Louisiana’s request for a major disaster declaration in 23 parishes following Hurricane Laura receives approval from President Trump. Gov. John Bel Edwards made the announcement Friday evening. It opens FEMA assistance to individuals and communities impacted by the Category 4 storm. President Trump has visits scheduled to Lake Charles and Orange, Texas this afternoon. He will survey damage and receive briefings on emergency operations and relief efforts.
The City of Lake Charles is devastated and Mayor Nic Hunter warns it could be weeks before some semblance of normality returns. Water lines are destroyed, and power is down and there’s no solid estimate on when either will return. Hunter is asking residents who return to Lake Charles, be prepared to look, and leave.
Today is the 15th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.
Governor Edwards says he’s optimistic that power to most people in north and central Louisiana can be restored in a manner of hours and days, and not weeks which could be the case in the Lake Charles area. In the meantime, he says be careful around downed lines.
About 81,000 SWEPCO customers are still without power following Hurricane Laura, down from the peak of 136,000. SWEPCO spokesperson Carey Sullivan estimates most customers in Bossier City should have power restored by 10 PM Tuesday and Shreveport customers by 10 PM Wednesday.
Cut 13 (11) “…to address immediately.”
Entergy is reporting 208,000 customers are without power.