LRN PM Newscall May 18

Lake Charles recorded its heaviest amount of rainfall on Monday according to the National Weather Service, Brooke Thorington has more from Mayor Nic Hunter as the city is still rebuilding after two hurricanes.

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo is out as House Education Chairman. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31) …I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

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Over a foot of rain fell over parts of Lake Charles and Baton Rouge yesterday as a result of a slow-moving storm system. State Climatologist Barry Keim says Lake Charles is once again dealing with storm damage

Cut 3 (14)  “…that flooded” 

In the Baton Rouge area, nearly 15 inches of rain fell in Gonzales and more heavy rainfall is expected through Thursday. Keim says warm air off the Gulf of Mexico is colliding with the upper atmosphere to produce strong thunderstorms capable of dumping a lot of water…

Cut 4 (10) “..over and over again” 

Keim says Louisiana has seen its share of major flood events in May. He says the two that come to mind are the May 3rd flood in 1978 in New Orleans and the May 8th to 10th 1995 flood in Slidell

Cut 5  (10)  “…of events”

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Lake Charles recorded the third heaviest rainfall in history according to the National Weather Service, with more than a foot of rain Monday, and that includes Hurricanes Laura and Delta. Mayor Nic Hunter says he’s not a scientist but three major weather events in less than nine months are evidence of climate change.

Cut 6 (12) “…100 years (x2)”

It was 264 days ago that the city was hit with Hurricane Laura, then just over a month later Delta. Hunter says it’s ridiculous that they have yet to receive commiserate federal response to the 2020 hurricanes.

Cut 7 (12) “…response.”

Hunter says he’s not saying the city wouldn’t have flooded Monday if they had received federal aid sooner, but the lack of response is unfathomable.

With three major weather events in less than eight months, Hunter says some residents are facing now a third renovation of their homes.

Cut 8 (08) “…for citizens”

Hunter says congressional leaders continue to tell him they are fighting for funding to assist southwest Louisiana.

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The historic rainfall that swamped Lake Charles and Baton Rouge last night left many residents stranded in their cars and homes as floodwaters rose rapidly yesterday and early this morning.

State Fire Marshal’s spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says their long day began early Monday as marshals were called in to help assist local authorities in Lake Charles…

Cut 9 (12) “…flooded in”

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reports having to rescue 110 people in southwest Louisiana yesterday. Rodrigue says so far marshals have rescued nearly 100 themselves…

Cut 10 (08) “..people” 

This weather event is expected to last at least another day and Rodrigue is asking residents to stay off the road if they can and stay away from any flooded streets.

Cut 11 (11) “…out”

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State Representative Ray Garofalo says he’s out as House Education Chairman. The Legislative Black Caucus asked for Garofalo’s removal after he said there was good with slavery to go along with the bad and ugly. La-Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says House Speaker Clay Schexnayder did not give any indication this move would occur

Cut 12 (09)    “…on this” 

Alford says there was pressure to make a move with Garofalo as House Education Chair because the Black Caucus threatened not to support the Republicans’ tax reform plans. But he says now that Garofalo is out, they still might not support it

Cut 13 (09)“…tax rate”

Garofalo made his controversial comment about slavery on April 26th. Alford says since then racial tensions have been high when that committee meets and Garofalo has tried to keep a low profile…

Cut 14 (10) “…come back in” 

No word on who will replace Garofalo as House Education Chairman.

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Governor John Bel Edwards says severe weather yesterday and early this morning is suspected to be responsible for four deaths so far in the Baton Rouge area.

Edwards says a suspected weather-related incident in West Baton Rouge Parish claimed one life, injured another, and resulted in one missing person. Just across the river…

Cut 15 (11) “…Bluebonnet.” 

Edwards says two additional deaths in Baton Rouge may be related to power outages.

Edwards says this weather event is expected to continue into tonight but unlike the 2016 Flood…

Cut 16 (12) “…quickly”