NEW ORLEANS (AP) — With the looming threat of a powerful storm system, officials in New Orleans scrambled to adjust plans for Mardi Gras celebrations and cautioned attendees against carrying umbrellas and setting up tents. The storm, expected to bring tornadoes and severe weather to Louisiana and other Southern regions on Tuesday, prompted the city to reschedule its major Mardi Gras Day parades and shorten their routes in an effort to avoid potential hazards.
In response to the alarming forecast, New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick emphasized the need for swift action, aiming to ensure that the parades conclude before the predicted increase in wind speeds. This weather event marks a significant challenge for the National Weather Service following recent staff reductions, leading to concerns about the potential impact on public safety.
Across the country, various weather threats were on the horizon, including dust storms affecting visibility in parts of New Mexico and west Texas. The weather service issued Dust Storm Warnings, anticipating widespread blowing dust in the area on Tuesday. Additionally, a potent weather system was projected to bring blizzard conditions, high winds, flash flooding, and other severe conditions to the central United States.
As the storm system progressed towards Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, the Storm Prediction Center issued warnings for possible tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail. A heightened risk of severe weather was pinpointed in a region with over 7 million residents, encompassing cities like Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Jackson, and Mobile.
Despite the impending severe weather, New Orleans remained determined to uphold its Mardi Gras traditions, albeit with modifications to ensure safety. Parade attendees were advised against bringing items that could become hazardous in strong winds, with the possibility of last-minute parade cancellations depending on weather conditions. While some parades were postponed in neighboring areas like Jefferson Parish, the primary focus remained on safeguarding the well-being of the community amid the unpredictable weather conditions.
The weather forecast predicted gusts of up to 60 mph (97 kph) on Tuesday afternoon. In Pointe Coupee Parish, near Louisiana’s capital city of Baton Rouge, the approaching weather conditions necessitated significant modifications to one of the state’s oldest Mardi Gras celebrations. The parade in that area had been planned to proceed without the usual accompaniment of bands, marching teams, or dance groups, which are typically mainstays of Carnival Season parades. Authorities also advanced the parade’s start time and advised residents to promptly dismantle all tents and clear away any trash following the event, citing potential hazards they could pose during inclement weather.
In other regions, a large turnout was anticipated for Mardi Gras festivities in Mobile, Alabama on Tuesday. Local police indicated that they were keeping a close eye on the weather forecast and would inform the public if any changes to the celebration plans were necessary. Similarly, in Biloxi, Mississippi, an annual Mardi Gras parade was slated to commence at 1 p.m. on Tuesday. Meanwhile, in downtown Pensacola in the Florida Panhandle, event organizers were preparing for a Mardi Gras celebration reminiscent of New Orleans, featuring food trucks, dancing, live performances, and a traditional low country seafood boil.
Reporting on this story, Martin was based in Atlanta, with contributions from Associated Press writers Sara Cline in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Freida Frisaro in Miami, and Susan Montoya Bryan in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
