Another round of cold weather is forecast in New Orleans this evening through Saturday morning, triggering the activation of the citywide freeze plan to provide temporary shelter for homeless residents overnight tonight and Friday night. At this point, the forecast does not indicate a hard freeze, meaning the true temperature without factoring in wind chill is not expected to dip below freezing. For that reason, the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) is recommending residents do NOT need to run a faucet as pipes will not be at risk of freezing.

Entergy’s Louisiana customers are again asked to voluntarily reduce their electricity usage, especially between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. this evening.  

This unusual request is due to the demand for electricity potentially exceeding the available generation due to the extreme cold and weather conditions currently impacting our service territory. Current load forecasts are approaching an all-time peak, even greater than those experienced during the polar vortex of January 2019.

Entergy has initiated additional power outages for its customers across its four-state service area. The company is taking this action as directed by our reliability coordinator, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, as a last resort and in order to prevent more extensive, prolonged power outages that could severely affect the reliability of the power grid. The directive includes all of MISO’s south region, spanning from Arkansas to Texas to the Gulf South

Power outages are scattered throughout  New Orleans due to a mandatory request from MISO Energy for Entergy New Orleans to shed power. These rolling outages are expected to last until midnight. Due to cold temperatures and the winter storm across the South, the demand for electricity has reached an all-time high. These rolling outages have been ordered by MISO in order to prevent a more extensive, prolonged power outage

The Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans updates residents on what to do after a hard freeze. As we climb out of freezing temperatures, starting at 9:30 a.m., SWBNO advises residents to discontinue running water from faucets to protect pipes.

The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) is suspending ferry service along the Algiers Point-Canal Street and Lower Algiers-Chalmette ferry routes due to ice on the landing barges. Service will suspend at 6:00 pm tonight until conditions improve to safely resume. 

For the latest service information, visit RTA’s website at www.RTAforward.org, follow @NewOrleansRTA on Twitter and Facebook, or call the Rideline at 504-248-3900. 

Entergy’s Louisiana customers are asked to voluntarily reduce their electricity usage, especially between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. this evening.  

This unusual request is due to the demand for electricity potentially exceeding the available generation due to the extreme cold and weather conditions currently impacting our service territory. Current load forecasts are approaching an all-time peak, even greater than those experienced during the polar vortex of January 2019.

Mayor LaToya Cantrell today joined public safety, infrastructure and public health agencies as well as representatives from the Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans and Entergy New Orleans to update residents on preparations for freezing weather that could compromise city streets and energy and water supplies.

[WATCH: Winter weather preparation press conference]

Today, the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) provided an update on preparations for freezing temperatures and potential impacts.

What Residents Can Do During a Freeze

• When the outdoor temperature approaches 32 degrees, turn on the indoor faucet farthest away from your water meter. Run only one faucet with no more than a trickle or water, about as thin as a standard strand of spaghetti, to minimize the chance of water freezing in your pipes.
• Do not run more than one faucet, and do not run any faucet at full blast. It is unnecessary and can be ...

Areas to the north and west of New Orleans are already seeing the impacts of winter weather this morning, with dangerous road conditions from freezing rain and sleet.

There is still no accumulation forecast for the Metro area, but any water remaining on the roads this afternoon from rain may ice over as temperatures are expected to drop below freezing in the early evening hours. Drivers should be