Coastal parishes hit hard by Wednesday night’s hurricane are working diligently to get life back to normal as quickly as possible. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Entergy Louisiana crews are working around the clock to restore power as quickly as possible. VP of Customer Service Michelle Bourg (BORG) says with manpower quadrupled, crews are making great progress.

Cut 3 (09) “…to the storm.”

Bourg says in the New Orleans and Baton Rouge areas, full restoration will happen even sooner.

Second Harvest is working to stock food pantries and coordinate long-term relief efforts as the region begins the recovery process. President and CEO Natalie Jayroe says they are seeking volunteers and donations to sustain these efforts in the coming weeks. She says volunteers and donations are crucial…

Cut 12 (08) “…for a family.”

Jayroe says Second Harvest remains focused on providing relief and helping families and individuals regain stability after the hurricane.  For more information on how you can donate or volunteer visit no-dash-hunger-dot-org.

The 16th ranked LSU Tigers kick off SEC play on Saturday by facing a confident South Carolina squad, coming off a 31-to-6 road win against Kentucky. Tigers Coach Brian Kelly expects the Gamecocks to use their run game to move the ball down the field…

Cut 13 (12) “…early on.” 

It’s an early 11 AM kick off in Columbia.

A Downsville Community Charter School teacher was arrested today. Union Parish Sheriff’s Investigators say, after becoming angry with a third-grade class, 70-year-old Robert Mitcham of Ruston threatened students saying he had bullets for his gun, and he would bring it to the school and shoot. He allegedly added some of the students would not survive.  Mitchem told authorities that he was not threatening the children. He said he was overwhelmed and wanted the children to settle down. Mitcham is charged with terrorizing and has been barred from the school.

Louisiana is getting assistance at the federal level for the damage done by Hurricane Francine. President Biden approved an emergency declaration for the state and Senator John Kennedy has been working to secure the money needed to help in the recovery effort.

Cut 12 (07) “…we pay taxes.”

Governor Landry and other officials flew over Terrebonne, Lafourche and St. Mary parishes this afternoon. Those three parishes took on the brunt of Francine which made landfall as a Category two storm in Terrebonne. Landry says there’s property damage but he says the bayou parishes were spared from major flooding

Cut 7 (09) “…doing works.”

State officials are trying to get a number on how many households and businesses sustained damages from Francine.

Francine caused widespread power outages across southeast Louisiana, leaving hundreds of thousands of residents without electricity. President and CEO of Entergy Louisiana Phillip May is asking for patience and assures residents that crews are working to restore power as quickly and safely as possible. While some progress has already been made, full restoration efforts will continue until all residents have power again.

Cut 11 (07) “…in the field.”

A small private aircraft crashed in Lafayette this morning.  Unfortunately, the only occupant of the craft died in the crash that happened upon take-off near Oakbourne Country Club which is just northeast of the Lafayette Regional Airport. The Lafayette Fire Department responded and is conducting an investigation.

Nurses save lives everyday but not always the way Emergency Room Nurse, Miles Crawford did Wednesday night. His rescue of a driver of a pickup truck that was being overtaken by New Orleans floodwaters was captured on live television and Governor Landry took a moment to honor Crawford.

Cut 14 (16) “..Miles for that.”

Television footage suggests Crawford acted in the nick of time.

Hurricane Francine came ashore with 100 mile per hour winds, but it will likely be remembered for the flash flooding it caused in southeast Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell says even though the storm has passed, there are still hazards out there that people need to be aware of.

Cut 13 (09) “…sure they’re safe.” 

The National Hurricane Center says little change is expected in the strength of Category One Hurricane Francine before she makes landfall. Maximum sustained winds are at 90 and the latest track shows a path running between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemine says we’re fortunate that Francine is fast moving. Cut 29 (12) …Weaken Rapidly

St. John the Baptist Parish has seen its fair share of damage from previous hurricanes. Parish president Jaclyn Hotard says her biggest concern with Francine is flooding…

Cut 12 (09) “…heavy rainfall.”

