NEW ORLEANS — Hurricane Zeta, the seventh storm to take aim at Louisiana this year, made landfall along the Southeast Louisiana coast Wednesday afternoon as a Category 2 storm.
Thursday, Oct. 29
Terrebonne Parish has announced an Ice Distribution for residents who do not have power to their homes. Ice can be picked up at the following locations:
- Terrebonne Parish Public Works Yard-1860 Grand Caillou Road
- Houma- Ward 7 Citizens Club 5006 Hwy 56
- Chauvin Montegut Recreation Center 107 Recreation Drive
- Montegut
4:20 PM
393,484 Entergy Customers without power statewide
171,396 Entergy Customers without power in Jefferson Parish
122,265 Entergy Customers without power in Orleans Parish
4:00 PM
Sewerage and Waterboard is working quickly to restore power to pumping stations to prevent any sewer line problems
3:25 PM
"Waste Management announces collection schedule delays due to Hurricane Zeta. Services for its commercial and roll-off customers in the New Orleans area will resume Monday, November 2, safe road conditions permitting."
3:00 PM
Harvey Volunteer Fire Department helps a resident patch up a hole blown in to the side of their home caused by Hurricane Zeta
2:40 PM
RTA is suspending services for the time being
2:20 PM
Entergy has begun the process of restoring power to homes across Southeast Louisiana
1:50 PM
1:30 PM
Orleans
New Orleans Public Schools have cancelled in person and virtual learning for Friday.
NOPD has arrested Dmitri Vychko, 49, and Rhiannon Johnson, 32, on charges of Shoplifting after stealing items from the Dollar General in the 4500 block of Old Gentilly Road , Wednesday night.
PLAQUEMINES PARISH
Sheriff Gerald A. Turlich, Jr. has announced a nightly curfew in Plaquemines Parish effective today from 6pm Thursday - 7am Friday
12:50 PM
Jefferson
Parish President Cynthia Le Sheng surveys an apartment complex destroyed by Hurricane Zeta.
12:00 PM
Residents are asked to remove their cars from the neutral grounds, so that the city can begin the clean up process
11:30 AM
St. Bernard Parish along with Parish officials are enforcing a strict curfew tonight, Thursday - Friday 10 PM - 6 AM, due to extremely dangerous conditions existing throughout the Parish.
11:10 AM
Several St. Tammany Parish Water systems have issued a Precautionary Boil Water Advisory due to experiencing low water pressure: Meadow Lake, Briarwood Water System, Ben Thomas and Alton Water System. Check to see if your area is effected.
10:36 AM
St. Charles Parish provided several updates on services Thursday morning:
- Garbage service is running as scheduled, however road closures may inhibit Pelican Waste from accessing various areas of the parish.
- Planning and Zoning will waive all permit fees for repairs related to Hurricane Zeta damage for the next 30 days.
- Residents should continue to limit non-essential sewerage such as washing dishes, cleaning close and showering. Flushing toilets is ok.
- All recreation activities for today, October 29 are canceled.
- The Registrar of Voters is still collecting drop off ballots at the Courthouse.
10:18 AM
10 AM
There were no locations other than Grand Isle where levees failed in Louisiana, according to Gov. John Bel Edwards.
There were more than half a million power outages in the state at some point after the storm, although that number is expected to go down as power crews repair infrastructure.
9:30 AM
There WAS a back end to the storm last night! According to readings from the National Weather Service's readings, there was a dip in their Lakefront wind readings, but also a sharp jump when the back end of the storm passed over (albeit with no rain).
8:45 AM:
8:42 AM:
8:40 AM: The Causeway has reopened
8:36 AM: City of New Orleans says neutral ground parking will end at Noon Thursday - be sure to move your cars.
8 AM: By morning light, a lot of damage is being revealed.
7:45 AM: Close to half a million without power on north and south shores with Cleco and Entergy. Entergy CEO says he hopes most power restored by end of weekend. Read story, watch interview
7 AM: Almost all schools in metro area either closed or doing virtual learning. Here's the list: /article/weather/hurricane/list-zeta-school-closures/289-691bd4c7-5513-435e-9efe-871c7a2361d7
6:40 AM: Lafourche Parish officials would really like you to stay home today.
6:20 AM: Jefferson Parish has two requests of residents - Stay home and limit use of warm water: Watch or read the story here
6 AM: Where's the power out? Check Entergy map here
Wednesday, Oct. 28
Here's the latest news about the storm. Check back with this page often for the latest news.
