New Orleans Quickly Revises Mardi Gras Festivities Amid Storm and Tornado Alerts

NEW ORLEANS—Officials are hastily rearranging Mardi Gras festivities and advising attendees against bringing umbrellas and tents, as Louisiana and other Southern regions are bracing for severe storms with potential tornadoes on Tuesday.

In an effort to dodge the anticipated damaging weather, New Orleans has moved its two largest parades for Mardi Gras Day to earlier in the day and shortened their routes. Police plan to facilitate a swift procession for the hundreds of parade participants and numerous floats to ensure they complete their routes before winds are expected to intensify, as stated by New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick.

This concerning weather forecast serves as one of the initial significant challenges for the National Weather Service following the dismissal of hundreds of forecasters last week, part of President Donald Trump’s efforts to reduce the federal government’s size.

Nation Faces Multiple Weather Threats

The United States is grappling with various weather hazards, including dust storms causing nearly zero visibility in parts of New Mexico and West Texas on Monday, leading the National Weather Service to issue Dust Storm Warnings. On Tuesday, the service warned of “widespread blowing dust” in the Midland and Odessa regions of Texas.

The powerful weather system this week is projected to bring “the risk of blizzard conditions, strong winds, flash flooding, severe weather, dust storms, and critical to extreme fire weather conditions across the country’s heartland,” according to a Monday update from the weather service.

As the storm system moves into Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, the federal Storm Prediction Center warned that tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail are all possible.

The area facing an increased likelihood of severe weather spans from East Texas to Alabama, affecting over 7 million residents. Cities at risk include Baton Rouge and Shreveport in Louisiana, Jackson in Mississippi, and Mobile in Alabama.

New Orleans Prepares for Severe Weather During Mardi Gras

New Orleans is also getting ready for severe storms, although the lively tradition of Fat Tuesday parades filled with floats and costumed revelers is still scheduled to proceed, albeit with some adjustments being finalized by the authorities and leaders of the social clubs known as “krewes” that organize the parades.

Kirkpatrick instructed parade attendees to refrain from bringing umbrellas, tents, or “any items that could become airborne and create chaos.” She cautioned that she might have to call off the parades at the last moment if conditions worsen.

“I possess the authority to cancel, and I will not hesitate to use it—I won’t take that decision lightly, but I will do so if necessary,” she stated.

Additionally, two other parades scheduled for later on Tuesday, which involved nearly 200 truck floats, have been postponed according to Kirkpatrick.

In Jefferson Parish, adjacent to New Orleans, officials have called off planned Mardi Gras Day parades because of anticipated high winds and thunderstorms.

“This is disappointing, but the safety of our community is our foremost priority, and we must always put safety first,” said Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng in a statement.

The National Weather Service has warned that Mardi Gras floats “could become unstable,” and heavy winds might “knock down trees and power lines,” predicting gusts up to 60 mph (97 kph) on Tuesday afternoon.

In Pointe Coupee Parish, close to Baton Rouge, the looming weather necessitated significant changes to one of the state’s oldest Mardi Gras celebrations. The parade in the parish was set to proceed without any bands, marching groups, or dance troupes—a customary element of Carnival Season parades.

Authorities have also adjusted the parade start time and urged residents to promptly clear away all tents and debris following the parade due to the potential risks those present during inclement weather could pose.

Other Cities Hosting Mardi Gras Events Monitoring Weather Conditions

In other locations, large crowds are expected for Mardi Gras festivities in Mobile, Alabama. Local police indicated they are actively monitoring the weather forecast and will inform the public should there be any changes to the celebration plans.

Cities such as Biloxi, Mississippi, also have their annual Mardi Gras parade slated to commence at 1 p.m. on Tuesday.

In downtown Pensacola, Florida, organizers are gearing up for a Big Easy-style Mardi Gras festival featuring food trucks, dancing, live entertainment, and a low country seafood boil.