1:30PM Newscast

52,500 homeowners so far have applied for FEMA assistance in the six parishes currently designated for relief. FEMA Region Six Administrator Tony Robinson says the first step in the road to recovery for homeowners is to seek assistance from your insurance company.

Cut 12 (09) “…insurance”

Those in Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis, Vernon, Allen, and Beauregard Parishes can apply currently, with the list of eligible parishes expected to grow in the near future.

Beauregard Electric Co-op tells its customers to be prepared to be without power for at least the next four weeks.  Co-op spokesperson Danielle Tilley says substations and transmission lines will be repaired first and then service lines, but substations will not be able to receive power until its larger transmission lines are functioning again.

Cut 7 (11) “…as of now.”

 

Louisiana’s death toll from Hurricane Laura is up to 14 and more than half of the fatalities are from carbon monoxide poisoning from portable generators. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says when using a generator, it should be at least 20 feet away from your home, adding it’s also important to avoid trying to refuel a generator when it’s still hot…

Cut 5 (11)  “…that generate cool.”

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter says his city is going to need a lot of outside help if it’s going to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Laura. Hunter did note a silver lining to this tragedy: it appears the people of his city took the mandatory evacuation order very seriously.

Cut 11 (08) “…get out”

Hunter made the comments on Talk Louisiana.