If you sustained wind damage from Hurricane Ida, the state’s insurance commissioner has some advice for you. Kevin Gallagher has more.
Cut 1 (29) “…Gallagher reporting.”
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Four patients are dead after a mass evacuation of seven nursing homes in southeast Louisiana to a warehouse in Tangipahoa Parish ahead of Hurricane Ida. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (41) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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President Biden will tour devastation left by Hurricane Ida in Louisiana today. New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter will accompany the President on his visit and advocate for federal assistance. Dave Brannen has more.
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”
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Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon shares some advice if you’ve sustained wind damage from Hurricane Ida: “file your claim sooner, rather than later.” Donelon says the state’s Named Storm Deductible law (letting your insurer collect 2-to-5 percent of your assessed value) often discourages people from filing…
Cut 4 (07) “…to ten thousand dollars”
Donelon says even if your Named Storm Deductible is higher than your assessed damage, it counts against any possible future claims this year, and can only be assessed once a year.
Lake Charles was badly hit by Hurricane Laura last year, and then another hit from Hurricane Delta only 6 weeks later.
And what about FEMA? Can they be of any help in recovering from Hurricane Ida? Donelon says it cannot hurt to ask.
Donelon reminds us all that water damage is covered only under the Federal Flood Insurance Program and claims must be made separately
Cut 6 (13) “…will get assistance.”
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Lafourche is one of more than a dozen Louisiana parishes struggling to even begin recovering from the devastation wrought by Hurricane Ida. Entergy’s Deanna Lafont says the utility situation in Lafourche is really bad.
Cut 7 (10) “..facilities are damaged.”
Lafont says the utility has only been able to assess about 40-percent of the damage given the inaccessibility of the southern areas of Lafourche Parish. She says at least 1200 poles are among those damaged or downed by the powerful winds of Ida.
Cut 8 (11) “…people get power.”
Lafont says some of the big issues involve getting the materials to rebuild the damaged utility system, finding places for workers to sleep given the lack of habitable motels, and getting food to them. But, she remains optimistic for the parish’s future.
Lafont says damage assessments in the parish are continuing and clearing roadways such as LA-1 is a high priority in order to get heavy equipment in place to continue repairs.
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Four nursing home residents are dead after seven nursing homes in Jefferson, Lafourche, Orleans, and Terrebonne Parishes were evacuated Friday to a warehouse in Tangipahoa Parish located in Independence. Independence Police Chief Frank Edwards, who is also the brother of Governor John Bel Edwards, says the warehouse owned by Waterbury Companies was only equipped for 300 to 350 patients.
Cut 10 (10) “…transported here.”
According to The Advocate the seven nursing homes are all owned by Bob Dean.
Edwards says 843 patients put the warehouse well overcapacity, and the building was neither equipped nor prepared for that many. Edwards says conditions then deteriorated rather quickly and he contacted his brother, Governor Edwards, on Tuesday.
Cut 11 (13) “…prepared facility.”
During their initial visit to the warehouse, Louisiana Department Health inspectors were expelled from the site. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says during triage 14 residents were determined to need immediate hospitalization and four evacuated residents have since died, of which three have been listed as storm-related deaths. A cause of death for the four residents hasn’t been released. Kanter says an investigation is underway.
Identities of the deceased have not been released yet.
According to LDH unless under a mandatory evacuation order, nursing homes make the decision of when and where to evacuate, but they must always provide safe conditions for their residents.
The Louisiana Nursing Home Association released a statement that they are saddened to hear of the four deaths and the nursing homes involved are not members of the LNHA.
The nursing homes involved are River Palms Nursing and Rehab, Orleans Parish; South Lafourche Nursing and Rehab, Lafourche Parish; Maison Orleans Healthcare, Orleans Parish; Park Place Healthcare Nursing Home, Jefferson Parish; West Jefferson Health Care Center, Jefferson Parish; Maison DeVille Nursing Home, Terrebonne Parish; and Maison DeVille Nursing Home of Harvey, Jefferson Parish.
Concerned family members can call 2-1-1 for updates. You will need to provide the patient’s name, facility, and date of birth for updates.
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Congressman Troy Carter of New Orleans is welcoming President Biden’s visit today with open arms, assessing that it could improve the help storm victims sorely need.
Carter indicates there is little doubt in his mind that the president will be taken aback by the storm’s devastating attack on the state.
Cut 14 (08) “…wrenching for anyone.”
Carter says that he’ll ask that we invest in putting our powerlines underground which would take away the possibility of people being without power for weeks or months during the hottest time of the year.
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Governor John Bel Edwards says in Louisiana there are now nine storm-related deaths attributed to Hurricane Ida. Historically speaking most deaths occur after a storm so Edwards reminds residents to be mindful during this recovery period.
The deaths include an Ascension Parish man who died after a tell fell on his home, a New Orleans man who down in floodwaters, three Marrero individuals who died of carbon monoxide poisoning, a Lafitte woman who drowned, and three nursing home patients who died after a mass evacuation of their facility.
Edwards also stresses the need to abide by the burn ban that it’s in place, due to the stressors that Ida has placed on our infrastructure and water systems…
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UCLA Football Coach Chip Kelly is looking for a signature win. Kelly has an 11 and 21 record as the Bruins boss and a win over LSU would be a real statement for the PAC-12 school. Kelly is well aware of Max Johnson’s athleticism
LSU was in Houston to prepare for the game and Tigers Coach Ed Orgeron says they are treating this game like a bowl game. Kelly says they are not putting an added emphasis on this contest…
The 23rd ranked Ragin Cajuns will look to make a huge statement when they face 21st ranked Texas in Memorial Stadium in Austin. U-L Lafayette will face a hostile crowd as U-T is allowing 100-percent capacity at its games. It’s been a while since Coach Billy Napier’s team has played in front of a full stadium
Napier says they know they are going up against one of the great blueblood programs of college football …