The fall elections have been pushed back due to hurdles created by Hurricane Ida. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

______________________________________

Southwest Louisiana residents ravaged by Hurricane Laura could receive more federal relief dollars to fund the rebuilding of homes and businesses.  Dave Brannen has more

Cut 2 (35)…I’m Dave Brannen”  

______________________________________

The October primary in Louisiana is officially postponed to November due to hurdles imposed by Hurricane Ida. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin’s plan, approved by the Governor, moves the primary from October 9^th to November 13^th and the November 13^th election to December 11^th.

Cut 3 (11) “…and food.”

Ardoin says they are still surveying polling locations for safety and electricity, and some of the hardest-hit areas might not be back online until October. While October 9^th might seem like enough time there are a number of deadlines that fall before an election.

Cut 4  (11) “..an issue.” 

Ardoin says he’s heard from several civic groups in support of postponing the election, but he admits he has received feedback from some candidates and advertisers who are not in favor of the postponement.

Cut 5 (10) “…importance.”

The June primary in 2020 was postponed for COVID mitigation measures and 16 years ago the fall election was also postponed due to Katrina.

_____________________________________

There’s great news today for southwest Louisiana residents awaiting much-needed federal dollars for still ongoing repairs from Hurricane Laura last year.  Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter says the White House is requesting Congress send two-point-three-billion-dollars to the region.

Cut 6 (07) “…huge step forward.” 

But, Hunter says it’ll probably be next year before the funds begin to flow into the Bayou State since there are quite a few hurdles to clear on Capitol Hill before the money wins final approval.

Hunter says the more than two-billion-dollars, if given final approval, should have as a top goal of getting people back in their homes.

Cut 7 (12) “…a top priority”  

Given all those that must sign off on the Biden administration’s disaster relief funding to help post-Laura victims, Mayor Hunter says it’ll be a while before the money spigot is turned on.

Cut 8 (07) “…hits the streets.”

_______________________

Ten days into the restoration effort, the Louisiana Public Service Commission reports 345-thousand utility customers in southeast Louisiana are without power. That’s down from more than one million outages after Hurricane Ida roared through the Bayou State. Entergy Louisiana CEO Phillip May says electricity is finally flowing again in Lafourche Parish…

Cut 9 (06) “…been restored” 

Over 94-percent of the utility customers in Lafourche, Terrebonne, St. Charles, and St. John the Baptist Parish are without power. In Tangipahoa Parish, about 50-percent of the customers are without power. May says they have updated restoration times…

Cut 10 (12)    Hurricane Ida” 

May says they hope to make significant progress in St. Charles Parish soon,

Cut  11 (12) “..of power.”  

_______________________

Terrebonne Parish does not have a fully functioning hospital since Hurricane Ida came ashore on August 29th. Terrebonne General sustained considerable roof, water and electrical damage and Ochsner Chief Medical Officer Doctor Robert Hart says the Chabert Medical Center in Houma took a significant hit from the storm

Cut 12 (12) “services there”  

Ochsner St. Anne Hospital in Raceland and Lady of the Sea in Galliano are also closed. Hart says St. Mary Hospital in Morgan City has been a success story as they have double the patients…

Cut 13 (11)       St. Mary”

Ochsner Health President Warner Thomas says it will take some time for health care access to improve in the Bayou Region of the state….

Cut 14 (11) “…in Houma”

Lafourche Parish is continuing to struggle to get its power back on and communications back to some semblance of normal.  More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 1 (38) “ …I’m Dave Brannen” 

______________________________________

The Louisiana Public Service Commission says there are over 430-thousand customers without power, nine days after the storm made landfall. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

______________________________________

Power is still out for all of Lafourche Parish.  That’s the word this morning from Sheriff’s Captain Brennen Matherne.

Cut 3 (12) “…spotty at best.”

Matherne says that low water pressure has been also a problem outside the Thibodaux area but most of that has been corrected.

Cut 4  (10) “..in the evening” 

There has been some lawlessness in Lafourche, as is to be expected during a disaster situation.  Matherne notes there have been several looting arrests and nearly 50 others on other charges including curfew violations.

Cut 5 (12) “…by night contractor.”

If you suspect contractor fraud you can report it to a hotline number 985-413-4498.

_____________________________________

The average price per gallon for regular gas in the Bayou State stands at $2.88. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says prices are starting to stabilize but meeting demand has been the biggest hurdle in the state since Ida.

Cut 6 (09) “…$3.00 a gallon.” 

While some gas stations might have fuel they are without a source of power, thus are unable to provide gas to the pumps. Redman says distribution is the problem.

Cut 7 (09) “…areas”  

Redman says he hasn’t heard of any reports of price gouging on gas but advises you to contact the AG’s office if you do see any gouging. He says though it will take time for all the rigs and refineries to get back up and running in Louisiana is anticipates it will be about a month.

Cut 8 (12) “…really healthy.”

_______________________

The Louisiana Public Service Commission says over 430-thousand homes and businesses are without power. Power is out for at least 95-percent of the customers in Terrebonne, Lafourche, St. Charles, and St. John Parishes. But Entergy Louisiana President Phillip May says electricity is flowing again in LaPlace

Cut 9 (08) “…progress” 

May says they anticipate making a great deal of progress in Tangipahoa Parish, where 60-percent of the customers are still without power.

In Orleans Parish, about a quarter of Entergy customers are without power. Entergy VP for Distribution Operations John Hawkins says restoring power to Algiers and Venetian Isles in New Orleans will take some time. He says Venetian Isles is a total rebuild…

Cut 10 (12)    to be replace” 

Based on Entergy’s restoration times, there are customers in Lafourche Parish, Lower Jefferson Parish, St. Charles Parish, Terrebonne and much of Plaquemines Parish will not see their electricity return until September 29th. May says the goal is to beat that restoration time

Cut  11 (10) “…sooner than that”  

_______________________

Over 35-thousand residents of South Louisiana have applied with FEMA for a large tarp, to cover roof damage from the weather. Mike Steele, with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness, says amateurs are already putting up tarps of their own, but he advises applying for the professional help…:

Cut 12 (08) “the right way”  

Installations of FEMA Blue Roof tarps begin Wednesday, but there is some rain looming in the southeast Louisiana forecast. Though some have done a good job protecting their roof with a tarp, Steele says contacting FEMA gives you a better chance of fewer leaks while awaiting your roof repairs…:

Cut 13 (08) “..of this program”

The first step in getting a FEMA tarp installed is to contact FEMA at 800-321-3362 (321-FEMA) or go online at “DisasterAssistance.gov”. Steele says don’t delay if you suspect your roof may have been compromised…:

Cut 14 (12) “…another problem””