Residents in 13 parishes that experienced hurricane-force winds are eligible for the Blue Roof Program. Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise says it’s a free service through the U-S Army Corps of Engineers that provides homeowners in disaster areas with a fiber-reinforced sheeting to cover their damaged roofs…
cut 14 (11) “…roof fixed”
Interested residents can sign up at blue-roof-dot-us or call 1-888-766-3258.

Local, state and congressional leaders surveyed hurricane Ida’s damage by air Wednesday, and Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng admits until she took to the air to view the entire devastation, she didn’t grasp the magnitude of Ida’s wrath.
Cut 7 (07) “…communities.”
President Biden will visit southeast Louisiana tomorrow to see the damage first-hand.

As of last night, the Louisiana Public Service Commission reports 959-thousand customers are without power. That’s 54-percent of the state’s utility customers. 99-percent of the customers are in the dark in Terrebonne Parish. Parish President Gordon Dove says once the power is restored, Terrebonne’s recovery from Ida can begin in earnest…
cut 6 (09) “….in Terrebonne Parish”
State leaders and Louisiana’s Congressional delegation are also working on getting more fuel into southeast Louisiana.

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry has deployed its mobile pet shelter and animal transport task force to help shelter and care for pets. The mobile pet shelter went to LaPlace to help out storm victims that do not have a place for their pet for the time being and Strain says his office is also assisting livestock owners affected by Ida relocate their animals…
cut 12 (08) “….reaching out”

Hit hard by Hurricane Ida, Terrebonne Parish hits the road to recovery with a positive outlook. Kevin Gallagher has more…

Cut 1 (30) “…Gallagher reporting.”

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President Biden will be visiting the state on Friday and Governor Edwards believes it’s crucial so the president can understand the magnitude of destruction. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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With Hurricane Ida causing historical damage in the Bayou State, FEMA’s Blue Roof Program is back. More from Dave Brannen.

 Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Dave Brannen.” 

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Among the state’s areas hardest hit by Hurricane Ida, Terrebonne Parish is struggling to get back to some level of normalcy. Parish President Gordon Dove says he’s pleased the damage to homes and businesses wasn’t worse.

Cut 4 (11) “…with water.”

Dove says first responders performed their jobs very well, and not one fatality was reported in Terrebonne. He says despite massive amounts of wind damage and fallen trees, Terrebonne will recover and rebuild. He says the main concerns right now are health care and electricity

Cut 5 (06) “…of course utilities”

Dove says once the power is restored, Terrebonne’s recovery from Ida can begin in earnest…

Cut 6 (09) “…in Terrebonne Parish.”

Dove remains upbeat about Terrebonne’s future.

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Local, state, and congressional leaders surveyed hurricane Ida’s damage by air Wednesday, and Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng admits until she took to the air to view the entire devastation, she didn’t grasp the magnitude of Ida’s wrath.

Cut 7 (07) “…communities.”

President Biden will visit the state on Friday to view damage left by Hurricane Ida. Governor Edwards says the President has already approved his request for a major federal disaster declaration. This means for the first 30 days after landfall the federal government’s cost-share will be 100-percent for debris removal and emergency protective measures.

Cut 8 (11) “…quickly.” 

As for power restoration in New Orleans, Edwards says some areas of the city received electricity Wednesday, which is welcome news after previous estimates of up to three weeks of no lights.

Cut 9 (08) “…coming days.”

Edwards says among his request to the president is a permanent housing program to begin as soon as possible for southeast and southwest Louisiana.

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The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry has been assisting pet owners who were forced to evacuate by offering mobile pet shelters. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says the department has also enlisted their animal transport task force, in conjunction with other state agencies to help with pet rescues.

Cut 10 (11) “…their pets.” 

Pet owners who have smaller pets were given pet carriers so they could take their pets with them when they evacuated. Strain says they have three Critical Need Shelters in place to assist evacuees until they are able to take their pets with them

Cut 11 (05) “…those pets.”

Strain says they’ve also assisted livestock owners that were affected by Ida in relocating their animals to safer ground.

Cut 12 (08) “…reaching.”  

During Hurricane Katrina many pet owners were not given the option to take their pets with them to a shelter, the Department of Ag created mobile shelters to give pet owners an option.

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FEMA’s Blue Roof Program is back, and according to Governor John Bel Edwards, it’s the quickest the agency has implemented the plan to help folks with hurricane-damaged roofs in Louisiana. Edwards says if you sustained roof damage, you should take advantage of the program.

Cut 13 (11) “…assistance.”

One exception to getting a Blue Roof installed is that the home must be “liveable” if the roof is fixed, not those that have suffered substantial damage. For more information about the program visit blueroof.us. Congressman Steve Scalise says the program is a way to get your roof properly protected.

Cut 14 (11) “…roof fixed.”

And Scalise says the importance of still having a habitable home with a Blue Roof is an absolutely necessity.

Cut 15 (11)“…up and running.”

