Uptown, the area near Loyola & Tulane, was one of the least damaged areas of the city. I lived there for a while 2 years ago and even then, uptown was mostly operational. Since then, the St. Charles trolley line has started running again (I think all lines throughout the city are running now). Weather in New Orleans is hot and humid in the summer. And spring. And most of the fall. Then there is a mild winter with occasional cold stretches. I loved living in New Orleans and would recommend it to anybody.