Hurricane Zeta has made landfall in Louisiana near Cocodrie as a category two storm with 110 mile per hour winds, just one mile an hour shy of category three major hurricane strength. This is the record fifth named storm to strike the state this year, and presents a real concern for residents of New Orleans who are just 60 miles away from the system that’s moving at a blistering 25 mile an hour pace.
Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says if you’re in the southeast stay put, stay safe, and don’t leave your home until later tonight…
We’re not expecting this to be a major rain event and storm surge appears to be at manageable levels but 100 plus mile an hour winds are likely going to knock out power for many, many residents according to Shawn O’Neil with the National Weather Service….
Governor Edwards says 5,500 workers are staged to restore power quickly.
The head of State Police, Colonel Kevin Reeves, is retiring on Friday, while a federal investigation is ongoing into the death of a Black man while in State Police custody. Jeff Palermo has the story
Governor Edwards has vetoed a bill supported by Republican legislators that would have given lawmakers more authority over the governor’s emergency orders. The governor wrote in his veto letter that the bill allows for legislators to cast votes on life or death decisions from their homes via text message, which he says doesn’t represent a serious approach to responding to a public health emergency.