There are many risk factors for those who return to New Orleans at this time. Mayor Ray Nagin urged elderly residents, small children and people with special medical needs not to return to the city yet.

People who return to the city should be self-sufficient as there are few grocery stores, gas stations or other facilities open.

77,000 Entergy customers remain without electricity in New Orleans.

Local hospitals are operating by using backup systems for electrical services and have limited staffing and capacity.

The Sewerage and Water Board and city government buildings are using backup power systems.

The airport is not open at this time.

The City remains under a mandatory evacuation. At 12:01 a.m. Thursday, the mandatory evacuation order will be rescinded and replaced by a voluntary evacuation.

The City remains under a curfew from dusk until dawn.