NEW ORLEANS —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.

NOHSEP is upgrading to a Level 3 activation status. The agency will be monitoring cold temperatures and road conditions for the potential for freezing rain on Sunday evening. At this time, confidence in the development of icy or hazardous roadway conditions remains low.

City agencies are coordinating closely with the National Weather Service (NWS).

Utility Readiness

Entergy has taken a series of proactive pre-winter actions to prepare to serve our customers during extreme temperatures, including:

Insulating critical power plant equipment using improved methods and materials that allow them to withstand lower temperatures.
Insulating or draining piping within power generation facilities with potential for standing water during normal operation to prevent freezing and breaks.
Inspecting and maintaining substations and transmission lines that are critical to Bulk Electric System reliability.
Inspecting and testing equipment that can be impacted by extreme cold, such as gas-filled circuit breakers.

Residents are encouraged to prepare as well. Storm safety, preparation, and restoration updates are available through Entergy’s Storm Center.

Transportation

The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) reminds riders that transit service may experience delays during severe weather as operators prioritize safety. Riders should plan for extra travel time and check the LePass app for updates before heading out.

Shelter Access and Outreach

The Office of Homeless Services and Strategy (OHSS) is conducting outreach to unhoused residents to ensure they are aware of available overnight shelter resources. Traditional shelters will be available overnight, and based on current weather forecasts, the city is planning for an additional overnight shelter to open at Rosenwald Recreation Center overnight on Sunday, Jan. 25, and Monday, Jan. 26. However, this plan remains subject to change as conditions evolve.

If plans change, the city will provide an update. No additional notice will be issued if shelter plans remain unchanged.

The New Orleans area is under an extreme cold watch from the morning of Monday, Jan. 26 to the morning of Tuesday, Jan. 27. Additional watches or warnings may be issued closer to the event.

Shelter for Unhoused Individuals

Anyone in need of shelter overnight on Sunday, Jan. 25, or Monday, Jan. 26, please call the city’s non-emergency line at 3-1-1.

Individuals needing shelter will be accepted, free of charge, at the following locations:

New Orleans Mission, 1130 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., starting at 4:30 p.m.
The Salvation Army, 4526 S. Claiborne Ave., starting at 4:30 p.m.
Low Barrier Shelter, 1530 Gravier St., starting at 4:30 p.m.
Rosenwald Recreation Center, 1120 S Broad Ave, starting at 7 p.m.

Cold Weather Preparedness

Residents are encouraged to take precautions to protect the 4 P’s: people, pets, plants, and pipes during cold weather, using these tips:

STAY WARM AND PROTECT THE 4 P’s

Stay inside in heat during extreme cold.
If you go outside, wear layers, a hat, and gloves, and carry a cell phone.
Check on neighbors, children, the elderly, and the chronically ill to make sure they are okay.
Bring pets inside. If you are unable to bring outdoor pets inside, provide a shelter along with access to clean, unfrozen water.
Cats left outdoors often crawl into a car engine to get warm. Always honk your horn or tap your hood before starting your vehicle.
If there is a freeze warning, pets left outdoors should be reported by calling 9-1-1 so a New Orleans Humane Law & Rescue Officer can be dispatched.
Bring non-cold-hardy potted plants indoors. Cover outdoor plants in the afternoon before cold weather is expected.
Insulate your exposed pipes.
To help prevent frozen pipes, run a spaghetti-thin trickle of water from the one faucet farthest away from your water meter when temperatures approach 32 degrees F.
Open the doors to cabinets where your pipes are located to allow heat to pass from room to room.
Locate and identify your shutoff valve.
If you see a water leak, please call the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) emergency hotline at 504-52-WATER.

PRACTICE FIRE SAFETY & PREPARE YOUR HOME

Never leave space heaters unattended.
Never use a stove or an oven to heat your home.
Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to be sure they are working.
Have a fire extinguisher and know how to use it.

Residents are encouraged to sign up for NOLA Ready emergency text alerts by texting “NOLAREADY” to 77295. More information about winter weather is available at ready.nola.gov/plan/winter