8:30 pm
Terrebonne parish-wide curfew ordered because of Hurricane Zeta has been LIFTED effective immediately. The curfew for all areas south of the Morganza levee and gate system remains in effect until further notice.
8:20 pm
Do not touch any downed tree there may be a downed powerline entangled in the leaves.
8:15 pm
New Orleans is reporting one fatality caused by electrocution in the 8200 block of Palm Street.
Jefferson
-The public is asked not to be on the street at night tonight there are multiple downed power lines and debris throughout the parish.
-All Jefferson Parish buildings will close on Thursday.
-Curbside garbage and recycling collection is scheduled to take place on Thursday.
-The Alario Center drive-thru COVID-19 testing site is closed on Thursday.
Jefferson Transit Service will be restored on Thursday as soon as soon as the route has been checked and determined to be safe.
8:00 pm
Hurricane Zeta is now a Category 1 hurricane.
175,469 Entergy customer are without power in Jefferson Parish
154,742 Entergy customer are without power in Orleans Parish
421,652 Entergy customer are without power state wide
7:00 pm
Tree blocking the street in Metairie
6:50 pm
157,272 Entergy customer with out power in Jefferson Parish
116,981 Entergy customer with out power in Orleans Parish
344,581 Entergy customer with out power state wide
6:40 pm
Bellemeade Blvd. in Gretna,Louisiana
5:40 pm
112,585 Entergy customers without power in Jefferson Parish
82,159 Entergy customers without power in Orleans Parish
5:30 pm
Pieces of a trailer in Plaquemines Parish have been blown into the road
5:20 pm
New Orleans is reporting stronger winds and gust and heavy rain
The Causeway is NOW CLOSED due to high winds
A parish wide curfew has been issued for Terrebonne Parish. Effective immediately!
5:10 pm
Power outages happening in Jefferson Parish. Watch out for downed powerlines
4:50 pm
28,466 Entergy customers without power in Jefferson Parish
22,322 Entergy customers without power in Orleans Parish
4,403 Entergy customers without power in Plaquemines Parish
4:40 pm
Hurricane Zeta has made landfall with winds of 110 MPH
4:30 pm
Catholic schools in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux will be closed
All St. Tammany Parish Public schools and offices will remain closed Thursday
4:00 pm
Golden Meadow in Lafourche Parish is really feeling the effects of Hurricane Zeta
3:50 pm
11,743Entergy customers with out power in Jefferson Parish
3,274 Entergy customers with out power in Orleans Parish
3:25 pm
Zeta is showing signs of arrival in St. Tammany Parish
3:00 pm
Weather Expert Alexandra Cranford "Monitoring water levels at stations along the coast... most are showing water level rises of less than 1-2 feet so far. Those levels will likely spike this evening, then fall pretty quickly overnight as the cold front arrives with west winds.
2:40 pm
There are 3 ways to report an outage in your area and if you see a downed tree DO NOT APPROACH! Call 3-1-1 for safe removal.
2:30 pm
Hurricane Zeta is bring the potential for tornados along with it.
2:15 pm
Zeta is gaining strength as it gets closer to land.
1:25 pm
St. Bernard School District school closures will remain in place Thursday, October 29. School officials ask if students have the capabilities to continue distance learning tomorrow to please do so.
1:15 pm
Jefferson
All Jefferson Parish public schools and administration buildings will be closed tomorrow, Thursday, October 29. All school and district activities and events are cancelled.
New Orleans
NOLA Public Schools is canceling all distance learning and in-person classes tomorrow, Thursday, October 29. This includes the closure of NOLA-PS central offices.
1:10 pm
The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch for Jefferson, Lafourche, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Tammany, Terrebonne and Washington until midnight. A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes
1:00 PM
Zeta is now a Category 2 hurricane with winds of 100 MPH. Pressure is down to 975 mph. The storm is strengthening, but it is running out of time to get much stronger. Landfall is a few hours away near Port Fourchon, LA as a Cat. 2. Expect damaging winds.
12:40 PM
St. John the Baptist Parish
There is water on the roadway along the I-55 Service Rd. (Old US 51 Low Road) near the I-55 on-ramp in Laplace to the I-55 off-ramp in Ruddock (Mile Point 1 to Mile Point 8). The roadway is passable at this time.
12:20 PM
Hurricane Zeta is quickly approaching as the winds pick up.
11:45 AM
New Orleans
"It's going to be quick, but it's going to be brutal," says New Orleans Director of Homeland Security Colin Arnold.
City officials are urging everybody to get where they're going and be off the streets by 2 p.m.
