Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry is asking the public’s help as he investigates the deaths of nursing home residents evacuated to a warehouse in Tangipahoa Parish for Hurricane Ida. Six patients died; their deaths are listed as “Ida-related”, but Landry asks anyone with information on the facility or what happened to come forward. Meanwhile LDH has revoked the licenses of the seven nursing homes involved and has terminated their Medicaid agreements. More as it develops.

The state Public Service Commission says over 430-thousand homes and businesses are without power. Power is out for at least 95-percent of Terrebonne, Lafourche, St. Charles, and St. John Parishes. But Entergy Louisiana President Phillip May says electricity IS flowing again in LaPlace..:

CUT 09(08)       “..progress”

Still he says it could be month’s end before ALL power is back on.

Lafourche Parish is continuing to struggle to get its power back on and communications back to some semblance of normal.  More from Dave Brannen…:

CUT 01  ((38)      “Brannen”

FEMA will begin installing the familiar Blue Roof tarps for some 35-thousand homes who’ve applied for them. GOHSEP says don’t delay in applying for one if you suspect your roof may have been compromised. Go online at Disaster Assistance.gov.

Nine days after Hurricane Ida made land fall and the state’s Public Service Commission says over 430-thousand customers are still without power. Jeff Palermo reports…:

CUT 02  (30)        “…Jeff Palermo”

If you’ve found yourself spending more money than usual because of Hurricane Ida, chances are FEMA can reimburse you. The federal agency will consider claims for up to $800 for generators and up to $250 for chainsaws. You can also get a $500 check to cover food, water, prescription drugs and evacuation expenses. Look online at Disaster Assistance.gov.

Power is still out for all of Lafourche Parish.  That’s the word this morning from Sheriff’s Captain Brennen Matherne.

CUT 03(12)        “spotty at best”

Matherne says a widespread problem with low water pressure has been largely fixed, but not parish wide. He also reports some looting arrests and about 50 other charges, including curfew violations.

Over 35-thousand residents of South Louisiana have applied with FEMA for a large tarp, to cover roof damage from the weather. Mike Steele, with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness, says some homeowners have done a good job protecting their roof with a tarp, but contacting FEMA gives you a better chance of less leaks while awaiting your roof repairs…:

CUT 13  (08)       “of this program”

Call 800-321-FEMA or online at DisasterAssistance.gov

Over 35-thousand residents of South Louisiana have applied with FEMA for a large tarp, to cover roof damage from the weather. Mike Steele, with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness, says amateurs are already putting tarps up, but he advises applying for the profession help…:

CUT 12  (08)        “the right way”

FEMA will begin installing the Blue Roof tarps tomorrow. If you need a tarp for your damaged roof, go to DisasterAssistance.gov or call 800-321-FEMA

The state Department of health reports two more Hurricane Ida-related deaths; both in St. Tammany Parish. One man fell off his roof while affecting repairs. The other died from lack of oxygen during a long period with no power. This brings the total Ida deaths to 15 in Louisiana.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission says over 430-thousand homes and businesses are without power. Power is out for at least 95-percent of the customers in Terrebonne, Lafourche, St. Charles, and St. John Parishes. But Entergy Louisiana President Phillip May says electricity is flowing again in LaPlace

CUT 09  (12)        “…progress”

The average price per gallon for regular gas in the Bayou State stands at $2.88. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says prices are starting to stabilize but meeting demand is still a huge hurdle. He says it could take about a month to get refining and distribution back up to normal…:

CUT 08(12)      “..really healthy”

Some stations have abundant fuel, but no power yet with which to pump it.

President Joe Biden was in Louisiana today to personally see the destruction left by Hurricane Ida. Biden took and aerial tour of southeast Louisiana parishes hit hardest by the storm. Biden says, though it will take billion to rebuild, the feds have the state’s back. He says this is why passing the proposed Infrastructure Bill is important, so the state can build back better…:

CUT 10  (10)        “…better way”

Encouraging news for residents powered by Entergy. The utility says they expect to make big progress over the weekend in restoring power; especially to customers in New Orleans. Entergy Louisiana CEO Phillip Mays…:

CUT 14  (11)        “…been made”

FEMA approves Transitional Sheltering Assistance for residents who evacuated for Hurricane Ida and have been staying in hotels or motels. FEMA spokesman Nate Custer says your first step to qualify for money to offset your hotel bill is to register with FEMA, by calling 800-621-3362 or go online to DisasterAssistance.gov…:

CUT 06  (12)        “transitional assistance”

The assistance is approved for evacuees who wound up most anywhere in the Gulf South.

Despite the heartache and devastation wrought by Hurricane Ida, thousands of LSU fans have left for Los Angeles to see the Fighting Tigers play UCLA in the Rose Bowl tomorrow night. Sports travel maven Jim Dumigan says he organized a charter flight to L.A. that left Thursday from Baton Rouge…:

CUT 15  (12)        “…especially one.”

Days after Hurricane Ida has moved on and we’re still seeing long lines at few stations with gas available. The primary problem is the very few stations with power ON, so they can pump gas…but many are running out. Exxon Baton Rouge spokesperson Stephanie Cargile says they have thousands of barrels of gas at their terminal. The problem is too few trucks to deliver it…:

CUT 22  (04)        “available”

Cargile says Exxon is reaching out to partners out-of-state to get more fuel trucks in to deliver the much-needed fuel.

