Francine is bringing increasing challenges at the pump, with many gas stations running out of fuel. The rush to prepare for the storm has led to long lines. Sean Richardson has more.
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The attorney general of Louisiana has a stern warning for price gougers. Andrew Greenstein reports
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City and parish leaders say they’re ready for Francine’s arrival. Jeff Palermo reports…
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As Francine approaches the Louisiana coast, drivers are encountering increasing challenges at the pump, with many gas stations running out of fuel. The rush to prepare for the storm has led to long lines, with residents topping off tanks and filling gas containers for generators in anticipation of power outages. GasBuddy.com Analyst Patrick De Haan says don’t worry…
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De Haan says when so many drivers are attempting to fill up will cause delays and says if residents don’t need fuel there is no need to worry about filling up. De Haan reminds residents of the best time to fill up if they don’t want to deal with empty pumps and long gas lines…
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Motorists are urged to remain patient and stay informed as the storm moves closer. De Haan says if drivers see empty pumps, supply is on the way…
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De Haan says he expects gas prices to continue to decrease over the new few weeks as well.
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Storms like Francine can not only bring out the best in people; unfortunately, it can also bring out the worst in people. That’s the message of Attorney General Liz Murrill, who warns that price gouging is illegal.
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Murrill says if you’ve been a victim of price gouging, the first place you can turn to is to law enforcement, since price gouging is a crime. She says you can also file a complaint on the AG’s website.
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You can also call the consumer hotline at 1-800-351-4889. Murrill has a stern message for price gougers: We will find you, and we will hold you accountable.
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Throughout the day yesterday, Francine’s path shifted more and more to the east – so much so that areas in western Louisiana appear to be largely in the clear. National Weather Service Meteorologist Hannah Lisney says she does not expect any additional significant shift in the path.
Francine didn’t become a hurricane until 7:00 last night. Throughout the day yesterday, the wind speed held steady at 65 miles an hour. Lisney says credit dry air for that.
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Francine is no longer expected to grow to a Category Two storm by the time it makes landfall.
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Local leaders in the cities and parishes in the path of the storm say they’re ready. In Morgan City, where Weather Channel reporter Jim Cantore is taking up temporary residence, Mayor Lee Dragna says they’ve been preparing for Francine’s arrival for a while now.
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Mayor Dragna says the city has greatly improved equipment needed to drain the city.
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In Terrebonne (TARE-ah-bone) Parish, President Jason Bergeron (BAA-zher-on) says if the storm passes to the east, that would be very good news.
The current track of the storm will take the center near St. Tammany Parish. President Mike Cooper is urging people to take any and all precautions.
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Cooper is also urging people to stay off the roads as not to interfere with rescue and recovery operations.
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The Saints put up 47 points in their season opening win against Carolina, but they’ll find it more difficult to find the end zone this Sunday when they visit the Dallas Cowboys. Coach Dennis Allen is looking forward to the matchup….
New Orleans is coming off a 37 point win as they head to Dallas. Allen says it was a great victory, but now they have to focus on the Cowboys…
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Louisiana Tech football coach Sonny Cumbie says Jack Turner will start at quarterback for the Bulldogs this Saturday when they visit North Carolina State. Turner was injured in the first half of the Nicholls State game on August 31st after taking a big hit. Cumbie credits Turner’s strength and conditioning for his quick recovery…
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North Carolina State went 9-4 last season and they were ranked 24th in the AP poll before losing to Tennessee 51-10 last week. Cumbie says his players are excited to play again after a bye week following the season opener…