Nicholas made landfall as a Category One Hurricane along the Texas coast during the overnight hours and it threatens to produce flooding rains in Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Jeff Palerlmo.” 

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FEMA is helping out Hurricane Ida storm victims when it comes to generator and chainsaw expenses. More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 2 (30)…I’m Dave Brannen.”  

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Tropical Storm Nicholas is moving slowly inland bringing the threat of rain over the next two says to the Bayou State. Nicholas made landfall early this morning along the southeast Texas coastline and has the potential to cause flooding in southwest Louisiana today. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso says they are prepared in case any residents find themselves in peril.

Cut 3 (12) “…may need”

Mancuso says they also have the National Guard in place to assist with any rescues if needed. While schools and government buildings in the parish are closed today in hopes of keeping motorists off the road today, Mancuso says first responders however are at work and prepared to assist.

Cut 4  (07) “…that happen.” 

Even though it’s extremely tempting to view damage left by a storm, Mancuso highly encourages residents to refrain from sightseeing because vehicle traffic can force water into homes in low-lying areas and that’s when most accidents occur.

Cut 5 (10) “…stranded.”

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The State Fire Marshal’s Office is prepared to take action if flooding rains from Tropical Storm Nicholas materialize as expected.  Spokesperson Ashley Rodrique says the staging of dozens of boats for potential water rescues took place Monday.

Cut 6 (10) “…come about first.” 

Rodrique says that’s expected to occur first in the Lake Charles area.  But, the area of flooding rains is likely to stretch across south Louisiana, so boat teams are prepared to act wherever rescue efforts are needed.

Rodrique says there are numerous assets ready for the call to service as heavy rains from Nicholas sweep across the state.

Cut 7 (12) “..home fire stationsl”  

Ashley Rodrique says the State Fire Marshal’s Office feels well prepared with other emergency crews to respond to whatever rescues are needed as Nicholas marches east with its likely flooding rains.

Cut 8 (06) “..first responder partners.”

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Tropical Storm Nicholas is whipping through southeast Texas, slowly heading towards Louisiana.  Nearly the entire the state is seeing rainfall, with south Louisiana experiencing heavier rainfall and stronger storms. Stacey Denson with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles says the center of the storm will not reach the Bayou State until tomorrow.

Cut 9 (06) “…we’re currently seeing.” 

And that would be light to moderate rainfall with some heavy pockets of rain now and then, with the potential for localized flooding.

Denson says a flash flood watch is in effect for the southern half of the state…

Cut 10 (07)   15 inches possible.” 

Denson says it might not be until Thursday until weather conditions improve.

Cut  11 (11)  “..we’re currently seeing.”  

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There’s help from FEMA available to those who qualify for reimbursement of generator or chainsaw purchases related to Hurricane Ida.  Agency spokesman Nate Custer says there are guidelines for say the maximum payout of 800-dollars for a generator.

Cut 12 (07) “of the disaster”  

And, in certain conditions, FEMA will provide a reimbursement of up to 250-dollars for chain saws needed to deal with trees downed blocking access to homes due to Ida.

If FEMA doesn’t approve your request for reimbursement for a generator and/or chainsaw related to Hurricane Ida, agency spokesman Nate Custer says there is an appeal process.

Cut 13 (10)    ought to get”

FEMA’s Nate Custer says there are restrictions for a storm victim to get a reimbursement for chainsaw rental or purchase because of Hurricane Ida.

Cut 14 (11) “… from your home” 

To qualify for FEMA reimbursements for generators or chainsaws, the purchases have to occur between August 26^th and September 25^th in the 25 disaster-designated parishes and because the homeowner has insufficient or no insurance.

As Tropical Storm Nicholas bears down on Southeast Texas for Southwest Louisiana the biggest threat is heavy rainfall.  Dave Brannen has more.

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A lawsuit filed on behalf of one of the more than 800 nursing home residents that were evacuated to a warehouse in Tangipahoa Parish during hurricane Ida also names the Louisiana Department of Health as defendants. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (32)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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Southwest Louisiana is under a Flash Flood Watch as Tropical Storm Nicholas heads up the southeast Texas coast.  Donovan Landreneau with the National Weather Service says the amount of rain the Bayou State could see could climb as high as 20 inches.  And, the storm surge could be an additional problem dished out by Nicholas.

Cut 3 (11) “..feet above normal.”

Landreneau says rain bands will likely tell the story of how much rain areas of the state will receive from Nicholas.

Cut 4  (08) “…even 20 inches.” 

Landreneau says it’s too early to say which areas of the state will be subjected to the heaviest rainfall as the official forecast track shows Nicholas twisting to the northeast as it exits Texas moving into central Louisiana.

Cut 5 (10) “..threat is there.”

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In Tangipahoa Parish, a Loranger man is charged with aggravated assault of a utility worker after branding a gun and threatening a lineman. TPSO Chief Jimmy Travis says it happened Friday evening on Highway 445 after 35-year-old Kendrick James refused to yield to a utility crew restoring power.

Cut 6 (12) “…of a utility worker.” 

The charge carries a penalty of a fine of not less than $2,000 and/or imprisoned for not less than one year nor more than three years.

Travis says this is not the first incident involving harassment of utility workers they’ve encountered. He says one man even threatened the power company on the phone.

Cut 7 (11) “..somewhat normal”  

While Travis admits it’s frustrating waiting to get power restored but harassing a utility worker is not the answer, he says it’s a complicated and lengthy process to restore power safely and he urges residents to be patient due to the outages.

Cut 8 (12) “..save us.”

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Baton Rouge attorney Ron Haley has filed a lawsuit on behalf of one of the more than 800 nursing home residents that were evacuated to a warehouse in Tangipahoa Parish during hurricane Ida. The suit names nursing homeowner Bob Dean and the Louisiana Department of Health as defendants. Haley says nursing homes in southern parts of the state are required to file an evacuation plan with the state.

Cut 9 (12) “…blows over.” 

Haley’s client is Darlene Franklin, who is currently in a nursing home in New Roads, was not only a resident in a Bob Dean facility but also a former employee.

Cut 10 (10)    a victim.” 

Inspectors with the health department visited the warehouse after they received reports of deteriorating conditions but were thrown off the property then returned the next day to relocate the more than 800 residents to properly equipped facilities across the state.

Seven residents have since died from the original evacuation to the warehouse.

Haley says Franklin told him not only were evacuees crowed into the warehouse and left on mattresses on the floor but they also weren’t given food or medication for two days.

Cut  11 (12) “..there did.”  

This is the second lawsuit filed against Dean, the first was a class action suit filed out of New Orleans. The state has since revoked the licenses of seven nursing homes owned by Dean that were evacuated to the warehouse.

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The Saints started the 2021 season with an impressive 38-3 victory over the Green Bay Packers in a game held in Jacksonville, Florida, because of the devastation in southeast Louisiana from Hurricane Ida. Quarterback Jameis Winston threw five touchdown passes and dedicates the victory to New Orleans

Cut 12 (12) “resilience”  

Linebacker Demario Davis hopes their statement win over one of the top teams in the NFC revives hope for those suffering in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida…

Cut 13 (09)    we’re one”

Running back Alvin Kamara rushed for 83 yards and had a touchdown. He says they knew Green Bay would not feel sorry for them because they’ve been displaced by Ida…

Cut 14 (12) “… work to do”