Terrebonne parish, among the hardest hit by Ida, is still working around the clock to return to a sense of normalcy, though that’s expected to take years to accomplish.  An update from Dave Brannen.

Cut 1 (27) “ …I’mDave Brannen.” 

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There are concerns that Ida could impact the population in southeast Louisiana, similar to Katrina 16-years ago. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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A lot of trees fell victim to Hurricane Ida’s wrath as way too many property owners know about it firsthand. But, Whitney Wallace, an LSU AgCenter Forestry and Wildlife agent, says the damaged and felled trees, particularly on the North Shore, have impacted landowners and agricultural and livestock producers.

Cut 3 (08) “…you’re seeing around.”

Wallace says the AgCenter, along with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, is continuing to assess the dollar damage with the biggest economic impact expected to be to the agricultural infrastructure and timber.

Cut 4  (10) “…course Tangipahoa Parish.” 

Wallace says landowners are pretty familiar with having to deal with downed trees, the worst most recent example prior to Ida was all the timber that Katrina felled 16 years ago.

Cut 5 (11) “…as we can.”

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The Pfizer vaccine trial for children ages five to eleven indicates promising results. Pfizer is expected to ask the FDA for emergency use authorization in the coming weeks. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says there’s been a significant increase in COVID cases among that age group especially with school back in session.

Cut 6 (11) “…individuals.” 

Hassig says the FDA asked Pfizer to extend the pediatric vaccine trial by two months so they would have more data to review, even though there is great anticipation to allow those ages five to eleven to be vaccinated.

Cut 7 (11) “…too important.”  

In the pediatric trial, children were given the same vaccine as adults, but at a lower dosage. Hassig says parents should be reassured that the FDA will review the data carefully before issuing any type of authorization.

Cut 8 (11) “…timely.”

Since July pediatric cases in the United States have increased by 240-percent.

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Terrebonne Parish is continuing its recovery efforts more than three weeks after Hurricane Ida tore up the coastal area.  Parish spokesman, Mart Black, says while most of the power is back and water has been mostly restored, housing for storm victims is the biggest problem.

Cut 9 (10) “…into the parish” 

Black says Ida left Terrebonne Parish completely in the dark, but today only 16-percent of utility customers don’t have electricity. He gives credit to the power companies…

Cut 10 (09)    the parish” 

He says the hope is to have power restored to everyone whose home or business can safely receive it by September 29^th.

Black says one thing that’s getting back to normal in Terrebonne is residential garbage pickup, and he says a contractor is working to clear the curbs of storm debris stacked up by homeowners.

Cut  11 (10)  “…to permitted sites.”  

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There are growing concerns of permanent population loss in southeastern coastal parishes after Hurricane Ida. Demographer Greg Rigamer says Ida was a devastating blow and it will be very difficult for Lafourche, Terrebonne, St. Charles, and St. John Parishes to recover.

Cut 12 (12) “…the basis.”  

Since Katrina, the area has suffered devastating effects from Gustav, Isaac, and now Ida. Rigamer, who is a New Orleans resident, says right now he’d guess up to a hundred thousand could leave the coastal parishes permanently.

Cut 13 (08) “…southeast Louisiana.”

The recent population shift however should not impact voting districts. Rigamer says the numbers for redistricting that will be discussed by lawmakers next year are based on the 2020 Census data.

Cut 14 (09) “…redistricting” 

In New Orleans, more than half of the population left after Katrina close to 250 thousand. Rigamer says he believes the population in non-levee protected parishes will diminish after Ida.

The three-week interview process for DSNAP benefits related to Hurricane Ida victims gets underway today and wraps up on October 9^th. Dave Brannen spoke with DCFS Assistant Secretary Shavanna Howard…

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Researchers at LSU have created a prediction model for hurricanes in the gulf. Brooke Thorington has more

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State wildlife agents want deer hunters to help in detecting a fatal illness spreading through herds across the south. Kevin Gallagher reports you COULD win some cash.

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Like other parishes in southeast Louisiana, St. John the Baptist Parish is undergoing several hurdles with recovery from Hurricane Ida. Parish President Jaclyn Hotard says about 90-percent of the parish has power and their water systems have been restored but they remain under a boil water advisory.

Cut 4 (08) “…advisories soon,”

As for regular debris removal, so far, the parish has removed 150-thousand cubic yards of debris.

Hotard says like other surrounding parishes one of the biggest obstacles they are facing is the great need to speed up household trash pickup and to assist she’s issued an emergency bid to have trash removed ASAP.