Officials in New Orleans have ordered a shelter in place that began at eleven o’clock this morning. They are asking the public to stay off the roads for their safety and to leave roadways clear for emergency and storm responders.

Hurricane Francine started to develop over the weekend and officially became a named storm on Monday. Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness spokesperson Mike Steele believes most residents along the coast are prepared…

Cut 4 (11) “…works.”

Francine is expected to make landfall in southeast Louisiana late this afternoon. Governor Jeff Landry urges the public not to relax, because it’s just a Cat 1 storm. A category one storm can have maximum sustained winds up to 95 miles per hour.

Attorney Liz Murrill is reminding everyone that price gouging is a crime and she says Louisiana takes it seriously…

Cut 9 (07)  “…enforce the law.”

The National Hurricane Center has released the latest on Category One Hurricane Francine. Maximum sustained winds are at 90 mph moving northeast at 13 mph. Little change in strength is expected before landfall this afternoon between Vermillion and Terrebonne Bays. The latest track shows a path running between Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

As Hurricane Francine makes landfall later today in St. Mary or Terrebonne parish. It will certainly produce power outages. Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Mike Steele says many trees were weakened by last year’s drought and will that lead to more limbs and trees falling on power lines???

Cut 3 (12) “…or whatever.”

Governor Jeff Landry announced the White House has approved the Emergency Declaration for the State of Louisiana covering Hurricane Francine related emergency measures. Landry says he appreciates President Biden’s quick approval of his request.

The rush to prepare for this storm has led to some empty gas pumps.  GasBuddy.com Analyst Patrick De Haan says if drivers see empty pumps, don’t worry supply is on the way…

Cut 6 (05) …with a handle over it.”

De Haan says he expects gas prices to continue to decrease over the new few weeks.

The attorney general of Louisiana has a stern warning for price gougers. Andrew Greenstein reports

Cut 2 (27) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Category One Hurricane Francine is expected to strengthen briefly to a Category 2 storm with winds of 100 mph before making Landfall this afternoon between Vermillion and Terrebonne Bays. A major concern is storm surge, expected between five and ten feet. The latest track shows a path through the Baton Rouge metro area and any eastward shift will bring more to metro New Orleans. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin…

Cut 26 (09) …biggest threat.

Leaders in the path of the storm say they’re ready. Morgan City Mayor Lee Dragna says they’ve been preparing for Francine’s arrival for a while now.

Cut 12 (07) “…everywhere we look.”

Dragna says the city has greatly improved equipment needed to drain the city.

Francine’s current track of the storm will take the center near St. Tammany Parish. President Mike Cooper is urging people to take any and all precautions.

Cut 15 (12) “…low-lying areas.”

Cooper is also urging people to stay off the roads as not to interfere with rescue and recovery operations.

Many gas stations are running out of fuel. GasBuddy.com Analyst Patrick De Haan says when so many drivers are attempting to fill up it causes delays and says if residents don’t need fuel there is no need to worry about filling up.  De Haan reminds residents of the best time to fill up if they don’t want to deal with empty pumps and long gas lines…

Cut 5 (11) “…refuel their tanks overnight.”

Motorists are urged to remain patient and stay informed as the storm moves closer.

The latest National Hurricane Center update shows Francine a category one hurricane with max sustained winds of 90 mph but she continues to strengthen moving northeast slightly faster at 12mph. Francine is expected to briefly intensify to a Category 2 storm with winds of 100 mph before making Landfall this afternoon between Vermillion and Terrebonne Bays. The latest track shows a path through the Baton Rouge metro area and an eastward shift will bring more to New Orleans. She is expected to weaken quickly as Francine moves Northeastward through the state.

Local leaders in the cities and parishes in the path of the storm say they’re ready. In Morgan City, where Weather Channel reporter Jim Cantore is taking up temporary residence, Mayor Lee Dragna says the city has greatly improved equipment needed to drain the city.

Cut 13 (09)  “…pump station now.”

In Terrebonne Parish, President Jason Bergeron has called from a mandatory evacuation for all Coastal areas Zone 1

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In Lafourche Parish a curfew is set from noon today until sunrise Thursday.

