The City of New Orleans announced today that it is extending its citywide freeze plan, which went into effect Monday, January 6, through Friday night, January 10, in anticipation of further cold weather.
Hard freezes are still not expected in New Orleans, but residents needs to be prepared to guard people, pets, pipes and plants from the cold.
The National Weather Service (NWS) predicts that in this era the “feels like” temperature might be equal to or barely below freezing and can persist throughout the night from Friday to Saturday morning. This projected range falls inside the freeze plan activation threshold of lower than 35 degrees Fahrenheit (including wind chill) for greater than 4 hours.
The City of New Orleans’ Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is working closely with the NWS and can notify residents through NOLA Ready if the likelihood of local winter weather impacts increases.
The freeze plan includes expanding a short lived shelter for homeless residents. If anyone needs shelter, please call the city’s non-emergency number at 3-1-1. People in need of shelter might be welcomed free of charge at the following locations:
- Ozanam Inn (Poydras Street 2239)
- New Orleans Mission (1130 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd.)
- Salvation Army (4526 S. Claiborne Avenue)
- Low barrier shelter (1530 Gravier Street)
- Rosenwald Recreation Center (1120 S. Broad Avenue)
In the meantime, residents are encouraged to take precautions to guard people and pets during cold weather by following the suggestions below:
- Stay warm during extreme cold
- If you go outside, wear layers, a hat and gloves, and carry a cellphone
- Check on neighbors, children, the elderly and the chronically ailing to be certain that they’re protected
- Bring the animals inside
