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The two generators keeping electricity running in Morgan City are not running. Mayor Tim Matte doesn't know what caused the generators at the steam plant in Morgan City to trip. The city was alrea… Click to Read More and see additional updates

The two generators keeping electricity running in Morgan City are not running. Mayor Tim Matte doesn't know what caused the generators at the steam plant in Morgan City to trip. The city was already working on getting a reserve transformer up and running. They were going to slowly bring it online, but now they're just going to connect it. The work is still a couple hours away from being completed. The generators were brought online last week after a transformer caught fire and exploded at the steam plant. The entire city, about 6,000 people, were without power for about a day.

Power has been fully restored to the entire city of Morgan City. Both units at the steam plant are running, said Mayor Tim Matte. Last night, Unit 4 was the only unit running, and the city was forced to have rolling blackouts as demand increased this morning. Since Unit 3 was brought online this morning, rolling blackouts are no longer necessary to save energy. As of around 11:00, all circuits were up and running and there is enough capacity to handle the load, said Matte.

There's still more work to be done. Crews are installing a new transformer to replace the one that blew up. Once it's installed and running, it'll allow the city to take power off the grid.

Morgan City residents are doing what they can to stay out of the heat while the city continues to try and get the power back on. The transformer that failed caused the 6000 residents of the city to lose power all at once.

The city has opened up its Municipal Auditorium during the day to give people a place to get out of the heat.

"We are trying to keep people cool by giving them a place to come in this heat," Action Agency CEO Almetra Franklin said.

They are also they are giving free rides to people in the city. Those who are elderly and families with young children can call the city and ask for transportation to one of the shelters; or to a family members house in the surrounding areas. The city is prepared to do more if the power is not back on soon.

"I imagine if this thing is a little bit longer than anticipated we'll see some other things unfold. Later on if we have to provide food or water we'll coordinate that," Franklin said.

Mayor Tim Matte said power will be restored this evening. Electricity has been fully restored to Teche Regional Medical Center. To avoid overloading the system, the city is turning on one circuit at a time. Electrical problems have not been reported in areas of the city where power has been restored.

Special Needs Shelter at Berwick Civic Center will close at 5 pm today. Morgan City Auditorium will close at 6 pm today. Teche Regional Hospital will remain open.

MORGAN CITY, LA, June 27, 2012 - An explosion in Morgan City last night has left thousands of residents without power. The American Red Cross Southeast Louisiana Chapter is preparing to help when needed and offers residents of the affected area steps to take to ensure their well-being. Red Cross Southeast Louisiana Chapter volunteers remain on alert, ready to provide emergency assistance. Red Cross volunteers and staff are trained and ready to operate shelters and to provide care if needed.

If your home has lost power, there are things you can do to help ensure your safety until the power is back on. For prolonged power outages, there are steps residents can take to minimize food loss and to keep all members of the household as comfortable as possible in the extreme heat.

The Red Cross has steps people should follow to help ensure their safety in the heat as the power outage continues:

People should stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids even if they aren't thirsty. Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol.

During the heat, it's best to eat small meals and eat more often.

Avoid extreme temperature changes.

Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Avoid dark colors because they absorb the sun's rays.

Slow down, stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise.

Postpone outdoor games and activities.

Use a buddy system when working in excessive heat.

If someone must work outdoors, they should take frequent breaks.

Check on family, friends and neighbors, who spend much of their time alone or who are more likely to be affected by the heat.

Check on your animals frequently to ensure that they are not suffering from the heat.

What should I do during a power outage?

Keep food as safe as possible.

· Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. First use perishable food from the refrigerator. An unopened refrigerator will keep foods cold for about 4 hours.

· Then use food from the freezer. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed.

· Use your non-perishable foods and staples after using food from the refrigerator and freezer.

· If it looks like the power outage will continue beyond a day, prepare a cooler with ice for your freezer items.

· Keep food in a dry, cool spot and keep it covered at all times.

Electrical equipment

· Do not use candles for lighting. Use flashlights only.

· Turn off and unplug all unnecessary electrical equipment, including sensitive electronics.

· Turn off or disconnect any appliances (like stoves), equipment or electronics you were using when the power went out.

· When power comes back on, surges or spikes can damage equipment.

· Leave one light turned on so you'll know when the power comes back on.

· Eliminate unnecessary travel, especially by car. Traffic lights are out and roads will be congested.

Using generators safely.

· When using a portable generator, connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator. Do not connect a portable generator to a home's electrical system.

· If you are considering getting a generator, get advice from a professional, such as an electrician. Make sure that the generator you purchase is rated for the power that you think you will need.

What should I do when the power comes back on?

· Do not touch any electrical power lines and keep your family away from them. Report downed power lines to the appropriate officials in your area.

Throw out unsafe food.

· Throw away any food that has been exposed to temperatures 40° F (4° C) for 2 hours or more or that has an unusual odor, color or texture. When in doubt, throw it out!

· Never taste food or rely on appearance or odor to determine its safety. Some foods may look and smell fine, but if they have been at room temperature too long, bacteria causing food-borne illnesses can start growing quickly. Some types of bacteria produce toxins that cannot be destroyed by cooking.

