NEW ORLEANS, LA (August 24, 2008) – Although Fay is now history in terms of hitting New Orleans as a major tropic storm, it appears that New Orleans might be getting some Fay-related bad weather.

On Sunday morning, the City of New Orleans released this following news release, the “Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (NOHSEP) has been advised by the regional National Weather Service office and the Storm Prediction Center that there is a risk of strong to locally severe thunderstorms beginning as early as this afternoon.

Rainfall totals from these storms are estimated at between 4 to 6 inches with the possibility of isolated areas receiving higher totals. Due to the slow speed of this system, a risk of flash flooding exists, especially along roads and in low lying areas.  In addition to the heavy rainfall, there is also a slight risk of damaging wind gusts.

NOHSEP will be monitoring this potential threat and recommends that citizens stay informed about the threat by listening to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radio, commercial radio, and television for the latest watches and warnings.

The City of New Orleans Department of Public Work strongly encourages all citizens to clean the catch basins, gutters, and drainage ditches along their properties in preparation of the inclement weather prediction and to prevent heavy rain from flooding city streets.

Citizen should listen for the following:

*          SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH: Severe thunderstorms are possible in

            your area.

*          SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING: Severe thunderstorms are occurring.

Citizens should do the following before the possible threat of a storm:

·        Develop a plan for you and your family for home, work, school

and when outdoors.

·        Have frequent drills.

·        Know the parish in which you live, and keep a highway map nearby to follow storm movement from weather bulletins.

·        Have a NOAA Weather Radio with a warning alarm tone and battery back-up to receive warnings.

·        Listen to radio and television for information.

·        If planning a trip outdoors, listen to the latest forecasts and take necessary action if threatening weather is possible.

Citizens will not be ticketed for parking on neutral grounds. The City will not be held liable for any damage to private property due to potential flooding or storm related hazards. Parking enforcement will resume or once weather conditions clear up.”