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Isaias expected to strengthen to near Category 3 strength 

Watches are in effect from Louisiana to Florida.

News

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tropical Storm Isaias" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/10/06/invest92l-gulf-forecast-hurricane-louisiana-isaias" data-vars-content-id="57637ff6-3850-4f01-ab57-fdd365813cdc" data-vars-headline="Isaias expected to strengthen to near Category 3 strength " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/10/06/invest92l-gulf-forecast-hurricane-louisiana-isaias" target="_self">Tropical Storm Isaias</a> is rapidly strengthening in the Gulf and is expected to be nearly a Category 3 hurricane before making landfall this weekend near the Alabama-Florida state line.Why it matters: Hurricane and tropical storm watches are in effect from Louisiana to Florida.

New Orleans' distinctive Eiffel Tower building hits the market

Its current tenant, the Nieux Society, is looking for a new location.

One of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="e96819f4-84f6-4f3c-9cc6-8744c2c52723" data-vars-headline="New Orleans&#x27; distinctive Eiffel Tower building hits the market" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" target="_self">New Orleans</a>&#x27; most recognizable buildings is back on the market. The big picture: The distinctive building at 2040 St. Charles Ave. is made of 11,000 pieces of the Eiffel Tower&#x27;s former restaurant, according to a 1986 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New York Times article" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/1986/12/10/garden/new-orleans-s-eiffel-tower.html" data-vars-content-id="e96819f4-84f6-4f3c-9cc6-8744c2c52723" data-vars-headline="New Orleans&#x27; distinctive Eiffel Tower building hits the market" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/1986/12/10/garden/new-orleans-s-eiffel-tower.html" target="_blank">New York Times article</a>, which opened 562 feet above Paris in 1937.

Map: Louisiana's planned data centers

The projects are primarily in North Louisiana.

Business

Louisiana&#x27;s planned data centers are expected to have 9,431 MW capacity, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="records" data-vars-click-url="https://cleanview.co/data-centers/us" data-vars-content-id="20e555a0-1e60-459e-bb81-6cea432c28cd" data-vars-headline="Map: Louisiana&#x27;s planned data centers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cleanview.co/data-centers/us" target="_blank">records</a> analyzed by market intelligence company Cleanview.Why it matters: That would give Louisiana the 13th most capacity among states with data centers, Cleanview&#x27;s data show.

Hurricane Isaias forms, expected to rapidly intensify in Gulf

Landfall is forecast overnight Friday near the Alabama-Florida state line.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hurricane Isaias" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/10/07/tropical-storm-isaias-hurricane-strength-track-louisiana" data-vars-content-id="8b6ee3ff-e530-494d-a2b2-faf5b9616f5d" data-vars-headline="Hurricane Isaias forms, expected to rapidly intensify in Gulf" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/10/07/tropical-storm-isaias-hurricane-strength-track-louisiana" target="_self">Hurricane Isaias</a> is expected to rapidly intensify in the Gulf and become nearly a Category 3 storm before making landfall late Friday near the Alabama-Florida state line.Why it matters: New Orleans is now outside the storm&#x27;s cone, but NHC says residents from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle should monitor Isaias closely.

Hurricane Isaias strengthens to Category 2 storm in Gulf

Life-threatening storm surge is forecast.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hurricane Isaias" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/10/08/hurricane-isaias-forms-rapidly-intensify" data-vars-content-id="5a43b648-1509-4351-a31e-ff457ea7d01f" data-vars-headline="Hurricane Isaias strengthens to Category 2 storm in Gulf" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/10/08/hurricane-isaias-forms-rapidly-intensify" target="_self">Hurricane Isaias</a> strengthened to a powerful Category 2 storm Thursday on its track toward the Gulf Coast, the National Hurricane Center says.Why it matters: It&#x27;s expected to bring destructive winds and storm surge to parts of Alabama, Florida, Mississippi and Louisiana.

Gulf system expected to become season's first hurricane

Residents from Louisiana to Florida should be on alert.

A tropical depression in the Gulf is expected to become the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first hurricane" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/09/15/hurricane-season-atlantic-historic-no-storms" data-vars-content-id="72644985-cee6-4036-8698-0bb41da9e928" data-vars-headline="Gulf system expected to become season&#x27;s first hurricane" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/09/15/hurricane-season-atlantic-historic-no-storms" target="_self">first hurricane</a> of the Atlantic season.Why it matters: It could bring heavy rain, gusty winds and coastal flooding to the Gulf Coast, but it&#x27;s too early to tell how much <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="72644985-cee6-4036-8698-0bb41da9e928" data-vars-headline="Gulf system expected to become season&#x27;s first hurricane" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" target="_self">New Orleans</a> could see.

New Orleans will be among the last places in U.S. to see fall foliage

It'll be weeks before we get colorful leaves.

The leaves are changing. Just not in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="ca2d8de3-2743-475f-884b-49d6708e1710" data-vars-headline="New Orleans will be among the last places in U.S. to see fall foliage" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" target="_self">New Orleans</a>.The big picture: Peak foliage is expected to sweep south over the next several weeks, according to a map on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Explore Fall" data-vars-click-url="https://www.explorefall.com/fall-foliage-map" data-vars-content-id="ca2d8de3-2743-475f-884b-49d6708e1710" data-vars-headline="New Orleans will be among the last places in U.S. to see fall foliage" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.explorefall.com/fall-foliage-map" target="_blank">Explore Fall</a>.

