There’s the possibility of another named storm in the Gulf of Mexico this week. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says the National Hurricane Center is watching a disorganized area of low pressure in the western Caribbean that has a medium chance of developing into at least a tropical depression. There’s the possibility of this potential storm following a similar path as Hurricane Helene, but Keim says it’s way too early to tell.
Cut 7 (12) “…all over the place.”
Speaking of Helene, the Louisiana Fire Service has been mobilized to support rescue and recovery operations in South Carolina following that storm. Baton Rouge Fire Chief Mike Kimble says teams with the Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal have thoroughly built a robust unit to support emergency responses nationwide.
A young child is killed in a crash in Claiborne Parish. Trooper Eddie Thomas says 31-year-old Jordan Burton of Homer drove her SUV across the center line on Highway 146, crashing into a pickup, killing a five-year-old and seriously injuring a ten-year-old. Thomas says impairment appears to be a factor.
Thomas says neither child was properly restrained; Thomas says had they been properly restrained, the five-year-old likely would have survived.
Nearly every Louisianian is waiting with baited breath on potential word of a special session on insurance reform. Representative Gabe Firment, the chairman of the House Insurance Committee, cautions that it’s not as easy as the legislature telling insurance carriers to lower their rates – the only way that can happen is by having companies offer competitive quotes – and he says the way to do that is to make Louisiana a more attractive state to do business.