NEW ORLEANS — In anticipation of cold weather, the City of New Orleans today announced it will activate the Citywide Freeze Plan overnight tonight, Nov. 17, and will deactivate Friday, Nov. 18.
The National Weather Service predicts “feels like” temperatures at or slightly before freezing overnight. Factoring in wind chill, temperatures will remain below the threshold of 35 degrees Fahrenheit, long enough to trigger the activation of the Citywide Freeze Plan tonight only.
The New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (NOHSEP) is coordinating closely with the National Weather Service and will update residents through NOLA Ready alerts should local impacts from winter weather increase. A Hard Freeze is not expected in New Orleans at this time, but residents should be prepared to protect people, pets and plants from the cold. After tonight, the freeze plan is not anticipated to be activated for the next seven days.
Shelter for the Homeless
The freeze plan will be in effect to provide temporary shelter for unhoused residents. If someone is in need of shelter, please call the New Orleans Police Department’s (NOPD) non-emergency number at (504) 821-2222. Individuals seeking shelter will be accepted free of charge at the following locations and under the following conditions:
- The Salvation Army, 4530 S. Claiborne Ave., will accept adults beginning at 4 p.m.
- Ozanam Inn, 2239 Poydras St., will accept adults before 4 p.m. for overnight shelter
- New Orleans Mission, 1130 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., will accept adults for overnight shelter before 6 p.m.
- Low Barrier Shelter, 1530 Gravier St., will accept adults beginning at 7 p.m.
Cold Weather Preparedness
Residents are encouraged to take precautions to protect people and pets during cold weather using these tips:
STAY WARM
- 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 chronically ill to make sure they are safe and warm.
- Bring pets inside.
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 ensure they are working.
- Have a fire extinguisher handy and know how to use it.
For more information about winter weather, residents should visit ready.nola.gov/winter.
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