Heavy winds headed for New Orleans on Fat Tuesday appear poised to cancel two of the city's climactic Carnival events, the Zulu and Rex parades, after officials said they would stop the parades from rolling if the forecast worsened.
Officials had already decided Monday to have the parades roll early, follow shorter routes and have pared-down "elements" — no marching bands and walking crews allowed — to account for pelting winds in Tuesday morning's projected nasty weather.
As New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick briefed reporters on the changing plans Monday, she said firmly that she would cancel the parades entirely if the National Weather Service upgraded its forecast from a high wind "watch" to a "warning."
"If the NWS forecast changes from a 'watch' to a 'warning,' I will cancel the parade no matter what time it is," Kirkpatrick said.
A reporter pointed out that the federal agency had done so before Kirkpatrick finished delivering her remarks, and the superintendent swiftly left to confer with aides about how to proceed.
During the press conference, the superintendent said the weather forecast had created a limited stretch of time Tuesday morning in which the parades could safely roll — and that that period could grow smaller depending on changes in the forecast.
She asked parade-goers to follow updated safety measures, including a ban on a slew of popular parade props that risk blowing away and harming spectators. Banned items include umbrellas, tents and portable chairs.
By late-morning, parade goers will be asked to clear the route, she said.
"At 11:30, you're out of here," Kirkpatrick said.
As of 5:30 p.m. Monday, the New Orleans Police Department had not issued an update on Fat Tuesday plans.
