Mayor LaToya Cantrell along with officials with the Sewerage and Water Board and other emergency leaders laid out their plan to prepare for harsh winter conditions in New Orleans.
Freezing weather is expected in New Orleans from 3:00 p.m. and lasts about 12 hours, said Mayor Cantrell.
That prompted city leaders to activate their freeze plan which includes opening homeless shelters in the city and preparing residents for a possible citywide boil water advisory.
“There is the likelihood of water freezing in pipes on private property and causing a spike in water main breaks which will lead to a drop in water pressure,” said Sewerage and Water Board Director, Ghassan Korban. “And considering the fragile state of our water main system, it is very likely we will experience water main breaks across the city.”
Korban says the state mandates the S&WB maintain a water pressure above 20 psi. Any pressure drop below that will activate a boil water advisory which is why he urges New Orleans residents to run a spaghetti thin trickle of water from a faucet to help mitigate the possibility of water main breaks. He says businesses and schools unoccupied due to the pandemic restrictions should also run a thin stream of water.
Korban also says the S&WB does not have adequate power backup if the facility loses power. Entergy officials said at Monday’s press conference that the S&WB facility will be a top priority and generators will be available should it lose power.
City leaders also have lifted parking restrictions in the city which were put in place for Mardi Gras. Those restrictions will not be enforced until Tuesday.
