AN emergency declaration has been issued early ahead of the Super Bowl after the terrorist attack in New Orleans.
The city in Louisiana will host the NFL’s showpiece season finale on Sunday, February 9.
EPANew Orleans was hit by a terror attack on New Year’s Day[/caption]
GettyThe Superdome is due to host the Super Bowl on February 9[/caption]
But New Orleans was the target of a terror attack which left at least 10 people dead in the early hours of New Year’s Day.
A driver rammed a pickup truck into crowds on Bourbon Street at 3.15 am local time.
The incident is being investigated as terrorism by the FBI.
There were immediate concerns over the staging of the Sugar Bowl later on New Year’s Day.
The Superdome was scheduled to stage the College Football Playoff quarterfinal between Notre Dame and Georgia on Wednesday night.
But that game was postponed for at least 24 hours, authorities confirmed.
And attention also turned to the Super Bowl in little over a month’s time at the same stadium.
Authorities announced at a press conference Wednesday that preparations for the Super Bowl have been altered in the wake of the attack.
“We have been drawing and working very diligently to address concerns for the Super Bowl since October,” Governor Jeff Landry announced.
“In preparation for the Super Bowl, I had intended to issue an emergency declaration tomorrow so that we could bring all of our federal, state and local agencies in preparation.
“But because of the events today, I have amended that emergency declaration and issued it today.
“That will allow our federal, state and local partners to bring in all of the resources necessary to get this city safe.”
The Superdome was placed on lockdown as authorities swept it on Wednesday.
Notre Dame and Georgia players were forced to shelter at their hotels during the day with nobody allowed in the stadium.
And the decision was taken to move the game to Thursday, after the emergency declaration is in place.
ReutersNew Orleans has issued an emergency declaration ahead of the Super Bowl[/caption]
GettyThe Superdome has hosted the Super Bowl seven times before[/caption]
“The Sugar Bowl Committee is devastated by the terrible events from early this morning,” Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley said.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families.
“We are in ongoing discussions with authorities on the local, state, and federal levels and will communicate further details as they become available.”
New Orleans will host the Super Bowl for the 11th time next month.
The Superdome has staged the game seven times – the last of which was in 2013.
https://www.the-sun.com/sport/13197308/super-bowl-update-security-new-orleans-terror-attack/