NEW ORLEANS — Here’s an advisory you don’t see every day: New Orleans has shut down its transit system because of snow.
All trolley and bus operations were suspended as of 11 p.m. Monday night, and no services will operate today (Jan. 21), the New Orleans Regional Transportation Authority reports on its website. The suspension was subsequently extended through Wednesday, Jan. 22.
A winter storm warning from the National Weather Service is calling for 3 to 7 inches of snow today, as well as a “light glaze” of ice. The warning urges people to stay indoors until conditions approve and suggests delaying all travel.
Amtrak had previously cancelled the City of New Orleans from Chicago on Monday, and to and from New Orleans today (although the southbound train will operate from Chicago to Memphis), and from New Orleans to Memphis on Wednesday, Jan. 22. The westbound Sunset Limited from New Orleans has also been cancelled for Jan. 22.
— Updated on Jan. 22 at 7:55 a.m. with extension of RTA suspension, additional Amtrak cancellation.
It’s climate change, ya’ll.
We had 12″ of snow here yesterday. The previous record was 2.83″ in 1963.
No one has gone anywhere for two days. There’s simply not enough snow equipment like plows, and no stocks of salt. I-10 was shut down all across Louisiana. The bridge over the Lake was closed, as was the Crescent City Connection to the west bank. It was incredibly dangerous to be out. When I walked the dog this morning I saw 2 cars in my neighborhood. That’s perhaps 5% of normal. It was a huge mess. Today the temp got up to about 37 and some of it melted. We expect it to mostly melt tomorrow when it gets back up into the 40s.
Hopefully the Crescent #20 can leave NOL Friday. That should be possible if the crew can get to NOL from Meridian and the local maintenance crew can do whatever is needed for the required daily inspections. Then of course the CNO departure. One departure might be delayed if not enough personnel available.
Snow in New Orleans ?
It must be “Climate Change ….” (!)
the RTD shutdown is understandable. Can you imagine riding in a bus with a driver who has so much snow driving experience? Bus on any road ramps? YIKES!! As far as the streetcars. Noticed there that the trolly poles made very slight contact with the trolly wire which has some sag in places. Not enough to strip off the ice on the wires with contact sliders.
As far as Sunset and CNO 2 – 5 inches as of 1500h most parishes shutting roads. no way for crews and station employees to get to stations. Since Crescent is cancelled M – TH for maintenance no change there. Expect that the bus runs did not go.