Press Releases

New Orleans, LA - Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) closely monitors significant weather events when forecasted. As inclement weather is anticipated, SWBNO’s focus is to ensure that we have the power capacity, personnel, and operational strategies to manage the anticipated weather conditions.

As part of our pre-storm preparations, our Operations team began lowering canal levels to increase stormwater storage. We have also enhanced staffing levels to ensure all teams are coordinated and equipped to respond quickly to any unforeseen issues.

We are communicating with our partners at the City of New Orleans, NOLA Ready, Entergy, the Levee District, and the National Weather Service to ensure a coordinated response. Our teams closely monitor the evolving weather conditions, and we encourage residents to remain weather aware. For real-time updates, follow our partners at @NWSNew Orleans and @NOLAReady on Twitter or text NOLAREADY to 77295.

Our Response

Drainage Operations crews have been preparing for inclement weather and lowering drainage canal levels. These efforts will continue throughout the day. 87 of 93 drainage pumps are currently available.

Power Operations: Reliable power has been a concern during past weather events. Today, we are in a much stronger position thanks to the commissioning of the Power Complex, which provides a dependable source of power for our drainage system.

We have 93 megawatts available of 25-Hz power capacity to operate our older pumps. At this level of operation, our drainage system is expected to perform at full capacity, meaning it can pump out an inch of rain in the first hour and a half-an-inch of rain every hour thereafter. Any intense rainfall exceeding our capacity may cause street flooding.

• SFC1 is available for use.
• SFC2 is available for use.
• SFC3 is available for use.
• Turbine 6 is available for use.
• 5 out of 5 EMDS available for service.
• Frequency Changer #1 at Carrollton Frequency Changer Facility is available for use. 
• Frequency Changer #2 at Carrollton Frequency Changer Facility available for use.
• Frequency Changer #3 at Station D is available for use.
• Frequency Changer #4 at Station D is out of service.
• Frequency Changer #3 at Algiers Water Treatment Facility out of service.
• Plant Frequency Changer at Carrollton Water Plant out of use due to an electrical issue.
• Turbine 5 is out of service.
• Turbine 4 is permanently removed from service.

Underpass Stations:

At Old Carrollton Underpass Station, 3 out of 3 pumps are out of service. A temporary pump has been deployed in the interim.

All other underpass pumps are in service.

We scheduled additional essential employees to work through this potential weather event until the weather conditions no longer affect our area. 

For the latest updates on pumping and power statuses, please visit our Pumping and Power Dashboard: https://www.swbno.org/Projects/PumpingAndPower.

Emergency Hotline Available

Our Emergency Hotline remains staffed and available 24/7. Customers can report leaks and other water or sewer-related emergencies by calling 52-WATER. To report an accident or street flooding, please call 911.

Stay Prepared and Weather Aware 

Residents are advised to remove debris in front of their catch basins ahead of the rain. Leaves and trash can clog our drainage system, preventing rainwater from flowing through and increasing the chances of street flooding. Please report clogged/damaged catch basins by calling 311 or report online at https://www.swbno.org/Stormwater/FloodTracker.

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