· If food in the freezer is colder than 40° F and has ice crystals on it, you can refreeze it.

· If you are not sure food is cold enough, take its temperature with the food thermometer.

· Throw out any foods (meat, poultry, fish, eggs and leftovers) that have been exposed to temperatures higher than 40° F (4° C) for 2 hours or more, and any food that has an unusual odor, color or texture, or feels warm to touch.

Caution: Carbon Monoxide Kills.

· Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace or any partially enclosed area. Locate unit away from doors, windows and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors.

· The primary hazards to avoid when using alternate sources for electricity, heating or cooking are carbon monoxide poisoning, electric shock and fire.

· Install carbon monoxide alarms in central locations on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas to provide early warning of accumulating carbon monoxide.

· If the carbon monoxide alarm sounds, move quickly to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door.

· Call for help from the fresh air location and remain there until emergency personnel arrive to assist you

More Power Outage Tips: http://rdcrss.org/OwYhPJ

More Heat Safety Tips: http://rdcrss.org/OxclsE

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization - not a government agency - and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

A few places have opened their doors to help people get out of the heat since power is out in Morgan City.

St. Bernadette in Bayou Vista is offering M.C. residents without power a place to come and get out of the heat. They are asking that you please bring anything you may need.

The Morgan City Municipal Auditorium will be open until 6:00 tonight. Water and food will not be provided. Anyone who needs transportation to the auditorium, should call St. Mary Community Action Agency 337-828-5703.

The Berwick Civic Center is available for only medical special needs patients needing power for breathing machine, life support, Kidney machines, etc. This Center is not open to public. Please bring sleeping bag, pillow, & water or any necessities. This is only for medical purposes only.

Also the City of Morgan City is still asking to conserve water. Residents should check on your elderly neighbors.

According to Superintendent Donald Aguillard, the following adjustments are due to the power outage:

* Summer Remediation testing at the Morgan City Junior High School scheduled for today is cancelled.
* Morgan City Jr High summer school location has been moved to Berwick Jr High beginning Thursday June 28th through Tuesday July 3rd.
* Morgan City area buses will continue to run regular routes, but students will be delivered to the BJHS location.
* Parents can drive students to the BJHS location if needed.
* These changes do not impact any other summer school sites.

The St. Mary Community Action at the Bayou Vista Community Center will be serving lunch for children 18 and under, regardless of income, from 11:30a to 12:30p. This is part of an ongoing program that will last until July 20th.

Picture: A few people find relief at the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium.

Morgan City residents are still without power after a fire and explosion yesterday at the city's power plant. Crews are working around the clock to restore power to the city. According to the City of Morgan City's facebook page, the fire took out the main entry point of electricity to the city, and efforts last night to get one of the steam units operating failed. Since efforts failed on unit 3, crews are trying to get unit 4 online, which is capable of carrying an overnight load for the entire city but not the day load for all electric customers. "The city has been following a simultaneous track of removing the burnt transformer and replacing it with a back up transformer," said Mayor Tim Matte. To re-establish the connection with Cleco and restore power, the city will have to remove the bad transformer and install a new one.

KATC has updated information about the explosion at the Joseph J. Cefalu Senior Municipal Steam Plant in Morgan City. The explosion happened right before 6:00 Tuesday evening. The plant was evacuated and no one was injured; however the steam plant does provide electricity for the 6,000 people within the entire city.

Now that firefighters have extinguished the flames, the problem is getting the power back on. The city is trying several options to do that. The first is to bring in diesel generators to get the steam plant up and running. They're also testing a back up generator at the plant to see if that will work. The final option is to bring a mobile transmitter to supply the city with power while crews try to restore the steam plant.

The mayor has declared a state of emergency, and a dusk till dawn curfew is also in place. The city's hospital is working on back up generators for now, but may transport patients out if needed. Meanwhile residents have no lights and no air conditioning. The mayor says the best case scenario is that power could be restored by early morning. Worst case is that it won't be up and running until tomorrow night. The city is also asking people to conserve water because the power plant helps to supply water to the city. They also used a lot of water to put out the blaze.

Since so much water was used to put out a plant fire in Morgan City, the city is asking residents conserve water.

The fire at the Joseph J. Cefalu Sr Municipal Steam plant in Morgan City is out. There was at least one explosion at the plant, and the area of Railroad Ave. and Myrtle Street is blocked off. We don't have an accurate count of the number of people without power, but the majority of the city is affected. Off duty Morgan City officers are working and patrolling the city, and St. Mary Parish Sheriff's deputies are helping. Police ask people to stay away from the scene. The area of Railroad Ave. and Myrtle St. is blocked off.

No one was injured when an explosion happened at the power plant in Morgan City around 6:00. An electrical grid caught fire and caused an explosion, sais Morgan City Police Capt. Mike Marino. All employees were evacuated, and the area of Railroad Ave. and Myrtle St. is blocked off. The majority of the city is without power. Firefighters are on the scene.

Breaking news in St. Mary Parish... reports of a fire at a power plant in Morgan City. Officers and firefighters are en route. No word on any injuries.