The low-pressure system that will soon enter the Gulf of Mexico is expected to dump rain across South Louisiana over the next few days. The head of the New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness says he's cautiously optimistic about how the city will fare.
"I think we need to pay attention to it very closely. I don't think it's going to be a huge issue for New Orleans," Collin Arnold, the city's director of emergency preparedness and homeland security, said.
Arnold told WWL's Newell Normand that this system's set up reminds him of the 2016 storm that flooded the Acadiana and Baton Rouge regions, but he says unlike the 2016 system, this one won't stall over the state. Arnold says sandbag locations are now open. While residents may not need those sandbags this go 'round, Arnold urges people to get sandbags now just in case they'll need them later this hurricane season.
Sandbags are available at the following locations:
--Dryades YMCA Parking Lot, 2220 Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard
--Arthur Munday Center, 1111 Newton Street
--St. Raymond & St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, 2916 Paris Avenue
--Desire Florida Community Center, 3250 Industry Street
--Andrew P. Sanchez & Copelin-Byrd Multi-Service Center (Sanchez Center), 1616 Caffin Avenue (Back Lot)
Maria Goretti Catholic Church Parking Lot, 7300 Crowder Boulevard
"If the sandbags are part of what you like to do to prepare, this will be an opportunity to get those early in the season this year."
Arnold is urging residents to do their part to prevent flooding.
"Check your catch basins," Arnold said. "If there's something you can do to help us by raking or sweeping off the top, it's going to help that water drain. If it's a bigger project and needs the city to assist, call 311. We have crews--all of our crews are out there today--working on storm drain calls."
Arnold says doing a little bit of drainage work around your home could spare yourself and your neighbors from disaster.
"I was driving into work today, and I saw people already doing that, using a shovel or a rake, raking out the leaves and any debris that might be in there," Arnold said. "We've all seen it. That can make the difference between your street draining off as these rain showers come through or starting to hold water."
