September 3, 2018 | From City of New Orleans
City of New Orleans Monitoring Tropical Storm Gordon, Preparing for Heavy Rain
Heavy rain, high winds, and storm surge expected; voluntary evacuation of areas outside the levee issued
Tropical Storm Gordon is forecast to continue on a northwesterly track, impacting the northern Gulf Coast Tuesday evening through Wednesday. According to the National Weather Service, there is some potential for Gordon to attain hurricane strength before landfall. Although the forecast track has shifted slightly eastward today, New Orleans remains within the forecast cone, and residents should remain vigilant in preparing for this storm.
Heavy rainfall, high winds and storm surge outside levee protected areas continue to be the primary threats to the New Orleans area. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday. General accumulations of 3 to 7 inches in the next three days are expected, although locally higher amounts are possible if any bands set up over the city.
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Orleans Parish, with the potential for winds of 60 to 70 miles per hour (mph), mainly in gusts as rain bands move through the area. High winds can cause damage to unsecured property, snap or uproot trees, blow debris onto roads, and cause power and communications outages.
A Storm Surge Warning for areas outside the risk reduction system, with surge between 3 and 4 feet possible, is in effect. Because of the combined threat of existing coastal flooding and the increased surge from Gordon, the City urges residents outside the levee system to exercise extreme caution. At this time, the City is issuing a voluntary evacuation order only for areas outside the levee system, which includes Venetian Isles, Lake Catherine and Irish Bayou. As of now, the Flood Protection Authority does not anticipate closing the Highway 90 or Highway 11 floodgates.
City prepares for heavy rain, winds
The New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is activated working with our local, state and federal partners to monitor and prepare for potential impacts from this system.
The Sewerage & Water Board staff has begun holding regular meetings to prepare for the incoming weather. The drainage system has 116 out of 120 pumps available, with a 1,000 cubic-feet-per-second pump back online for emergency use at Drainage Pumping Station 13 in Algiers. The agency can produce more than 77 megawatts (MW) of 25 Hz power – more than what is needed to run the entire drainage system. Turbines 3, 4, 5 and 6 are available to provide power, and turbine 1 is available for emergency use. Crews are standing by, ready to operate every large pump station and to monitor automated stations and pumps at underpasses.
The Department of Public Works has and will continue to clean and unclog catch basins, as well as flush drain lines in flood-prone areas. To reduce 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 3-1-1 to report catch basins that are not fully functioning. Residents should avoid lifting a catch basin lid or inserting anything into a catch basin.
The New Orleans Police Department and New Orleans Fire Department have pre-staged barricades in flood-prone areas to prevent drivers from entering high water. Residents are reminded to never drive through flooded areas and to call 9-1-1 to report major flooding on the road. Motorists who drive faster than 5 mph on streets with standing water are subject to fines. A map of reported street flooding is available at streetwise.nola.gov. Additionally, NOPD will deploy high-water vehicles and boats to districts as needed.
The Real-Time Crime Center, which is staffed 24/7, utilizes the network of cameras citywide to provide situational awareness during severe weather to city leaders, emergency managers and first responders.
Residents encouraged to prepare for rain and review hurricane plans
The City of New Orleans encourages residents to prepare property for heavy rain and wind and to plan to shelter in place during severe weather.
Clean your property and street
- Remove debris from gutters and downspouts.
- Clear debris from catch basins. Report clogged catch basins to 311.
- Prune trees and shrubs.
- Bring outdoor furniture and decorations inside.
- Secure or bring garbage bins inside.
- Move your vehicles to higher ground. Parking restrictions on neutral grounds will be suspended beginning at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 4.
Plan to shelter in place during severe weather
Stay connected throughout the storm
- Sign up for emergency alerts. Text your zip code to 888777 or go to ready.nola.gov/alerts.
- Call 911 in an emergency. Call 311 for information or to report non-emergency service requests like downed trees.
- Follow NOLA Ready updates at ready.nola.gov and on social media @nolaready.
