For Immediate Release: Friday, January 19, 2024 12:52 PM
NEW ORLEANS — The City of New Orleans activated the citywide freeze plan today through the weekend. City personnel, Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans and Entergy New Orleans continue winter weather preparedness and encourage residents to take precautions for anticipated freezing temperatures.
The City is coordinating its efforts with the health, infrastructure and public safety teams, which includes the New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, New Orleans Police Department, New Orleans Fire Department, New Orleans Health Department, and Orleans Parish Communication District (311/911).
While this is not a hard freeze, temperatures will dip below 32 degrees for a period of time. Temperatures are not predicted to be as cold or last as long as our recent cold snap; however, we encourage people to take precautions and stay weather aware.
As temperatures approach 32 degrees, you can run only one faucet furthest from the meter at a spaghetti-thin trickle of water to protect your pipes on raised homes and businesses, especially if they are exposed and not insulated.
There is still time to protect your pipes. Insulate your exposed pipes by wrapping them with foam, rubber, or fiberglass sleeves. You can also use rags or newspaper. Be sure to wrap the pipes with at least an inch of those materials, then cover them with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to keep them dry. Read more about protecting your pipes during a freeze at https://www.swbno.org/DrinkingWater/FightingTheFreeze.
SWBNO advises all residents to stay weather aware by following @NOLAReady for updates or text "NOLAREADY" to 77295 for text updates.