The Blue Roof program is only for permanently occupied residences and rental property with damage of less than 50 percent. Some roofs won’t qualify such as those that are flat or made of metal and in all cases, storm debris has to be removed prior to a Blue Roof being installed.

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Graduate transfer Austin Kendall will start at quarterback when Louisiana Tech meets Mississippi State in Starkville on Saturday. Coach Skip Holtz says he’s been impressed with how Kendall has operated the offense

Cut  16 (14) “…great job.”

Holtz wants to see his players execute the game plan….

Cut 17 (17) “…high level.”  

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After spending the week in Houston, LSU leaves today for Los Angeles to continue preparations for Saturday’s season opener against UCLA. Coach Ed Orgeron says Houston has treated them well…

Cut 18 (18)”…very impressive.”

Orgeron says by staying in Houston before the game, it’s been like bowl week preparations. UCLA already has a game under its belt. They walloped Hawaii 44 to 10 on Saturday. Orgeron says UCLA’s defense looks much improved…

Cut 19 (12)  “…speed too.” 

Orgeron announced that freshman wide receiver Malik Nabers will not play as he’s out with a shoulder injury. But Coach O says many of the guys that were hurt during preseason camp are ready to go for Saturday and have been practicing this week

Cut 20 (19)  “…about that.” 

The damage reports from Grand Isle are extremely dire after Jefferson Parish officials visited what was once the state’s only habitable barrier island before Hurricane Ida. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (38) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

At a press conference today Governor Edwards says his first priority to discuss with the president this Friday is the need to give residents in both southeast and southwest Louisiana permanent housing after Hurricanes Laura and Ida.

Power restoration is underway in New Orleans after the Crescent City was left completely in the dark Sunday after Ida made her way onshore. By midday 11,500 Orleans Parish customers had power restored. Entergy Louisiana President and CEO Philip May says this is a first step in getting the power back on, May noting it’s a huge first step…

Cut 8 (12) “..Terrebonne Parish”

Finding fuel is a difficult task in southeast Louisiana as many stations are out and there are long lines at stations that do have fuel. Ascension Parish Sheriff Bobby Webre says the local refineries that usually supply his agency and surrounding gas stations with fuel are not at the moment…

Cut 9 (13) “..we are” 

Progress IS being made in efforts to get the lights back on. Dave Brannen has the details…:

CUT 02  (32)        “I’m Dave Brannen”

The State Health Department has confirmed two children have died from COVID-19. One child was under 4 years of age, the other between 12 and 17. In total, 13 children younger than 18 have died of COVID in Louisiana.

Reports out of Grand Isle are catastrophic. Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng says she’s received dismal news from site visits to the barrier island…:

CUT 03  (13)        “are damaged”

Finding fuel is indeed a difficult task in the wake of Hurricane Ida. Long lines at stations are spawning conflicts between anxious and angry storm survivors; seeking to refuel their generators. In Ascension Parish, Sheriff Bobby Webre says local refineries usually serviced the need, but if they cannot provide it may be necessary to look elsewhere…:

CUT 11  (06)        “other refineries”

Grim continues to be an on-point description of the situation on Grand Isle following Hurricane Ida. Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng indicates a catastrophe occurred on the barrier island.
Cut 3 (13) “…are damaged.”
The usually inhabited island has few people on it today, including the mayor, police chief and first responders. Communication systems on the island were non-existent at last word. However, Sheng says efforts are underway to set up a form of communication so that information can be relayed to the residents of Grand Isle.
meantime, according to Jefferson Parish Councilman, Ricky Templet 15 breaches occurred in the Burrito Levee that needs to be fixed immediately given the hurricane season is at its peak and has months to go.

The sheriff of Ascension Parish says finding gasoline remains a difficult task for drivers. Many stations’ fuel tanks are dry, while there are long lines of vehicles at those stations that do have gas. Sheriff Bobby Webre says the local refineries are at last word not supplying his agency and the parish’s gas stations.
Cut 9 (13) “…we are.”
Webere says he’s in the dark so far about why local refineries aren’t up and running, but believes it may be due to company protocols. Webre says he can’t remember such a fuel shortage unless you go back to Hurricane Andrew…and that was 29 years ago. congressman Garrett Graves says he’s discussed the situation with the White House.
Cut 14 (11) “…sources of energy.”
President Biden is scheduled to tour Louisiana on Friday, but details of his visit have not been released.

Once the state’s only habitable barrier island, Grand Isle in Jefferson Parish took the full brunt of Hurricane Ida’s landfall. Now damage reports coming in are dire. More from Brooke Thorington…:

CUT 01  (38)        “…Thorington”

President Biden will tour areas damaged by Ida this week. He’ll arrive Friday to see for himself what the storm has done and to check on recovery efforts. More details on Biden’s visit will be released as they become available.

Power is slowly being restored in the city of New Orleans. Entergy President and CEO Deanna Rodriguez says over 11-thousand have had their electricity restored, and that number is increasing…:

CUT 07  (11)        “…Fire Department”

Still, about 44-percent of the state’s utility customers remain without power.

