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 gas-powered generators produce carbon monoxide which is odorless and colorless
Browning says when using a generator, it should be at least 20 feet away from your home
So far, 52,500 homeowners have applied for FEMA assistance in the six parishes currently designated for relief. FEMA Region Six Administrator Tony Robinson says there’s a number of ways to submit your application for FEMA aid.
That toll-free number is 1-800-621-FEMA.
About 44,000 northwest and central Louisiana SWEPCO customers are still without power, but the timeline for restoration has been moved up a day. Swepco spokesperson Carey Sullivan says restoration for nearly all Bossier City and Haughton residents is expected tonight by 10 PM, with Shreveport and Mansfield expected back online by tomorrow night.
Hornbeck, Natchitoches, and Logansport customers will have to wait until Thursday night.
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 with the level of damage received from the storm, some customers may be out of power even longer….