As the chill of winter descends upon the city, the New Orleans government has announced the activation of its Citywide Freeze Plan (CFP) for the coming night of December 14. This decision comes in the face of the National Weather Service's predictions of "feels like" temperatures expected to dip at or below the freezing mark, specifically reaching the CFP's activation threshold, which is below 35 degrees Fahrenheit when including wind chill, for more than four hours, as per an article from nola.gov.
While the alert from the weather service indicates no current severe watches or warnings, the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness for New Orleans remains vigilant. They plan to communicate any updates regarding the possibility of increased winter weather impact to the residents through NOLA Ready alerts. Meanwhile, informed by past cold snaps, the city is gearing up to ensure protection for its residents, pushing the importance of taking shelter and protecting the vulnerable among us, including pets, and how, in the event of chilling winds, one should cover themselves adequately if stepping outside.
For individuals facing homelessness, the announced freeze plan will come as a lifesaving respite, as the city has coordinated shelters to welcome those in need. These provisions are revealed to be accessible free of charge at several locations throughout the city, with operational hours mainly from the evening until morning. Among the listed sites for shelter are the Rosenwald Recreation Center, Ozanam Inn, New Orleans Mission, The Salvation Army, and the Low Barrier Shelter. They have reiterated that those seeking shelter can contact the city's non-emergency line at 3-1-1 for assistance, as stated in the nola.gov article.
In addition to providing shelter, the city advises residents to engage in critical cold weather preparedness. Key recommendations include staying warm indoors, practicing fire safety, ensuring operating smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and preparing homes to counter the cold. Emphasizing community ethos, the city encourages checking on neighbors, particularly children, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses, making sure they are secure against the cold's assault. Residents have also been urged to sign up for NOLA Ready emergency text alerts by texting “NOLAREADY” to 77295 for more information on handling the winter weather with preparedness and care.
