prepare for hurricane season and to support community preparedness efforts. The company partners with neighborhood organizations across each Council district to share storm preparedness and safety information with customers, while coordinating with the City to inspect critical infrastructure ahead of severe weather events.
Customers are encouraged to visit the Entergy Storm Center and follow Entergy New Orleans on social media for hurricane preparedness information, outage updates and safety tips before, during and after severe weather events.
U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS (USACE)
The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) partners with local, state and federal emergency response teams to undertake a cohesive and collaborative team-of-teams approach to hurricane season readiness. The $14.5 billion greater New Orleans Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System has been inspected and can defend against the 100-year storm surge, an event that has a 1-percent chance of occurring in any given year. Operational testing and field exercises are underway and will continue throughout the hurricane season to ensure the system will perform as designed during a tropical weather event.
Levees and floodwalls reduce but do not eliminate risks associated with hurricanes, as there is always the potential for a storm greater than the system is designed to defend against. Residents and businesses can further reduce this residual risk by preparing their own hurricane season response plans now. Each plan should include the possibility of evacuation. USACE is committed to providing any information it has so that state, parish, and city officials can make informed decisions. If an evacuation is directed, all residents should listen to their officials and temporarily relocate to a safer area.
NEW ORLEANS & COMPANY
“New Orleans & Company and the city will host major conventions and events over the next several months, welcoming tens of thousands of visitors from around the world,” said Walt Leger III, President and CEO of New Orleans & Company, the official destination sales and marketing organization for the New Orleans tourism industry.
“Meeting planners and visitors continue to choose New Orleans because they know this is a city Built to Host — with world-class hospitality, walkability, culture and a hospitality industry experienced in preparedness and response. Since Katrina, billions of dollars have been invested in strengthened flood protection, coastal restoration, infrastructure and emergency preparedness systems that make our region more resilient every year. We appreciate our partnership with Mayor Moreno’s Administration and all local, state and federal partners working together to keep residents, employees and visitors safe, informed and prepared throughout hurricane season,” Leger said.
NEW ORLEANS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
The City of New Orleans Department of Health and Human Services are continuing coordinated efforts to protect vulnerable residents, particularly seniors and individuals with disabilities living in independent living facilities and nursing homes.
During Emergencies, like hurricanes, the Health Department focuses on three different areas:
- Independent Living Facilities and Nursing Homes – requirements
- Healthcare Facility Coordination
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Smart911 is not a substitute for 911/311 and residents are encouraged to report concerns or emergencies to the city. If you call 911 during an emergency, please stay on the line – do not hang up – your call will be answered. 311 will be activated during and after an event to connect residents with resources for assistance.
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Individuals who are elderly, have young children, have a chronic illness or other special medical concerns should talk to their medical providers about what they may need during an emergency and have a plan. Also, discuss plans with family, friends or neighbors who may assist you during these emergencies.
SMART 911 registry
Smart 911 is a confidential list of people who may need assistance during a disaster or an emergency. It helps the health department and other first responders plan for and provide adequate services to those with medical or functional needs, such as oxygen, dialysis, mobility devices, or cognitive impairments. SMART 911 does not guarantee assistance or evacuation:
What does SMART 911 do?
- Designed to make the Health Department and City agencies aware of the critical specific needs of individuals and improve the safety and well-being of those who enroll in it
- Through alerts, they notify individuals where resources are available.
- Connect medical/support service providers in identified groups in Smart911 with emphasis on residents who require dialysis or use electricity-dependent devices
- Partnering with Resilience Force, NOLA Ready, and AARP to sign up seniors for Smart911; Collecting medical information from residents to help planning efforts and inform risk-based decision making
Healthcare Facility Coordination
• NOHD/RTA coordinated a meeting for dialysis providers on 06/07/2023
• Ryan White –coordination of providers to be able to connect clients to services across the state and across southeast region
• NOHD Maternal Health programs; WIC, Healthy Start, and Family Connects –– remain in contact with mothers and babies who participate in these programs during emergencies
• Health & Homelessness – coordinate with NOLA Ready and Office of Homeless Services and Strategies to ensure public health sanitation and emergency preparedness efforts continue throughout hurricane season. Presenting hurricane preparedness to the Unity Service Providers and Professional Association meeting on Friday, June 16th.
• Behavioral Health Coordination – ensure integration of sobering center, Mobile Crisis Intervention Unit, and other behavioral health partners in our plan
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO
Residents are encouraged to prepare now and remain weather aware throughout hurricane season. Preparedness information, emergency updates and additional resources are available at ready.nola.gov
For emergency alerts, text “NOLAREADY” to 77295. For alerts in Spanish, text “ESP” to 77295.