Rain and storm surge predictions for Hurricane Delta don’t look too severe, but we could see heavy wind damage deep inland. Matt Doyle has the story…
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There was a tense moment in a Committee hearing about legislation that would grant immunity to those who gather for religious services against state orders during an emergency. Brooke Thorington has the story…
cut 2 (33) “I’m Brooke Thorington”
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Most of the Louisiana coast is now under a Hurricane Watch as Delta is on track to make landfall in the state sometime Friday, and potentially as a category three hurricane. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the most likely point of impact right now appears to be somewhere in St. Mary, Iberia, or Vermillion Parishes.
Delta is currently crossing the Yucatan Peninsula.
Keim says Delta is currently only forecasted to bring about four to eight inches of rain to the state…
The NWS storm surge forecast calls for seven to eleven feet of surge from Pecan Island to Port Fourchon, and four feet of surge elsewhere along the coast.
Keim says Delta’s biggest threat at the moment appears to be its potential to bring some heavy wind damage deep inland…
Delta will be only the third named storm to hit the state in October since 1851.
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Hurricane Delta forces the relocation of this Saturday’s Missouri-LSU game. Instead of taking place at Tiger Stadium, the Tigers will be heading to Columbia, Missouri. LSU Coach Ed Orgeron says the team is adapting to the last-minute shakeup.
Cut 6 (09) “…practice in Missouri.”
The game was originally set for Saturday night, but with the change in venue comes a change in kickoff time. Orgeron says the 11 AM kickoff will be a benefit, because a night game would have resulted in the team rolling back into Baton Rouge extremely early Sunday morning…
Cut 7 (06) “…advantage for us.”
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Legislation granting criminal and civil immunity to those who gather for religious services against state orders during an emergency clears a House committee.
Oil City Representative Danny McCormick says his bill is in response to the state’s ban on in-person church services early in the pandemic…
Central Pastor Tony Spell testified at the committee. He says Central police had no right to arrest him for continuing in-person services in spite of the state ban.
Spell was challenged by Chairman Ted James who contested the accusation, citing the Governor’s record.
The legislation also aims to retroactively void charges like those against Pastor Spell, but James says even if this is signed into law it can’t be applied to past cases.
The bill heads next to the House where a series of efforts restricting or overturning the Governor’s public health orders have passed.
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It was just over a month ago that Rapides Parish was roughed up by Hurricane Laura and now the area is in the track of Hurricane Delta. Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office Chief of Staff Tommy Carnline says the area has a feeling of exhaustion in seeing they may get a second round with the 2020 hurricane season.
Cut 11 (09) “…getting really absurd.”
Carnline says deputies are already preparing to clear the roads for utility restoration teams as well as first responders.
Cut 12 (09) “…it happens bad.”
Carnline says the message to residents is to prepare now. Make sure to have the supplies needed to be self-sustainable for three days and tank up at the gas station now in the event power is lost later.