Coastal restoration efforts are working — but not fast enough

New research shows what works for protecting the coastline.

Climate

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Louisiana&#x27;s coastal restoration efforts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/06/24/climate-migration-sea-level-change-louisiana-relocating" data-vars-content-id="da5bffb5-5f78-4ebe-8874-bcbe568de890" data-vars-headline="Coastal restoration efforts are working — but not fast enough" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/06/24/climate-migration-sea-level-change-louisiana-relocating" target="_self">Louisiana&#x27;s coastal restoration efforts</a> from 1984 to 2025 built or saved about 153 square miles of land, according to new research cited by The Times-Picayune.Why it matters: It&#x27;s proof the state&#x27;s mitigation efforts are working, even if the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rate of land loss" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/12/03/louisiana-map-shrinking-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="da5bffb5-5f78-4ebe-8874-bcbe568de890" data-vars-headline="Coastal restoration efforts are working — but not fast enough" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/12/03/louisiana-map-shrinking-climate-change" target="_self">rate of land loss</a> is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="only getting faster" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/02/15/new-sea-level-rise-forecast-warns-increasing-flooding" data-vars-content-id="da5bffb5-5f78-4ebe-8874-bcbe568de890" data-vars-headline="Coastal restoration efforts are working — but not fast enough" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/02/15/new-sea-level-rise-forecast-warns-increasing-flooding" target="_self">only getting faster</a>.

How NOLA Ready became New Orleans' emergency megaphone 

About 250,000 people get the emergency texts.

Buzz. Avoid this intersection because of a building collapse. Buzz. The West Bank is under a boil water advisory. Buzz buzz buzz.Why it matters: NOLA Ready has become one of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="feae901f-630d-4953-b851-9e55428c6e15" data-vars-headline="How NOLA Ready became New Orleans&#x27; emergency megaphone " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" target="_self">New Orleans</a>&#x27; most powerful tools for reaching residents directly, and the city keeps finding new uses for it.

2026 is a historic hurricane season for all the right reasons (so far)

It only takes one to break the record — and cause damage.

This season is breaking at least one record: This is the longest the Atlantic as gone without a recorded <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hurricane" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/05/04/how-to-prep-for-hurricane-season-2026" data-vars-content-id="b2d0675a-c467-4951-8dd6-8a7d81a0417c" data-vars-headline="2026 is a historic hurricane season for all the right reasons (so far)" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/05/04/how-to-prep-for-hurricane-season-2026" target="_self">hurricane</a>.Why it matters: That&#x27;s some news we can get behind.

How NOMA protects its art from New Orleans' harsh climate 

Heat, humidity, rain and critters can cause art to age faster.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="ba071374-6428-4c20-95ae-4f565914ff7f" data-vars-headline="How NOMA protects its art from New Orleans&#x27; harsh climate " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" target="_self">New Orleans</a>&#x27; climate is constantly trying to destroy NOMA&#x27;s art, forcing conservators to fight back with wax, air-conditioning and a lot of preventive care.Why it matters: South Louisiana&#x27;s heat, humidity, rain and critters can cause art to age faster, requiring more maintenance than visitors might realize.

My favorite tools for surviving New Orleans' brutal summer

Hats, fans and disposable cooling wipes FTW.

Anyone else in New Orleans melting this <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="summer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/08/14/heat-wave-extreme-weather-growing-toll" data-vars-content-id="b6456801-350b-4a48-a300-2aca1d643d44" data-vars-headline="My favorite tools for surviving New Orleans&#x27; brutal summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/08/14/heat-wave-extreme-weather-growing-toll" target="_self">summer</a>? I&#x27;ve been testing some new tools to stay cool when I have to go outside.Why it matters: The heat index has been <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="around 115°" data-vars-click-url="https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=LAZ077&amp;warncounty=LAC071&amp;firewxzone=LAZ077&amp;local_place1=3%20Miles%20NNW%20Gretna%20LA&amp;product1=Heat+Advisory&amp;lat=29.9546&amp;lon=-90.0751" data-vars-content-id="b6456801-350b-4a48-a300-2aca1d643d44" data-vars-headline="My favorite tools for surviving New Orleans&#x27; brutal summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=LAZ077&amp;warncounty=LAC071&amp;firewxzone=LAZ077&amp;local_place1=3%20Miles%20NNW%20Gretna%20LA&amp;product1=Heat+Advisory&amp;lat=29.9546&amp;lon=-90.0751" target="_blank">around 115°</a> the past few days, making it important to take precautions.

Climate 🌿

Hurricane Isaias strengthens to Category 2 storm in Gulf

Hurricane Isaias forms, expected to rapidly intensify in Gulf

Isaias expected to strengthen to near Category 3 strength

Gulf system expected to become season's first hurricane

New Orleans will be among the last places in U.S. to see fall foliage