Tropical Storm Nate: Mandatory And Voluntary Evacuations, Curfews

NEW ORLEANS, LA — Several parishes New Orleans area are under mandatory evacuation orders as now Hurricane Nate spins toward the Gulf Coast. The storm gathered strength over the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea and is expected to make landfall Saturday night or early Sunday morning as a Category 1 storm.

The city of New Orleans said Friday that it has issued a mandatory evacuation order Venetian Isles, Lake Catherine and Irish Bayou. Residents must evacuate the area by noon Saturday, Oct. 7. The National Weather Service has advised that the majority of the serious effects and storm surge will likely occur overnight Saturday. Considering overnight impact, Mayor Mitch Landrieu instituted a mandatory curfew that will begin Saturday evening at 7 p.m. and end Sunday morning after the storm has passed.

Evacuation orders are also in place in the following areas:

Jefferson Parish: Lafitte and Grand Isle are both under mandatory evacuation, and a voluntary evacuation order has been issued for the Barataria, Crown Point and areas outside of the levee protection system.

Lafourche Parish: The area south of the Leon Theriot floodgates in Golden Meadow, Leesville and Port Fouchon are under mandatory evacuation.

Plaquemines Parish: The eat bank of Plaquemines Parish and all areas outside the levee protection system are under mandatory evacuation. Residents living south of the Alliance Refinery on the west bank are also under mandatory evacuation at 8 a.m. Saturday.

St. Bernard Parish: Residents outside of the levee protection system were ordered to leave Thursday.

St. John Parish: The area north of the Interstate 55 off-ramp at LaPlace, including Frenier, Peavine and Manchac, are under mandatory evacuation.

Terrebonne Parish: A voluntary evacuation order begins at noon Saturday for all residents outside or south of the Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District Morganza to the Gulf levee system

The public is asked to shelter in place throughout the duration of the tropical weather. Those traveling to and from work or essential safety personnel will be allowed to travel on the streets as long as it is safe to do so. The city said weather conditions may make it impossible for first responders to answer emergency calls. Also, public transit operations will cease once winds exceed 35 mph for rider safety.

Starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday, residents are allowed to park on the neutral ground and sidewalks, as long as vehicles do not block intersections, streetcar tracks or travel lanes, until further notice. From 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. tomorrow, there will be no parking on Canal Street on both sides from Rendon Street to Clark Street and on Jefferson Davis Parkway on both sides from Cleveland Avenue to Iberville Street. The Department of Public Works will be towing cars parked in these areas during this time.

Residents should prepare to shelter in place with essential supplies including food, water, and medications.
As always during Hurricane Season, residents are reminded to make a plan and to have at least three days’ worth of supplies, including water, food, and medications on hand. T

The City’s Emergency Operation Center has been activated and all departments and agencies continue to execute their emergency plans.

Water flows through an engorged river caused by the heavy rains brought by Tropical Storm Nate, on the outskirts of San Jose, Costa Rica, Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. Nate gained force as it sped toward Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula Friday after drenching Central America in rain that was blamed for at least 21 deaths. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)