Cut 5 (10) “…to say it nicely.”

Hotard says FEMA is embedded in the parish assisting residents with their applications and they are also beginning to see progress with the blue roof program. She says nineteen have been installed so far of the more than two thousand requested.

The parish broke ground on a levee this year that is expected to be completed in 2024. Hotard says a completed structure would have made a difference with Hurricane Ida.

Cut 6 (10) “…Lake Pontchartrain.”

The $750-million levee is being paid for with a combination of federal and state funds.

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Starting today, households in ten Louisiana parishes impacted by Hurricane Ida can apply for disaster food stamps. DCFS Assistant Secretary Shavana Howard says residents with last names starting with A-to-F in East Baton, Iberia, Orleans, St. Tammany, Washington and five other parishes can call the L-A Help-U Customer Service center to apply and be interviewed…

Cut 7 (06) “..quickly as possible.”

Applicants for DSNAP interviews should call 1-888-524-3578 and have financial and personal information available.

Howard says DSNAP interviews will take place six days a week through October 9th. She says check the Department of Children and Family Services website for the day you can apply…

Cut 8 (08) “…DSNAP”

Howard says DSNAP benefits are available to those who live in one of the 25 parishes declared a federal disaster area. She says disaster food stamps are designed to help Ida victims buy groceries due to lost income or damages as a result of the storm.

Cut 9 (08)  “…at your expenses.”

You can pre-register at www.dcfs.la.gov/DSNAP

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LSU Researchers have developed a new model to determine if the Gulf coast will see an active hurricane season. It looks at  atmospheric temperatures in the spring. Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences assistant professor Paul Miller says while NOAA and Colorado State University both issue storm predictions their outlook pertains to all Atlantic storms not specifically those impacting the gulf.

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Miller says they researched weather data all the way back to 1980 and compared atmospheric temperatures from previous hurricanes.

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Miller when they were able to identify the pattern of previous gulf atmospheric temperatures and the number of storms that made landfall in the Gulf.

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Miller says looking at atmospheric temperatures to predict hurricanes in the gulf appears to be more accurate for predicting gulf storms. Miller hopes in addition to NOAA and CSU that LSU will be added to the upcoming hurricane forecast.

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Louisiana is offering hunters the chance to win money by assisting the state in its surveillance efforts for Chronic Wasting Disease in deer. LDWF Deer Program Manager Johnathan Bordelon says hunters and taxidermists will be entered into a contest to win up to $1000 when they submit a sample from a mature buck harvested this deer season…

Cut 13 (12) “…they so chose”

Bordelon says submitting a sample of your deer for research could win you a gift card for $1000 or $500. CWD has not yet been detected among Louisiana’s deer herd but has been in most of our bordering states. He says LDWF is being vigilant to determine IF Louisiana deer are affected…:

Cut 14 (09)  “…across the state.”

Bordelon says to submit the animal’s head with at least three inches of neck to any LDWF Field Office. He says samples from doe season will not be collected…:

Cut 15 (09)  “…great news.”

Hunters will also need to provide details of WHERE the sample buck was bagged. More information is online at “LWF.Louisiana.gov”.

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As good as the Saints in their week one win over Green Bay, they were just as bad yesterday in a 26-7 loss to the Carolina Panthers. New Orleans had just 128 yards of total offense and they hit Quarterback Jameis Winston 11 times and sacked him four times. Winston was also intercepted twice. Coach Sean Payton takes the blame for the loss

Cut  16 (16) “…football game.”

Saints offensive tackle Terron Armstead says communication problems led to the pressure the Panthers defense put on Winston…

Cut 17 (19) “…communication”  

The Saints did not have eight offensive assistants at the game because of COVID protocols. Running back Alvin Kamara says the players can’t use that as an excuse…

Cut 18 (17)”…it is what is.”

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LSU Quarterback Max Johnson threw for 372 yards and five touchdowns as the Fighting Tigers offense came to life in a 48-21 win over Central Michigan. Freshman Deion Smith had two touchdown catches and fellow freshman Jack Bech had a great-handed one-handed grab in the end zone. Bech believes they can build momentum from Saturday’s performance

Cut 19 (20)  “…the field.” 

Kayshon Boutte was LSU’s leading receiver with six catches, but the Tigers showed off their depth at wide receiver as Smith, Bech and Devonta Lee each had five catches. Brian Thomas had two catches for 50 yards. Quarterback Max Johnson says an adjustment on offense helped them spread the ball around…

Cut 20 (12)  “…throughout the game”