NEW ORLEANS — Mayor LaToya Cantrell issued an emergency declaration on Sunday as the City of New Orleans, Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans and Entergy New Orleans continue winter weather preparedness and encourage residents to take precautions for freezing temperatures early this week.
READ: Mayor Cantrell’s emergency declaration
The City is coordinating its efforts with the health, infrastructure and public safety team that includes the New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, New Orleans Police Department, New Orleans Fire Department, New Orleans Health Department, and Orleans Parish Communications District (311/911).
As temperatures approach 32 degrees, the The Sewerage and Water Board encourages residents to run only the faucet furthest from the meter at a spaghetti-thin trickle of water to protect their pipes. Anything more will further drop water pressure in the water system.
According to the Mayor’s relesase, there is still time to protect pipes. The city recommends insulating exposed pipes by wrapping them with foam, rubber or fiberglass sleeves. Rags or newspaper can also be used by wrapping the pipes with at least an inch of those materials, then by covering them with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to keep them dry.