Utility providers are prepping for yet another hurricane in an area still compromised by Laura just six weeks ago. Brooke Thorington has more.

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Those in the projected path of Hurricane Delta are not taking the storm lightly. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

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Hurricane-force winds are expected to impact wide swaths of the state tonight. Matt Doyle has the story.

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Power restoration for areas of the state that were impacted by Hurricane Laura area once again in Delta’s path. Entergy CEO Phillip May says they completed repairs for most customers that were able to accept service last week in the Lake Charles area, but crews are still performing grid work.

Cut 4 (07) “…making there.”

May says approximately 75-percent of towers and transmission systems have been replaced with equipment to now withstand winds of 140-150mph, versus the previous 120mph winds.

Cut 5 (09) “…Hurricane Delta.”

Hurricane Delta is the second Hurricane to hit Celco’s service territory in six weeks. Celco Spokesperson Jennifer Cahill says they are prepared to respond for anticipated outages.

Cut 6 (10) “…a few.”

Cahill says trees that were not damaged during Hurricane Laura are still vulnerable and with Delta trailing so close behind they might not survive a second storm. Cahill says repair crews are on standby and ready to relocate for outages.

Cut 7 (06) “beginning repairs”

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Cameron Parish is just hours away from impact from Hurricane Delta and Sheriff Ron Johnson says the community is preparing for a wide variety of problems that can come with a storm.

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Johnson says the message to leave the parish has been one that the residents have taken extremely seriously with this storm.  Most have chosen to find other accommodations this weekend.

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The storm is still expected to pack a punch as it cuts across the state and into Mississippi.  Avoyelles Parish GOHSEP director Joey Frank says it is potential flooding issues that have caught the attention of the locals.

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Frank asks that people refrain from cruising the streets during or immediately after the storm.

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Hurricane Delta is on track to make landfall in Cameron Parish around 7 PM Friday night.

National Weather Service Meteorologist Ben Schott warns that the system is growing in size and it is likely we will see hurricane-force winds stretching from Lake Charles to Baton Rouge.

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Storm surge could be as much as 11 feet in Vermillion Bay, and five to ten inches of rain could fall across southwest Louisiana, with pockets of up to 15 inches possible.

The current track has the storm hitting eastern Cameron Parish before curving to the northeast and passing near Alexandria before exiting through the Delta Parishes as a tropical storm. Schott says that means everyone in the state needs to pay attention…

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The system is expected to move at a brisk 15 to 17 mile per hour pace once it makes landfall and Schott says that means we won’t be suffering for long…

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Governor Edwards extends the current Phase Three COVID public health restrictions until November 6^th.

Edwards says at this point there’s not much more loosening that can be done until a vaccine is publicly available.

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In one slight change alcohol sales are now allowed at sporting events in parishes that are eligible to open bars. 40 parishes have met the COVID test positivity rate to reopen bars. A process has begun to allow fairs and festivals to resume on a case by case basis, but all such events will be limited to 500 people at a time.

Edwards’ extension comes as there is an aggressive legislative effort to strip him of all or most of his public health authority. He says his orders are supported by the White House and not up for debate with lawmakers.

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Bills that would reduce his public health authority have obtained majorities, but not veto-proof majorities, and a series of non-vetoable resolutions doing the same that have passed are likely to have to be resolved in court.

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After getting blown out by 31 points on the road against 22nd ranked BYU last Friday, La Tech returns to Joe Aillet Stadium tomorrow night to host Conference foe UTEP. Bulldogs coach Skip Holtz is looking for a bounce-back performance…

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After battling through a COVID outbreak a month ago, Holtz says they head into Saturday’s home game as healthy as they’ve been

cut 18 (16) ” nice job” 

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LSU is gearing up for a so-called home game in Missouri tomorrow as they face a Tigers team that is off to an 0-2 start. Mizzou is averaging just 16 points a game. LSU Safety Jacoby Stevens says Missouri tries to confuse opposing defenses…

cut 19 (23) “.of position” ‘

LSU’s offense performed well in last week’s 41-7 win over Vanderbilt. Senior Jontre Kirklin caught two TD passes and hopes to contribute more…

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Hurricane Delta is a category three storm but is expected to begin weakening as it approaches the shore. Landfall is still expected to be sometime around 7 PM in eastern Cameron Parish and Delta is expected to then begin a northern curve that takes it near Alexandria and into the Delta Parishes before crossing into Mississippi.

