News Summary
New Orleans is undergoing recovery efforts after severe weather brought strong winds and heavy rainfall, causing extensive damage, power outages, and flooding across the region. High winds uprooted trees, damaged properties, and left thousands without electricity. Local authorities continue to manage the aftermath as residents face renewed flooding risks amidst ongoing weather alerts and repair efforts.
New Orleans is currently recovering from severe weather that has caused significant wind damage and widespread power outages across the region. A severe weather alert was issued early Tuesday morning, with wind gusts expected to reach up to 60 mph, prompting local officials to warn residents of the potential hazards.
The high winds were responsible for multiple incidents throughout the area. In the 3200 block of St. Ferdinand Street in New Orleans’ Desire neighborhood, straight-line winds uprooted a large oak tree that fell onto Michael Gilbert’s property. Gilbert was at work when he received a call from his wife reporting the damage, which affected his roof and fence and also struck one of his vehicles. Neighbors noted that the tree had been marked for removal due to its deteriorating condition, infested with termites, and many had voiced their concerns over it for years.
In Uptown New Orleans, high winds caused downed power lines at the intersection of Marengo and Annunciation streets, prompting Entergy to de-energize the line for safety and repair. Additionally, the winds wreaked havoc in Arabi, St. Bernard Parish, where at least nine trees and three power poles were reported downed. One of the fallen power poles landed on a house on Angela Street, causing residents to hear a loud crash as it fell.
Winds were not the only concern, as heavy rainfall also contributed to flooding across several streets in the New Orleans metro area. Significant water accumulation was noted on Earhart Boulevard beneath U.S. 90, Canal Boulevard in Navarre, and in various neighborhoods including Mid-City, the Marigny, Algiers, and the 7th Ward. The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for the metro area that is expected to remain in effect through Thursday evening, due to anticipated further heavy rains.
As a result of the severe weather, thousands of residents experienced power outages early Wednesday morning. According to reports, over 10,000 residents in Jefferson Parish were without power, joined by approximately 6,000 in Orleans and about 1,400 in St. Bernard Parish, as per Entergy’s outage maps. As rainfall totals accumulated throughout the day, amounts varied dramatically, with most areas receiving between one to three inches. Metairie experienced a heavier downpour, registering an outlier total of 4.56 inches.
The region is facing renewed flash flood risks, particularly in southeastern Louisiana including New Orleans. Further thunderstorms and showers are predicted to persist throughout the day, with meteorologists advising that morning hours may see the most intense precipitation. This current weather pattern follows a season marked by high rainfall earlier this spring, maintaining concerns for flash flooding across the area.
In summary, the city of New Orleans is assessing the aftermath of severe weather that brought destructive winds, rain, and subsequent flooding, leading to considerable power outages and property damage. Residents are urged to stay updated on weather alerts and safety recommendations from local authorities as recovery efforts begin.
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Additional Resources
- NOLA: Street Flooding in New Orleans
- NY Times: Southern US Storms
- WDSU: New Orleans Weather Forecast
- Google Search: New Orleans severe weather
- Fox Weather: Daily Weather Update
- Wikipedia: Flood
- WDSU: New Orleans Streets Flood
- Google News: New Orleans weather update
