Winter Storm Information Update – 1/20/2025 4:30 PM

PRESS ALERT
CITY OF GRETNA

For Immediate Release

City of Gretna: 504-363-1500
Gretna Water Department 504-363-1540
Please call the Water Department
directly to report any water issues.

CITY OF GRETNA UPDATES: 2025 ARCTIC MASS

January 20, 2025

CLOSURES & CANCELLATIONS

According to the National Weather Service, an extremely cold air mass is expected to reach our area and bring an array of hazardous conditions. This winter storm will impact our area as early as late tonight and last through Wednesday, January 22, 2025.

• All City of Gretna offices will be closed on Tuesday, January 21 and Wednesday, January 22, and are expected to reopen on Thursday, January 23, weather
• Garbage collection will be suspended on Tuesday, January 21 and Wednesday, January 22, and is expected to resume as normal on Thursday, January 23, weather
• Mayor’s Court has been cancelled for the remainder of this week. If you need to speak to someone regarding your court date or ticket, please call and leave a message with the Gretna Clerk of Court office at 504-227-7325, and someone will return your call as soon as they reopen.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

SHELTERS: If you and your pets need a warm place to stay during this weather event, warming shelters are available at Terrytown Playground (641 Heritage Drive, Terrytown) and Ree Alario Special Needs Center (6900 Saints Drive, Metairie). Residents with pets are asked to bring a pet carrier. If you have questions or need transportation to a shelter, please call the Jefferson Parish Emergency Operations Center at 504-349-5360.

ANIMALS: If you see an animal in need of assistance, please call the Jefferson Parish hotline at
504-554-4744.

ENTERGY: Entergy is not anticipating any rolling power outages for this weather event but is activated and stands ready for any power emergencies. They have deployed 1,600 employees throughout the state in the event of any service interruptions. There are ways for residents to help ensure that power is restored as quickly as possible if there is an outage: unplug any appliances not being used and conserve electricity as much as possible.

WATER: The City of Gretna water department recommends residents take precautionary steps to winterize their homes ahead of the upcoming freezing temperatures. If your home has exposed pipes, please use adequate insulation materials to protect them. If your home sits on a concrete slab you have added protection from the elements.

The common practice of letting your faucets run during freezing temperatures can put a strain on the entire water system with such water usage. If you decide to run water inside your home, please only run a stream the size of a pencil tip or a slow, steady drip. Additionally, only run your water when the temperature is below freezing. Once temperatures reach above freezing, running your water is not necessary.

GENERATORS & SPACE HEATERS: If you plan to use a space heater in your home, please make sure that it is not within 3 feet of any combustible material. Also, do not use an extension cord to plug in your heater. In the event we lose power, and you use a generator, please only use it to power essential appliances, not your entire home. Make sure the generator is placed outside and at least 15-20 feet away from your home and your neighbor’s homes, and the exhaust should be faced away from homes. Never fill a generator while it is still hot. Please heed all of these warnings, as generators and space heaters can be very dangerous if not used correctly and can result in a fire and/or medical emergency. Make sure that your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in working order. This is vital to life safety.

The City remains vigilant and stands ready to meet the needs of the community, but we ask that our residents do their due diligence by staying tuned to your local weather authority and by staying off icy roads to avoid dangerous circumstances.

All City emergency services will continue throughout this freeze event. To report City related emergencies, call 504-363-1500. For all other emergencies, dial 911. You may also visit www.gretnala.com or facebook.com/CityOfGretna for additional information and regular updates, as well as the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development website for up- to-date road conditions (www.dotd.la.gov) / 1-877-452- 3683.