An initial report released by the FAA reveals a helicopter appeared to have struck a tree before it crashed into a sugar cane field – killing two officer pilots in West Baton Rouge Parish yesterday. Reports indicate the helicopter took off from the Baton Rouge Metro Airport at 2:26 am and crashed in a field 12 minutes later. Several hours passed before anyone realized the helicopter was missing and was not found until 11:30 am after the pilots did not return home. The helicopter crew was dispatched to assist with a vehicle pursuit. The names of the officers will not be released until family members have been notified.
Pollock Representative Gabe Firment has filed a bill requiring insurance companies to offer policyholders an endorsement where the insurance company would pay to upgrade a damaged roof to fortified standards. Firment says it’s a way to lower costs and decrease damage.
Legislators held a special session earlier this year to put $45 million in an incentive fund to attract insurance companies to write policies.
The United Cajun Navy is assisting people in the small town of Rolling Fork, Mississippi after a tornado leveled the community Friday night. UCN founder and president Todd Terrell says they’ve shifted from search and rescue to distributing supplies and food.
At least 26 people were killed in Mississippi by the EF4 twister.