New Orleans Power Outages Leave Thousands in the Dark—Live Maps, Causes & Restoration Timelines

New Orleans residents battled sweltering Memorial Day weekend heat when a sudden, large-scale power outage left more than 100,000 Entergy customers in the dark on Sunday, May 25, 2025. CAUSE: MISO-ORDERED LOAD SHED Entergy Louisiana and Entergy New Orleans say the blackout was triggered by an emergency “load-shed” directive from the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), the regional grid coordinator. The forced, rolling outages were implemented to prevent a wider, longer failure that could have destabilized the Gulf Coast power network. WHO WAS AFFECTED • Up to 52,000 customers in Orleans Parish, including all of Lakeview and parts of Uptown, Mid-City and the French Quarter • 36,000 in Jefferson Parish, notably Metairie and Terrytown • 6,000+ in Plaquemines and St. Bernard parishes Critical events such as the 50th annual Greek Fest were disrupted, and restaurants opened their doors as cooling stations to help neighbors beat 90-degree temperatures. RESTORATION STATUS Entergy reports that power was restored to nearly all customers by late Sunday night, and the MISO load-shed order has been lifted. However, officials warn that additional short, localized outages remain possible if heat-driven demand surges again. HOW TO TRACK OUTAGES & GET ALERTS 1. Check the Entergy outage map at Entergy.com/ViewOutages. 2. Download the free “Entergy” mobile app for real-time restoration ETAs. 3. Text REG to 36778 to enroll in outage SMS alerts. 4. Follow @EntergyNOLA and @EntergyLA on X/Twitter for grid updates. WHAT OFFICIALS ARE SAYING City Council utility chair JP Morrell and Public Service Commissioner Davante Lewis called the notice “minimal” and demanded a full explanation of why New Orleans carried the brunt of the blackout. State regulators are opening an inquiry into MISO’s emergency procedures. STAY SAFE DURING FUTURE OUTAGES • Keep flashlights and extra batteries ready. • Charge phones and portable power banks before peak-demand afternoons. • Store bottled water and non-perishable foods; refrigerators begin warming after four hours without power. • Avoid opening freezers—food stays safe about 48 hours if unopened. • If you rely on medical devices, register with Entergy’s life-support roster and create a backup power plan. LOOKING AHEAD With heat indices already topping 100°F, grid stress isn’t over. Energy experts urge residents to: • Raise thermostats to 78°F or higher when home and 85°F when away. • Run major appliances (laundry, dishwashers) before 10 a.m. or after 8 p.m. • Seal windows and use ceiling fans to improve airflow. Monitoring demand closely, Entergy says it is “working with MISO to bolster capacity and reduce the chance of additional rolling outages.” For the latest, bookmark this page and the Entergy outage map—critical tools as New Orleans moves deeper into hurricane and heat season.