As Francine approaches the Louisiana coast, drivers are encountering increasing challenges at the pump, with many gas stations running out of fuel. The rush to prepare for the storm has led to long lines, with residents topping off tanks and filling gas containers for generators in anticipation of power outages.  GasBuddy.com Analyst Patrick De Haan says don’t worry…

Cut 4 (09) “…those gas stations.”

Storms like Francine can not only bring out the best in people; unfortunately, it can also bring out the worst in people. That’s the message of Attorney General Liz Murrill, who warns that price gouging is illegal.

Cut 7 (12) “…during the storm.”

Hurricane Francine is expected to strengthen to a Category 2 storm before making landfall this evening. The National Hurricane Center’s latest update shows sustained winds of 90 mph and continues its northeastward movement.

Tuesday Francine drifted more east but National Weather Service Meteorologist Hannah Lisney says she does not expect any additional significant shift in the path.

Cut 10 (12) “…at this point.”

In Terrebonne (TARE-ah-bone) Parish, President Jason Bergeron (BAA-zher-on) says if the storm passes to the east, that would be very good news.

Cut 14 (09) “…top of us.”

Lafourche Parish will be enforcing a curfew from noon today until sunrise Thursday.

Francine’s current track is expected take the center near St. Tammany Parish. President Mike Cooper is urging people to stay off the roads as not to interfere with rescue and recovery operations.

Cut 16 (12)   “…respond to emergencies.”

Tangipahoa Parish has opened shelters of last resort in Robert at Restoration Church, in Amite at Amite Community Center, and in the Village of Tangipahoa at Brown’s Chapel.

The attorney general of Louisiana has a stern warning for price gougers. Andrew Greenstein reports

Cut 2 (27) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Governor Jeff Landry announced the White House has approved the Emergency Declaration for the State of Louisiana covering Hurricane Francine related emergency measures. Landry says he appreciates President Biden’s quick approval of his request.

Hurricane Francine is expected to strengthen to a Category 2 storm before making landfall this evening. The National Hurricane Center’s latest update shows sustained winds of 90 mph and continues its northeastward movement.

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for Cameron Louisiana to the Mississippi Coast. Storm surge is expected to be five to ten feet.

Local leaders in the cities and parishes in the path of the storm say they’re ready. In Morgan City, where Weather Channel reporter Jim Cantore is taking up temporary residence, Mayor Lee Dragna says they’ve been preparing for Francine’s arrival for a while now.

Cut 12 (07) “…everywhere we look.”

The current track of the storm will take the center near St. Tammany Parish. President Mike Cooper is urging people to take any and all precautions.

Cut 15 (12) “…low-lying areas.”

Francine is bringing increasing challenges at the pump, with many gas stations running out of fuel. The rush to prepare for the storm has led to long lines.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Hurricane Francine is expected to strengthen to a Category 2 storm before making landfall this evening. The National Hurricane Center’s latest update shows sustained winds of 95 mph and continues its northeastward movement. In St. Mary Parish, city and parish leaders say they’re ready for Francine’s arrival. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Louisiana’s coast from Cameron to Grand Isle remains under a Hurricane warning with life threatening storm surge from five to ten feet and hurricane force winds expected.

In Lafourche Parish, a curfew will be enacted at noon today and end at Sunrise Thursday morning.

Francine strengthened to Hurricane Tuesday evening and throughout the day yesterday, Francine’s path shifted more and more to the east but National Weather Service Meteorologist Hannah Lisney says she does not expect any additional significant shift in the path.

Cut 10 (12) “…at this point.”

In anticipation of Francine’s arrival, Tangipahoa Parish is opening three shelters of last resort locations — in Robert, at Restoration Church, in Amite at Amite Community Center, and in the Village of Tangipahoa at Brown’s Chapel.

Storms like Francine can not only bring out the best in people; unfortunately, it can also bring out the worst in people. That’s the message of Attorney General Liz Murrill, who warns that price gouging is illegal.

Cut 7 (12) “…during the storm.”