Entergy says power should start coming back on soon for much of metro New Orleans; perhaps as soon as Wednesday. On Monday, Entergy had over 950-thousand customers without power. Today it’s below 700-k. Entergy VP of Distribution John Hawkins says the damage done to their grid is enormous…:

CUT 13  (12)        “…this storm”

President Joe Biden is in Louisiana this afternoon; surveying Hurricane Ida’s massive damage for himself. Mr. Biden says the federal government stand with Louisiana as it rebuilds..:

CUT        (09)        “gets done”

Biden says the hurricane recovery is an example of why Congress needs to pass an extensive infrastructure bill so that the state can build back better

Damage assessments from parishes like Jefferson, Lafourche and Terrebonne give testament to how powerful Hurricane Ida was. Houma state representative Tanner Magee says Terrebonne residents returning home need to steel themselves for what they’ll face…:

CUT 05  (12)        “…sweat a lot”

Ida is the 5^th strongest hurricane to ever hit the U.S.

Entergy announces preliminary times when power will be restored. Jeff Palermo shares the good news…:

CUT 02  (31)        “…I’m Jeff Palermo’

President Joe Biden is in Louisiana to personally see the destruction wrought by Hurricane Ida. Air Force One landed in New Orleans and the President is expected to head to St. John Parish and make a public statement from there sometime soon. Then he’ll do a flyover tour of areas hardest hit by the storm.

As Hurricane Ida damage assessments continue to come in, the sheer power of the storm becomes apparent. Houma area state Representative Tanner McGee says property damage in Terrebonne Parish is extensive…:

CUT 04  (09)        “…completely damaged”

Ida is the 5^th most powerful hurricane to ever hit the U.S.

FEMA approves Transitional Shelter Assistance (also called TSA) for those displaced by Hurricane Ida. Spokesman Nate Custer says evacuees need to locate their own hotel or motel, and the assistance only covers room expenses…:

CUT 08  (09)        “…so forth”

To see if you’re eligible call 800-621-3362 or online at DisasterAssistance.gov

Entergy says they’re working hard to provide the public with estimated power restoration times. Jeff Palermo has more…:

CUT 01  (38)        “…Jeff Palermo”

The state Department of Health reports that four elderly people have died after being evacuated from their nursing homes in the path of Hurricane Ida to a facility in Tangipahoa Parish. No identities have been released, nor have causes of death been confirmed. LDH says they were concerned about the facility, but were refused a full assessment.

President Joe Biden will be IN Louisiana tomorrow, to see Hurricane Ida’s destruction for himself. Speaking earlier today, Biden addressed stories that property insurers may deny coverage for additional assistance if the homeowner wasn’t under mandatory evacuation. He urges carriers to NOT use technicalities to duck their responsibilities…:

CUT 14  (14)        “…so fast”

Caddo Parish deputies arrest a 57-year-old man accused of numerous child sex charges. He is Clemon Hanson, Sr. and his alleged crimes date back decades. Caddo Detective Chris Ardoin says his victims are numerous and may extend into other parishes as well. Caddo Sheriff’s spokesperson Cindy Chadwick…:

CUT 10  (08)        “…Detective Ardoin”

Hanson’s crimes date back to the 1980’s, when he allegedly raped a 12-year-old.

Officials with Entergy say their Hurricane Ida damage assessments will be finished today, which will allow them to give customers an estimated time for power restoration, Entergy Louisiana President Phillip May says returning the juice to critical infrastructure is a priority, and that includes hotels and motels that are housing over 25-thousand linemen working to get the lights back on…:

CUT 05  (06)        ”…to recover”

May says thousands of Entergy customers should see their lights coming back on soon.

The state has set up a website for residents affected by Hurricane Ida to find updates, information and resources to recover from the storm. The website, HurricaneRecovery.la.gov, has links to resources, information on road closures, links to register for FEMA Disaster Assistance and pre-register for DSNAP benefits. It also has updates from the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP).

President Joe Biden gave an update today on how the federal government is assisting Louisiana’s recovery from Hurricane Ida. The President says the F-A-A and the Pentagon will put their resources to work to help…:

CUT 13  (13)        “…the parishes”

The president will be in Louisiana tomorrow.

Lack of gasoline for cars and generators continues to plague storm-stricken residents. Governor John Bel Edwards says as many as eight refineries were down in Louisiana earlier this week, which added insult to injury…:

CUT 06  (10)        “brought in”

The Governor has implored Washington to help get fuel brought in from out-of-state.

Hurricane Ida recovery efforts are being hampered by the lack of available gasoline and power for gas pumps in southeast Louisiana. Brooke Thorington has more from the Governor…:

CUT 02  (30)        “…Thorington”

The state Department of Health reports four seniors have died after being evacuated to a facility in Tangipahoa Parish. The persons were brought out of areas in the hurricane’s strongest path. Definitive causes of death have NOT yet been established. LDH expressed concerns about conditions at the Tangipahoa facility.

A 57-year-old Keithville man is being held on $900-thousand bond for an array of child sex charges. Caddo Parish sheriff’s spokesperson Cindy Chadwick say Clemon Hanson, Sr.’s crimes date back decades…:

CUT 09  (10)        “… years or so”

Charges against Hanson include aggravated rape of a 12-year-old when he was 19. Chadwick says there may be even more victims and she urges them to come forward.

Back to Hurricane Ida recovery. Entergy says damage assessments will wrap up today, which will allow them to give customers better estimates on getting power back on. Entergy Louisiana President Phil May says they’re making progress in coastal parishes that were spared the worst Ida had to offer..:

CUT 04  (12)        “…like this”

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”