Congressman Garret Graves says southeast Louisiana took a brutal hit from Hurricane Ida. Graves’ district extends down into Thibodaux and lower Terrebonne Parish, and he says the destruction is frightening…:

CUT 12  (14)        “…and trees”

Fuel shortages continue to a problem for folks running generators and awaiting the juice to come on.

Progress is being made to get the lights back on in Louisiana, Dave Brannen has the details.

Cut 2 (32)…I’m Dave Brannen.”  

President Joe Biden will tour southeast Louisiana on Friday to see damage and recovery efforts from Hurricane Ida. Senator Bill Cassidy released a statement thanking Biden for the upcoming visit and said, “We know for the bitter experience with Hurricane Laura that aid can be delayed too long,” Cassidy says he plans to ask the president again for supplemental aid to be delivered for southwest Louisiana and expedited for southeast Louisiana.

Jefferson Parish Director of Fire Services Bryn Adams wants to discourage any sightseers from visiting Grand Isle because it hinders their response. Without power and water and 100-percent of structures damaged the island is uninhabitable. Adams says it will be several years before the island recovers.

Cut 5 (09) “…to where it was so.”

Jefferson parish remains under a 6 pm to 6 am curfew.

Finding fuel is a difficult task in southeast Louisiana as many stations are out and there are long lines at stations that do have fuel. Ascension Parish Sheriff Bobby Webre says he can’t get answers on why local refineries are not up and running. He imagines they have to follow certain protocols

Cut 10 (12)     this storm” 

The reports out of Grand Isle are catastrophic, officials say the barrier island is uninhabitable. Jefferson Parish Councilman Ricky Templet says they’ve found 15 breaches in Burrito Levee that need to be addressed immediately because we are at the height of hurricane season. Despite the total devastation of Grand Isle, Templet says there is some bright news.

Cut 4 (12) “…all of this” 

Power is slowly being restored in New Orleans. Entergy President and CEO Deanna Rodriquez says the partial restoration took place at one this morning with the repair of a transmission line from Slidell…

Cut 6 (14) “… New Orleans east” 

More than 11,500 Orleans Parish customers had the lights back on by mid-morning today

Finding fuel is a difficult task in southeast Louisiana as many stations are out and there are long lines at stations that do have fuel. Ascension Parish Sheriff Bobby Webre says the local refineries that usually supply his agency and surrounding gas stations with fuel are not at the moment…

Cut 9 (13) “..we are” 

Webre says he can’t get answers on why local refineries are not up and running.

The New Orleans Saints will play their season opener in Jacksonville, Florida on September 12^th against the Green Bay Packers. The Sunday afternoon game has been moved to Florida due to Hurricane Ida.

The state reports 12,380 new COVID-19, the number includes cases from the weekend, and this week, there was a delay in reporting due to Ida. 223 deaths were also reported over the extended period.

The reports out of Grand Isle are catastrophic. Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng says she’s received dismal news from site visits of the barrier island, which was the state’s only habitable barrier island.

Cut 3 (13) “…are damaged.”

Sheng says they will be setting up a system to relay information to the residents of Grand Isle who she knows are anxious to receive word.

Fuel shortages are also a problem in Louisiana as Ida has created production and distribution issues. Congressman Garret Graves says power is not the only issue refineries are facing and it’s a topic he’s discussed with the White House…

Cut 14 (11) “…sources of energy”

Hurricane Ida has disrupted the production of oil and gas and the great demand for fuel is causing long lines around gas stations. Gas Buddy’s Senior Petroleum Analyst, Patrick DeHaan, says prices could increase 5 to 15 cents over the next two weeks…

cut 5 (11) “…several weeks”
Hammond officials say the city is out of gasoline and Ascension Parish leaders are begging for fuel trucks to re-fill their gas pumps.

Louisiana has received approval from the federal government to allow food stamp recipients to purchase hot food products for immediate consumption. DCFS Assistant Secretary of Family Support Shavana Howard…
Cut 10 (11) “…corner store.”
Howard says waving the restriction is vital because many residents are displaced

More images and video is coming in that’s showing the widespread destruction from Hurricane Ida. Jefferson Parish officials say Grand Isle is uninhabitable and will be that way for some time. Captain Brennan Matherne with the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s office says every structure that he’s seen has suffered some sort of damage…
cut 8 (11) “…house to house”

Meanwhile, the Saints are looking at spending the next month of the season, possibly in Dallas, as they wait for power and other basic utility to return to the New Orleans area. Coach Sean Payton says there are a lot of pluses in being displaced in north Texas…
cut 14 (13) “…hosting us”
General Manager Mickey Loomis says an announcement could be made today on where the season opener will be played.

Gas shortages are plaguing the state and with a number of refineries not up and running after Ida, prices at the pump are expected to rise. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Officials have been concerned about generator use with so many individuals without power. New Orleans EM says seven kids and five adults were brought to the hospital after getting carbon monoxide poisoning. Heat will be an issue again today as there’s a heat advisory in effect statewide today and tomorrow.