NEW ORLEANS - As the Administration and City Council continue to monitor Tropical Storm Barry, which is expected to make landfall early Saturday morning, District "D" Councilmember Brossett is encouraging residents to wrap up preparedness activities as soon as possible. 

"We say the same thing every year, but preparation and communication is key to staying safe and minimizing the impact of a severe weather event," said Councilmember Brossett. "I would like to commend Mayor Cantrell for her excellent leadership throughout this process, and ensuring that all City officials and personnel, as well as residents, are constantly informed of preparedness efforts leading up to the storm. While the extent of the impact in New Orleans remains unclear, we are taking every precaution to ensure the safety of all residents in the coming days."

WEATHER

• Continue to expect heavy rain to be the primary impact from Barry, beginning later today. TS-force winds have already reached SELA coast. Storm surge of up to six feet could occur in areas outside of the levee system, including Venetian Isles, Lake Catherine, and Irish Bayou.
• The City's Emergency Operations Center is at a Level I activation 24/7.
• SLFPA East has closed the Surge Barrier, the Seabrook sector gate, and all flood gates along the Mississippi River and Industrial Canal. Currently, they do not anticipate closing lakefront gate from Lakefront airport to West End.
• The Louisiana National Guard is prepared to respond to Hurricane Barry and provide support options. Currently, more than 1100 soldiers and 16 boats are in the vicinity of New Orleans.
• The flood gate at Downman Road will be closed today.
• Residents are reminded not to park on levees.

ROADS

Depending on the location and intensity of rain bands, we may experience extended heavy rain that could lead to flooding. Residents must be prepared to shelter in place and stay off roads during flooding.

• NOPD and NOFD will close flooded roads in low-lying areas as needed.
• High water vehicles and boats are pre-staged around the city should water rescues be necessary.
• DPW has 12 vac truck crews cleaning catch basins today.

TRANSIT

RTA will continue to provide on-going services, weather permitting. Services will be suspended if roads are impassable and will resume once they are safe.

• All streetcar service lines have been replaced with bus service.
• All ferry vessels have been secured for safety and the Algiers Point/Canal Street ferry service is being replaced with bus service. 
• Paratransit service is being provided as medically necessary.

PREPAREDNESS

Residents and businesses should be wrapping up preparedness activities today:

• Gather emergency supplies, including water, food & medication for at least three days.
• Prepare property for heavy rain and wind: clean gutters, downspouts and in front of catch basins.
• Trash collection will occur as usual today. After collection, residents should secure trash and recycling carts for the duration of the storm event.
• Residents with special medical needs or who rely on electricity for medical equipment should register for the special needs registry at specialneeds.nola.gov or by calling 3-1-1.

STAY CONNECTED

Stay connected with Councilmember Brossett by following @jared.brossett on Facebook, @jaredcbrossett on Twitter and @jared_brossett Instagram.

Stay connected with NOLA Ready.

• Text BARRY to 888777. We have nearly 40,000 subscribers already.
• See updates at ready.nola.gov.
• Follow @nolaready on social media.

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Contact:

Domonique Dickerson
Chief of Staff
Councilmember Jared C. Brossett, Chair of Budget/Audit/BoR Committee
504-658-1040
dcdickerson@nola.gov