New Orleans officials are asking residents of Venetian Isles, Lake Catherine, and Irish Bayou to evacuate as tropical storms Marco and Laura threaten the region. Those areas are outside of the hurricane risk reduction system.
Both storms could be category one hurricanes when they make landfall -- expected Monday for Marco and Wednesday for Laura.says
New Orleans Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Director Collin Arnold announced the city is also lifting parking restrictions starting at 6:00 p.m. Sunday, allowing vehicle owners to park on neutral grounds and sidewalks, as long as they do not block driveways or streetcar tracks.
Arnold said they do not anticipate a weather event strong enough to require an evacuation of the city.
The New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board has 98 of 99 pumps drainage pumps online, said Arnold. New Orleans infrastructure head Ramsey Green said Friday that by Sunday, all 99 pumps should be operational.
Arnold also addressed the storms' potential affects on the cleanup around the Hard Rock Hotel construction collapse.
"There's still a debris hazard in that area" said Arnold. "People should be aware in that area. They shouldn't be out, anyway, but if they are in that area, particularly, they want to avoid it."