President Joe Biden will visit southeast Louisiana to get a first-hand look at the damage left behind 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.”

Terrebonne Parish was hit hard by Hurricane Ida. Parish President Gordon Dove says they are working to set up a makeshift hospital because Terrebonne General and Leonard Chabert Medical Center are closed due to roof damage…
cut 5 (06) “…course utilities”
Nearly 99-percent of Terrebonne customers are without electricity.

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.”

The St. James Parish Sheriff’s Office is reporting a Hurricane Ida death. Deputies say a man died when his shed collapsed, most likely from Ida’s destructive winds.

And on the COVID front, the state health department is reporting two more pediatric deaths. The total number of pediatric deaths in the state from COVID is up to 13.

President Biden will visit hurricane-damaged areas of Louisiana tomorrow and Governor Edwards has a list of requests he would like to see the federal government grant…
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Today Governor Edwards will survey Ida damage in St. Bernard, Plaquemines and Tangipahoa Parishes. He’ll hold a media briefing at 5:15 in his hometown of Amite City. Over 900-thousand customers are without power and a lack of gasoline is also slowing response and recovery efforts.

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 Army Corps of Engineers program that will cover the roof with fiber-reinforced sheeting…
Cut 13 (11) “…assistance.”
For more information go to blue-roof-dot-us.

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 flooding was minimal for areas protected by levees.
Cut 4 (11) “…with water.”
Dove says they are working to set up a makeshift hospital because Terrebonne General and Leonard Chabert Medical Center are closed due to roof damage.

Governor Edwards says a major part of his focus is getting more gasoline into southeast Louisiana to help fuel vehicles and generators. Long lines are common at any gas station that has fuel. Congressman Garret Graves has asked the Department of Energy and the EPA to authorize the release of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

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.”

According to the Louisiana Public Service Commission, 909-thousand customers are without power this morning. Entergy’s outage map shows that some lights are coming back on in parts of the French Quarter and the C-B-D. Governor Edwards says some homes and businesses in New Orleans East also have electricity back…
cut 9 (08) “….coming days”
President Biden will visit the state tomorrow to get a first-hand look at the damage.

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture has used its mobile pet shleter to give pets a temporary home while storm victims try to find housing. Agriculture Commissioner Mike 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”
Louisiana National Guard soldiers rescued at least 55 pets from flooded homes and neighborhoods.

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.