The Port of New Orleans announced an update regarding its operations ahead of the severe weather currently associated with Tropical Storm Barry. Namely, the Port decided to apply several measures in order to prepare for the storm.
Namely, the Port Administration Building will be closed for all non-essential personnel from Thursday, July 11, 2019 and Friday, July 12, 2019 in order to prepare for any possible severe weather. It should reopen on Monday, July 15, 2019 with regular schedules.
[smlsubform prepend=”GET THE SAFETY4SEA IN YOUR INBOX!” showname=false emailtxt=”” emailholder=”Enter your email address” showsubmit=true submittxt=”Submit” jsthanks=false thankyou=”Thank you for subscribing to our mailing list”]
Moreover, the Flood Authority started closing all MRL floodgates on July 10, 2019. The Henderson St. (EB 30) floodgate will remain open until July 11, 2019, while Felicity St. (EB 23) floodgate will remain open until July 11, 2019 at the earliest at 4 p.m.
Cargo operations
Because of the Mississippi River floodgate closures, the Port of New Orleans will be closed on Friday, July 12.
Moreover, regarding New Orleans Public Belt Railroad, business will close on July 11, 2019, with NOPB will annuling all jobs and shutting down operations until Monday, July 15, 2019.
Cruise operations
Carnival Valor, which was planned to sail a 4-day cruise to Mexico on Thursday, July 11, 2019 from New Orleans, is diverting to Mobile, Ala. Carnival Valor, and will now dock at the Port of Mobile Thursday morning, July 11. Carnival will also provide complimentary bus transportation for all guests from Mobile to the New Orleans cruise terminal. Those who have bought airport transfers will be taken directly to the airport in Mobile.
Carnival Valor’s next cruise, a four-day voyage to Cozumel departing Thursday, on July 11, 2019, will operate from the Port of Mobile. Carnival will provide complimentary bus transfers for all guests from the Port of New Orleans to Mobile.
Inner Harbor Navigation Canal
The Flood Protection Authority closed all IHNC floodgates on July 10, 2019 starting at 6 p.m. NOPB is winding down IHNC operations as the floodgates close. Access to IHNC will be limited until the storm has passed, and the Flood Protection Authority starts to reopen floodgates.
Bridge operations
Bridge curfews have been suspended on the St. Claude Avenue Bridge over the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal (IHNC) to enable marine traffic to exit the canal as necessary. Because of the floodgates at the Florida Avenue Bridge being closed by the Flood Protection Authority, the Florida Avenue Bridge is closed to vehicular traffic, staying open to marine traffic.
