As Hurricane Francine continues to weaken, the number of customers plunged into darkness continues to rise. At last check, there are almost 240-thousand customers across the state without electricity. Obviously, nearly all of them are those in the path of Francine. That includes more than 51-thousand in New Orleans, which is experiencing heavy rains and high winds with the eyewall scraping the city.

Entergy Louisiana CEO Phillip May says manpower is more than quadrupled, and they’re ready to get to work.

Cut 26 (10) “…take several days.”

As for where Francine stands right now, maximum sustained winds are now down to 75 miles an hour. That’s barely above hurricane threshold. The center of the eye is located about 50 miles west-southwest of New Orleans, and it continues to move northeast at 17 miles an hour. 

The mayor of Morgan City says the scene in his city was surreal. Mayor Lee Dragna says Francine plunged his city completely in the dark.

Cut 4 (10) “…trees are down.”

In fact, Dragna says when he took a drive into town to see the scene for himself, he had to turn around because too much debris was hitting his truck. So he returned home and noticed considerable damage at his place, including his fence being completely gone.

Governor Landry authorized the activation of up to 25-hundred National Guardsmen to help in the aftermath of Francine.

Cut 13 (09)  “…this great state.”

Colonel Jennifer Mumme (“mummy”) says the guard has resources available to help with  search and rescue, as well as logistics, including things like tarps, bottled water and meals ready to eat.