The state is opening up the mega-shelter in Shreveport, as the one in Alexandria is near capacity with Texas flood victims. DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says there are many shelters in north Louisiana originally designed to stand ready in case New Orleans had to be evacuated again…:
Cut 12 (11) “of their own”
Walters says it’s too early in the process to say how long these shelters will be open.

The National Hurricane Center says Hurricane Irma, which is way out in the Atlantic Ocean, will remain a powerful hurricane for days. Forecaster Eric Blake says Irma is about 15-hundred miles east of the Leeward Islands…:
Cut 6 (10) “five days”
Most of the models show Irma steering clear of the Gulf of Mexico, but Blake says the Gulf Coast shouldn’t let their guard down.

Richland Parish Congressman Ralph Abraham is taking to the skies and flying Harvey missions with the US Air Force. Abraham is a major in the Air Force Auxiliary and says his assignment began Thursday. He says he flew over Beaumont and Port Arthur…:
Cut 3 (11) “right now”
He says it’s unclear how long these missions will be necessary.

According to the property management company TurnKey Vacation Rentals, Louisiana residents’ favorite place to travel for the Labor Day Holiday is Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Spokesman TJ Clark says Chattanooga came in at number two for Louisiana residents destinations for Labor Day which are popular with a lot of people…:
Cut 9 (09) “and nationally”
Clark says this is the least popular of the three summer travel holidays.