National Weather Service Meteorologist Ben Schott says hurricane-force gusts could be felt as far east as Baton Rouge, which should put most of the state on alert for potential wind damage and falling trees.

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The system is expected to move at a brisk 15 to 17 mile per hour pace once it makes landfall and Schott says that means we won’t be suffering for long…

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Southwest Louisiana has only had the lights back on for a few weeks and now faces the prospect of once again losing power from a hurricane.  Entergy CEO Phillip May says approximately 75-percent of towers and transmission systems have been replaced with equipment to now withstand winds of 140-150mph, versus the previous 120mph winds.

Cut 5 (09) “…Hurricane Delta.”

Cleco Spokesperson Jennifer Cahill says trees that were not damaged during Hurricane Laura are still vulnerable and with Delta trailing so close behind they might not survive a second storm. Cahill says repair crews are on standby and ready to relocate for outages.

Cut 7 (06) “beginning repairs”

The Governor’s Phase Three public health order related to COVID has been extended into November. This comes as there is an active effort in the Legislature to undo the Governor’s ability to issue those orders.

Hurricane Delta is on track to make landfall in Cameron Parish around 7 PM tonight. National Weather Service Meteorologist Ben Schott warns that the system is growing in size and it is likely we will see hurricane-force winds stretching from Lake Charles to Baton Rouge.

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Storm surge could be as much as 11 feet in Vermillion Bay, and five to ten inches of rain could fall across southwest Louisiana, with pockets of up to 15 inches possible.

Cameron Parish Sheriff Ron Johnson says the community is preparing for a wide variety of problems that can come with a storm.

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The Governor’s Phase Three public health order has been extended into November.

Crews are standing by to restore power in the wake of Hurricane Delta, with many of those who lost power during Laura again facing the prospect of losing power again. Entergy CEO Phillip May says they completed repairs for most customers that were able to accept service last week in the Lake Charles area, but crews are still performing grid work.

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May says approximately 75-percent of towers and transmission systems have been replaced with equipment to now withstand winds of 140-150mph.

Celco Spokesperson Jennifer Cahill says they are prepared to respond for anticipated outages.

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Cahill says trees that were not damaged during Hurricane Laura are still vulnerable and with Delta trailing so close behind they might not survive a second storm.

Hurricane Delta is set to cut a swath from eastern Cameron Parish all the way up to the Delta parishes after it makes landfall Friday around 7 PM. While the cone of uncertainty has narrowed for its path Governor Edwards warns the system is quickly growing wider and will likely result in hurricane-force winds stretching across large portions of the state, and storm surge issues across the southwest and central coastline.

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Heavy winds are expected to begin impacting southwest Louisiana as early as 8 AM Friday morning. Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter says the city is under a mandatory evacuation order, but you may be out of time if you are still planning to leave…

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Calcasieu, Allen, Jeff Davis, and Cameron parishes are all under mandatory evacuation orders but the Governor warns not to leave your house once tropical-storm-force winds enter your area.

Voluntary evacuation orders are in place for residents of Acadia and Lafayette parishes ahead of Delta’s Friday landfall in eastern Cameron Parish. Lafayette Consolidated Government spokesperson Jamie Angelle says if you must stay you can, but Friday likely won’t be very pleasant…

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Lafayette will implement a curfew starting at 12 PM Friday lasting until 6 AM Saturday morning.

Acadia Sheriff KP Gibson says he’s already seen residents in the flood-prone southern portion of the parishes leaving, and they’re moving inmates out of the parish into facilities in north Louisiana…

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National Weather Service Lake Charles meteorologist Chanelle Stigger says just in case you’re holding out hope for Delta to take a westward turn for Texas…

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Per the 10 PM update, Hurricane Delta is not expected to be at major hurricane strength when it makes landfall in eastern Cameron Parish around 7 PM Friday, but forecasts still show the system moving rapidly through the state maintaining at least tropical storm strength as it cuts from southwest Louisiana to Alexandria and up into the Delta Parishes.

You are just about out of time if you live in southwest Louisiana and want to evacuate ahead of Delta. While mandatory evacuation orders are in effect in Calcasieu, Cameron, Allen, and Jeff Davis Parishes if you’re still in the region you might want to start looking at hunkering down as heavy winds should begin impacting the coast as soon as 8 AM tomorrow morning.

Acadia Parish Sheriff KP Gibson says if you’re sticking around for the storm now is the time to do one last check to make sure you are prepped and ready to ride it out…

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Acadia and Lafayette Parishes are currently only under voluntary evacuation orders.

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter is warning residents not to let hurricane fatigue keep them from leaving the city ahead of Delta’s landfall. Hunter says the sheer volume of debris still in the open in the parish makes staying behind a dangerous proposition with hurricane-force winds in the forecast. He says this year just feels like a bad dream, but this storm is very real…

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Governor Edwards echoed that sentiment saying it’s just unlucky that the already reeling people of southwest Louisiana are being put through the wringer once again. He says he hopes Cameron and Calcasieu will not have to bear the brunt of this storm…

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Edwards also noted earlier today that the state will be extending its current Phase Three public health order and restrictions into November.

Calcasieu, Allen, Cameron, and Jeff Davis Parishes are all under mandatory evacuation orders. Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter understands your frustrations…

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Forecasts show Delta has slowed down from its previously blistering pace and is cruising at about 12 miles per hour just 300 miles south of Cameron Parish where it is expected to make landfall late Friday evening.

The National Hurricane Center is growing increasingly confident Delta will make landfall somewhere within Cameron Parish Friday with a very high likelihood that it will hit within 25 miles of where Laura struck just six weeks ago. National Weather Service Lake Charles meteorologist Chanelle Stigger…

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Stigger says the biggest problem appears to be wind damage with sustained speeds of 90-100 miles per hour, with gusts up to 120, but Delta will bring other issues.

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the storm is now anticipated to remain at Hurricane strength as far north as Alexandria, and keep tropical storm strength as it passes through the Delta Parishes.

Hurricane Delta is now once again expected to maintain hurricane strength as it heads inland Friday evening, possibly as far in as Alexandria. The track has the system making landfall in central Cameron Parish before moving northeast across the state, keeping tropical storm strength as it passes through the Delta Parishes.

Due to Delta slowing down a bit it is now anticipated that more rain than was previously expected will fall. Current estimates put that number at 5-10 inches across southwest and parts of central Louisiana with isolated pockets of 15 inches possible.

Governor Edwards says along with heavy rains expect some potentially life-threatening levels of storm surge due to the system gaining size now that it has made its way into the Gulf of Mexico.

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If you’re in southwest Louisiana you are about out of time to evacuate should you want to do so ahead of Hurricane Delta. Mandatory evacuation orders are in effect for Calcasieu, Allen, Jeff Davis, and Cameron Parishes. Lake Charles Mayor Nick Hunter asks you to please leave the city, and do it soon…

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Voluntary evacuation orders are in effect for Lafayette and Acadia Parishes. Lafayette Consolidated Government spokesperson Jamie Angelle says if you must stay you can, but Friday likely won’t be very pleasant…

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In a brief non-Delta news update it appears at least six Missouri players have tested positive for COVID before this Saturday’s game against LSU and will not be available. Kickoff is still set for noon Saturday.