"It’s moving fast," said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. "By 2 p.m. you need to be off the streets, and where you are going to ride this out for several hours."
Trump
President Donald Trump has approved the emergency declaration Gov. John Bel Edwards sent to the White House ahead of Hurricane Zeta's landfall.
The emergency declaration opens up access to federal dollars for relief and recovery efforts after the storm, which is expected to bring severe winds.
11:35 AM
Mayor LaToya Cantrell is urging residents to take precautions ahead of Hurricane Zeta's landfall.
Parking restrictions for the neutral ground have been lifted in the city until the storm passes.
Significant impacts will start being felt in the city around 2 p.m. with serious wind threats closer to 5 p.m.
11:15 AM
From our partners at The Times-Picayune | New Orleans Advocate:
10:50 AM
The U.S. Postal Service announced Wednesday that they would be temporarily suspending service to ZIP Codes beginning with 700, 701, 703 and 704.
Despite their motto of "neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom..." stopping the mail, the USPS does sometimes suspend service when natural disasters such as hurricanes could threaten the lives of postal employees working during them.
Postal service in the 700 and 703 ZIP Codes were suspended at 10 a.m.
Service in the 701 ZIP Code will end at noon.
All post office operations in the 704 ZIP Code will end at 1 p.m.
10:25 AM
The eye of Hurricane Zeta is starting to become visible from onshore radar detectors as it speeds north towards Louisiana.
The storm is expected to pass directly over or just east of New Orleans sometime this afternoon.
10:10 AM
Hurricane Zeta is maintaining strength in the Gulf of Mexico. The storm is expected to be a weak Category 2 or a strong Category 1 at landfall south of New Orleans.
The eye of the storm is expected to pass directly over the metro area, meaning winds could decrease for a time in the middle of the storm before whipping back up as the southern wall passes over the area.
9:50 AM
The Gretna City Hall and Clerk of Court's Office will both be closed Wednesday, but officials plan to resume service Thursday morning.
Trash collection in the city is also suspended until Thursday.
9:45 AM
According to the New Orleans International Airport's website, the last flight out of MSY will depart at :146 p.m. The last incoming flight is expected to land at 2:24 p.m.
If you've got a flight scheduled for you or a loved one today, check with the airline and the airport for any changes to the schedule.
9:30 AM
City Park in New Orleans is planning to close at noon ahead of Hurricane Zeta.
9:25 AM
Here are the scheduled press conferences set for Wednesday so far:
9:30 a.m. - St. Bernard Parish
11 a.m. - St. Tammany
11:30 a.m. - New Orleans
1 p.m. - Gov. John Bel Edwards
9:10 AM
New Orleans
The New Orleans RTA will suspend service early because of the faster than expected approach of Hurricane Zeta. All transit services will shut down at 10 a.m. Wednesday until further notice.
The Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority East has also moved up its timeline because of the storm. The flood control agency will begin closing lakefront gates at 10:30 a.m.
Highway 39 will continue with its 10 a.m. closure.
Jefferson Parish
Jefferson Parish will shut down the parish’s public transportation system at 1 p.m. The last bus will leave Canal St. heading back to the Airport at 12:15 p.m.
All trash pickup in the parish will be suspended at noon, and residents with curbside trash are asked to move their cans from the curb after that time.
Oschner
Nonessential Oschner facilities will also close ahead of the storm. Starting at noon, Ochsner Health Centers, Ochsner Urgent Care clinics, Ochsner Therapy & Wellness Centers, Retail Pharmacy and Vision and Fitness Centers will all be closed
All Oschner hospitals and emergency rooms will remain open.
9 AM
Hurricane Zeta is expected to make landfall along the Louisiana coast sometime Wednesday afternoon.
It's a fast-moving storm and is expected to pass through the state by Thursday morning, dumping only a few inches of water in most areas. However, especially with Turbine 4 in New Orleans out of service, street flooding is a possibility and drivers should take caution.
Experts suggest you finish your storm prep by noon and get home to hunker down through the storm. Rain will likely start falling around 11 a.m. with winds picking up throughout the day.
But Zeta is expected to be a wind event more than anything. Winds of 100+ mph are expected in some areas, especially along the coast. Storm surge is also a concern, with several feet of surge expected along the coast and the shore of Lake Pontchartrain.
Right now, most Southeast Louisiana parishes are quiet as residents wake up and begin their final preparations.
WWL-TV will stay on the air on Channel 4 and online here throughout the storm, so stay tuned for the latest coverage.
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