August of 2016 was certainly a wet one for the entire state of Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has more…
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Around 135-thousand people have applied for FEMA assistance since the flood, and many have been denied. Michelle Southern has more on a new hotline offering legal advice to these victims…
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August of 2016 goes down as the wettest recorded August in Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says data shows the state averaged 12 and a half inches for the month, crushing the previous record of 9.71 inches back in August of 1940. However, he says this August was only the ninth wettest month ever when looking at all the months of the year…
Keim says August 2016 was the wettest month ever in Baton Rouge, recording a little over 30 inches in the Capital City. He says that’s also the case for the Acadiana region and the Felicianas that were hammered by the recent rain event.
Keim says the majority of the rainfall this August came over a three to four day period…
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As flood victims are working to repair their homes and get as much federal assistance as possible, volunteer attorneys are offering legal advice to those who are denied by FEMA. New Orleans attorney Graham Ryan says they’ve established a hotline to provide quick answers. He says people can call 1-800-310-7029, and there are other ways to reach these volunteers.
Ryan says some of the denials can easily be reversed. He says one common problem is that the name on the deed of the flooded home didn’t match the name on the application, like when people move into their deceased parent’s home.
Ryan says it’s important for people to know these attorneys are not taking on cases, just offering legal advice. But he says there are plenty of organizations around the state that will take up a flood victim’s case.
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Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says he’s been told the August flood event will be the fourth most costly event for the National Flood Insurance Program.
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Donelon says there have been 28-thousand claims filed with the N-F-I-P and expects the number to grow past 30-thousand. He says most of the calls they are getting lately are from people who thought their homeowners insurance covered flooding. He says people should know what they’re covered for and what they’re not.
Donelon says Louisiana has the third most flood insurance policies in the nation, at 450-thousan policies. He says people are also benefitting from comprehensive coverage on their vehicles. He says State Farm has already reported 18-thousand claims have been made for flooded vehicles.
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Shreveport Police are searching for burglary suspects who stole a service animal. Cpl. Marcus Hines says police were called to a home after the residence had been forcefully entered and items were taken, including “Major, a Rottweiler service dog, who is trained to understand sign language.
Hines says if anyone has information on where Major could be, call Crime Stoppers. He says they’re unsure why someone would take the dog but hope to reunite Major with his owner as soon as possible.
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The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is reminding motorists about their responsibilities on the road when approaching an upcoming accident. The plea comes in the wake of the tragic crash that killed two people, including a district fire chief in St. John Parish. LHSC spokeswoman Jessica Bedwell says drivers need to move away from crashes…:
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Bedwell says the recent crash illustrates why drivers must exercise caution when encountering parked emergency vehicles on the roadway. She says Louisiana law mandates that motorists safely change lanes when approaching emergency vehicles parked on or near the highway…: