So far, no word on the cause of deaths for four nursing home residents evacuated prior to Hurricane Ida to a warehouse in Independence. The town’s police Chief Frank Edwards, the brother of Louisiana’s governor, says the Waterbury Companies-owned building was only equipped for up to 350 patients.

Cut 10 (10)  “…transported here.”

State health director Dr. Joe Kanter says LDH inspectors were initially expelled from the site.  Later during triage, 14 residents were determined to need immediate hospitalization, four of the patients later dying.  Kanter says an investigation continues.

Cut 12 (12)  “….they need.”

The identities of the victims have not been released.  According to health department officials, unless a mandatory evacuation order is issued, nursing homes are left to make the decision on when and where to evacuate patients to.

President Biden travels to Louisiana today to see up-close and personal the destruction caused by Hurricane Ida.  Congressman Troy Carter of New Orleans says Biden’s visit and assessment of the situation could lead to even more help that storm victims sorely need.

Cut 14  (08)   wrenching for anyone.’

Carter says he’ll ask that more money be put into the investment of underground powerlines, thus easing the possibility of people being without power for weeks or even months during the hottest time of the year.

Among those parishes with a long road ahead to recovery of its utility infrastructure is Lafourche where Biden will visit.  Entergy’s Deanna Lafont says the situation in the parish is nothing short of bad.

(Cut 7)  10   “facilities are damaged.”

With only 40-percent of the damage assessed as of Thursday, more than 12-hundred poles were found broken and downed, a number far exceeding the damage caused by Hurricane Zeta.