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.
Flood Protection Authority begins gate closures
The Flood Protection Authority – East (FPA) continues to prepare for Tropical Storm Gordon. As of noon today, the FPA has closed 21 floodgates, 9 valve gates and the concrete barge gate on the Lake Borgne Surge Barrier. These gates are all in Orleans and St. Bernard parishes, primarily along the Industrial Canal and susceptible to high-tide conditions if not closed. The FPA will continue to close key Industrial Canal floodgates the rest of today.
The Bayou Bienvenue and Bayou Dupree floodgates are closed and will be closed throughout the duration of this tropical event. The Caernarvon Sector Gate is scheduled to remain open until Tuesday morning; it will likely be closed due to rising tides. Boaters are encouraged to consider Caernarvon for safe harbor until that point.
At this time, the FPA does not anticipate that the three Pump Stations and Closure Structures at Lake Pontchartrain will be activated, but it is prepared to do so if the forecast changes and water levels in Lake Pontchartrain reach key thresholds. The FPA has been coordinating with the New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board throughout the weekend for that possibility and will continue to do so through the event.
The FPA has activated the Emergency Operations Center and will be monitoring conditions around the clock until this storm passes.
Gate closure alerts will continue to be sent out via the FPA alert system, which citizens can sign up for by following the AlertSense signup link at https://www.floodauthority.org.
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is monitoring Tropical Storm Gordon and is in constant communication with airlines and other stakeholders. Any delays and cancellations are decided by the individual airlines; therefore, travelers are encouraged to check with their airlines directly for the latest information on flights.
RTA Prepares for Tropical Storm Gordon
RTA buses and streetcars are operating on a Saturday schedule today, Monday, Sept. 3, for the Labor Day holiday. RTA operations teams are preparing for possible service interruptions due to Tropical Storm Gordon. If sustained winds exceed 35 mph, or other conditions cause roads or river conditions to become impassable, RTA transit services will be discontinued. Service alerts will be are available at http://www.norta.com/Maps-Schedules/Service-Alerts.aspx.
Entergy Monitoring Potential Impact to Louisiana
Entergy's Louisiana utilities continue to monitor the potential for impact to Louisiana from Tropical Storm Gordon. While the system’s strength upon landfall and exact path remains uncertain, Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans are preparing for the storm’s impact and the potential for power outages. The companies’ distribution and transmission crews and contractors are on alert and ready to safely restore service to customers as quickly as possible.
Entergy keeps customers informed about restoring power in several ways:
- A free app is available for iPhone or Android at entergyapp.com. Customers can use the app to report outages or check on the status of power at their homes or businesses.
- Entergy’s outage map shows where outages are located and gives information about restoration progress.
- Customers can send and receive text messages about storm and restoration efforts. Signing up is easy; simply text REG to 368374.
- The Entergy Storm Center has storm safety, preparation, restoration and other information that is regularly updated.
Updates from Various City Departments
Parks & Parkways
- Essential personnel are on alert and prepared to respond to emergencies as weather conditions allow.
- Forestry dump trucks have been emptied and readied for debris collection on both the East and West banks.
Sanitation
- Trash and recycling collection will continue as scheduled tomorrow (Tuesday).
- We will provide an update for Wednesday on Tuesday, based on the updated weather forecast.
- Generally, please secure your trash can and recycling carts BEFORE high winds and potential flooding so that they aren't carried away.
Construction & Road Work
All City contractors on active construction sites have been instructed to being securing their job sites to prevent damage and minimize debris.
Department of Public Works (DPW)
VAC Truck Deployment Plan
- Today: Three trucks proactively deployed to various locations
- Tuesday through Thursday (Sept. 4-6): Five trucks are scheduled to be deployed (locations decided per DPW Maintenance Division and as needed per flooding reports).
New Orleans Schools
Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB) will make a determination about school operations by no later than 6 p.m. today (Monday). Expect updates on OPSB and other schools on Monday evening.