As the New Orleans Metro area and surrounding parishes will be under another dense fog advisory this evening (November 8, 2023) into the morning hours tomorrow (November 9, 2023), the NOPD is working with multiple local, area and state entities to prepare for low visibility conditions. This includes areas that have seen a combination of marsh fire smoke and fog in recent days, in particular in the eastern area of New Orleans.
The NOPD is joined in this effort by the New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (NOHSEP) and state Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), as well as with our law enforcement partners at Louisiana State Police (LSP), St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office, Slidell Police Department, Jefferson Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness and Sheriff's Office, St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office, Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Police Department and Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office.
As such, the NOPD will again be deploying extra traffic units and additional patrol officers in these areas to closely monitor conditions overnight and keep roadways safe. In addition, LSP will have units on hand. DOTD will also have units out monitoring road conditions beginning at 3:30 a.m. on November 9. Barricades and extra flares are also being positioned for use, out of an abundance of caution. If needed, sections of interstate and other heavily traveled roads in the affected area may be closed as a safety precaution. Neighboring parishes will also monitor routes in their respective jurisdictions that lead into the affected areas or serve as alternate routes in the case of closures.
The NOPD asks that commuters, businesses and schools consider later start times tomorrow morning, in order to allow time for visibility to improve in affected areas, or to avoid the affected areas altogether if possible. This includes drivers within Orleans Parish, those who may commute from locations outside of Orleans Parish and those who may drive on roadways that span bodies of water.
The public is also advised to follow these safety tips while driving on interstates or highways in low visibility conditions:
• Practice personal responsibility when it comes to driving in areas where conditions may lead to low visibility. If you do not feel comfortable driving in such conditions consider alternate routes, delaying your travel or avoiding the area altogether to deter traffic buildup.
• Such conditions can occur rapidly and without warning, causing hazardous driving situations. If you are driving and encounter low to no visibility, report it by calling 911.
• Slow down if visibility worsens. Exit the interstate at the nearest exit ramp if possible and wait until conditions clear.
• Limit distractions and keep your eyes on the road at all times.
• Turn off the automatic settings on your vehicle's headlights, turning them to the 'on' position.
• Do not drive with your vehicle's hazard lights or high beams on.
• As a last resort, pull over to the shoulder of the roadway. Do not stop in the middle of the road.
The public is urged to stay up to date with weather and driving conditions by monitoring NOPD alerts and social media, NOLA Ready alerts and social media, traffic reporting and local media coverage. To sign up for NOLA Ready alerts, visit https://ready.nola.gov/stay-connected/emergency-alerts/.
Have a question or correction? Please email NOPD’s Public Affairs Division at nopdpio@nola.gov.