public safety weather

‘Extremely dangerous’ Hurricane Ida strengthens as it nears landfall

The National Hurricane Center reported Sunday at 6 a.m. that Hurricane Ida is an “extremely dangerous” Category 4 storm expected to make landfall in southeastern Louisiana later today. Reports from a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds have increased to near 150 mph with higher gusts. The Mayor’s Read More…

weather

If you are leaving for Hurricane Ida, do it now, officials say on Saturday

Hurricane Ida will be a dangerous and life-threatening storm, city, state and national public safety officials said Saturday in a mid-day briefing. Ida is still expected to make landfall west of New Orleans on Sunday afternoon as a Category 4 hurricane. “If you’re leaving, which I recommend, do that now,” Mayor LaToya Cantrell said. “We Read More…

public safety weather

It’s hurricane prep time again in New Orleans

For the seventh time this year, New Orleans is in the path of a tropical system. The National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane warning for New Orleans on Tuesday morning, as Hurricane Zeta headed north from the Yucatan Peninsular with a late-Wednesday landfall predicted for southeastern Louisiana. City officials are urging residents to prepare today Read More…

public safety weather

Hurricane Sally’s northeastward track takes New Orleans out of danger zone

The National Weather Service downgraded the hurricane warning for New Orleans to a tropical storm warning early Tuesday, as Hurricane Sally sat in the Gulf of Mexico off the Mississippi-Alabama border. The storm is expected to make landfall late tonight or Wednesday near Mobile, putting New Orleans on Sally’s west side, where the threat is Read More…

public safety weather

Tropical Storm Sally on track to make landfall in southeast Louisiana as Cat 1

Tropical Storm Sally is expected to make landfall late Monday or early Tuesday as a Category 1 hurricane and make its presence known throughout the metro area through Wednesday. Sally was moving slowly west-northwest across the Gulf of Mexico on Monday morning, the National Hurricane Center reported. At 7 a.m. it was about 115 miles Read More…

public safety weather

Finish storm preparations today, city officials urge

Tropical Storm Sally is expected to bring hurricane conditions to southern Louisiana. Overnight and morning updates from the National Hurricane Center show its intensity has increased. The storm is now forecast to make landfall as a Category 2 hurricane, with impacts likely to begin Monday and last into Wednesday. City officials are urging residents to Read More…

COVID-19 opinion politics public safety weather

Viewpoint: In the midst of a pandemic, we need to prepare for an active hurricane season

By Danae Columbus, opinion columnist With all the rain we’ve had recently and Monday’s official start of hurricane season, I spent time yesterday ensuring my closest catch basin is in good working condition. After all, New Orleans is a city that floods, especially during hurricane season. With this year’s ongoing pandemic along with predictions of Read More…