As of the 7 PM, National Hurricane Center forecast Hurricane Delta is still on track to make landfall in Cameron Parish Friday evening.

Time is quickly running out for you to evacuate. If you are in Cameron, Allen, Jeff Davis, and Calcasieu Parishes, the evacuation order is mandatory. If you’re in Acadia or Lafayette Parish though it’s only voluntary, but Acadia Parish Sheriff KP Gibson says they’re moving all parish inmates to north Louisiana, and if you can leave you should too before the weather turns.

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Landfall is currently expected to be within 25 miles of where Laura hit six weeks ago, but Governor Edwards hopes Delta takes a turn before it reaches the still recovering region…

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Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter is still in disbelief that his city is in the general path of yet another potential major hurricane. While the city appears to be a bit more west of where Laura made landfall he says due to the structural damage in most homes you need to leave the city if you’re still there…

Cut 10 (07) “…through Hurricane Delta.”

National Weather Service Lake Charles meteorologist Chanelle Stigger says the rains won’t be much of an issue, maybe four to eight inches at most, but winds of 100 miles per hour are possible which means areas like Calcasieu Parish that still have a lot of loose debris out in the open from Hurricane Laura could see that debris picked up and thrown through the air Friday.

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Delta is currently a category three but is expected to weaken as it approaches the cool waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico.

Hurricane Delta is expected to make landfall tomorrow nearly in the same location as Hurricane Laura did six weeks ago today. Governor John Bel Edwards says they are still housing six-thousand Hurricane Laura evacuees in hotels mostly in New Orleans.  The governor says Delta has grown in size since hitting the Yucatan Peninsula

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Hurricane Delta continues its approach towards the Louisiana coast. National Weather Service Lake Charles meteorologist Chanelle Stigger says exactly six weeks after Laura clobbered the area, they are bracing for round two. The storm track has shifted west over the last few days, but landfall in Cameron is more likely now.

Cut 7 (08) “…couple of advisories.”

Mandatory evacuation orders are in place for Cameron, Allen, Jeff Davis, and Calcasieu Parishes.

Officials in Acadia and Lafayette Parish are imploring residents to leave if they can, but are stopping just shy of calling for mandatory evacuations. Acadia Sheriff KP Gibson says they’ve issued a voluntary evacuation order but if you can leave please do, and if you plan to ride out the storm Friday in the parish make sure you are ready to do so.

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Lafayette Consolidated Government spokesperson Jamie Angelle says the hurricane still has everyone’s attention after what happened to their neighbors just over a month ago…

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Lafayette will implement a curfew starting at 12PM Friday lasting until 6 AM Saturday morning.

Hurricane Delta is now a major hurricane again. The 4 o’clock advisory from the National Hurricane Center reports Delta as a Category Three with winds of 115mph. The storm has slowed down to 12 mph from the previous 13 and is moving northwest. A drop in both pressure and speed could delay landfall to later in the day Friday.

Officials have issued voluntary evacuation orders for residents of Acadia and Lafayette Parishes ahead of Delta’s anticipated landfall in eastern Cameron Parish Friday.

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As Hurricane Delta continues its approach towards the Louisiana coast, National Weather Service Lake Charles meteorologist Chanelle Stigger says the biggest problem appears to be wind damage with sustained speeds of 90-100 miles per hour, with gusts up to 120, but Delta will bring other issues.

Cut 8 (08) “…threat for tornadoes.”

Hurricane Delta is expected to make landfall tomorrow nearly in the same location as Hurricane Laura did six weeks ago today. Governor John Bel Edwards hopes the most impacted parts of Cameron and Calcasieu will miss the brunt of this next storm…

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And Governor Edwards extended Phase Three until November 6^th and  says “There just isn’t a lot further to go in terms of loosening restrictions before we are fully back to normal.”