Margaret Orr retires as WDSU's chief meteorologist

The big picture: Orr's praises have been rolling in all week, including a key to the city and a congressional proclamation from U.S. Rep. Troy Carter.

• "We're going to miss you especially when it's gray," the Causeway's digital signs read.

Driving the news: Orr is retiring to spend more time with her grandkids and working in her flower beds, she tells Axios during a walk through her Lakeview garden.

• She's looking forward to digging in the dirt and not having to worry about camera-ready hair.
• "A gardener's work is never done," she says, pulling out a weed and deadheading a flower. Bleu, her 15-year-old border collie, sticks next to her.
• She's an avid swimmer and plans to train for a beginner's triathlon too.

Zoom out: The redheaded "Orracle of New Orleans" has become part of the cultural fabric of city.

• Her fan club founded the Krewe of Barkus, and more of her fans started a tribute subkrewe called the "The Weathergirls" for krewedelusion.
• Muses had a Margaret Orr float, and she rode as the honorary Muse this year.

Orr talked with Axios about her career earlier this month.

On-air moment she would do-over: "Once it's done, it's done. Learn from anything that didn't go well and move on."

Why New Orleans? "Frankly, this is my home. I want to keep everyone safe."

• She's covered 31 hurricanes, including Katrina and Ida.

Advice for working moms: "It's hard. Have faith in yourself. Don't give up. Keep going."

• She says she used to fall asleep in the carpool line after working the morning shift and a school staffer would wake her up to get her three children.

Favorite treat: Bittersweet Confections' chocolate cake.

• "I'm very big on chocolate," she says, taking a sip of her iced coffee from Acorn with Ghiradelli chocolate syrup.

Favorite restaurant: Rosedale is a favorite. The fish tacos at Station 6. Mais Arepas. Acorn Cafe. Taqueria Corona. Flour Moon Bagels. Peche. Lally's praline parfait at Commander's.

• "I like different things for different events."

General life advice: "Never be somebody else. Be yourself. Always try to improve but always be yourself."

The intrigue: WDSU has not announced who will be Orr's successor as chief meteorologist.

What's next: Her final broadcast is 6pm today on WDSU.

• She plans to continue sharing the daily forecast on Facebook, X and Instagram, where she has 100,000 followers.
• "While I want to leave, it's hard to leave. I want to keep people safe. That's been my purpose all these years."