National Weather Service launches local emergency response desk

The National Weather Service’s New Orleans/Baton Rouge office has launched a new 24/7 emergency response desk, which includes a team of meteorologists and hydrologists to provide forecasts, warnings and support services during severe weather situations and other disasters. Part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Weather-Ready Nation initiative, these emergency mobile weather and water forecasters will work alongside emergency managers to enhance preparedness efforts in the central Gulf Coast region. The forecast office’s new emergency response desk is the first of its kind. In addition to the desk, the forecasters will employ an emergency response vehicle: a 38-foot trailer equipped with a high-speed communications link and a full weather forecasting suite. The New Orleans/Baton Rouge forecast office, located in Slidell, serves 2.9 million people in 22 parishes in Louisiana and eight Mississippi counties. A hazardous weather outlook encompassing much of the state today does not include East Baton Rouge, Livingston or Ascension parishes, though showers are likely today and throughout much of the week.