The 4 PM update shows Hurricane Delta is losing organization and now sits just 35 miles off the coast of Cameron Parish. The system is still expected to make landfall as a category two storm sometime in the next few hours and current projections show it weakening quickly once it moves inland to a tropical storm, but due to its sheer size we will likely be seeing tropical-storm-force winds across at least half of the state by 8 pm tonight.

Governor Edwards warns that we’ve already seen rain bands dump up to ten inches over parts of the Baton Rouge area and while only five to ten inches of rain are expected for most of the state it certainly is possible we could see isolated pockets of up to 15 inches of rains in some parts…

Cut 14, 02, the track

With rain bands now pummeling the southwest, we have flash flood warnings now in effect for Lake Charles, Sulphur, and Moss Bluff.

After Hurricane Laura, most of the fatalities that followed the storm were a result of generators. Brooke Thorington has tips on proper usage.

Cut 1 (31) “   I’m Brooke Thorington”  

State Climatologist Barry Keim says the good news is Delta won’t take long to leave due to its brisk 14 mile per hour pace…

Cut 7 (12) “…of time.”

Hurricane Delta is now just about five hours away from landfall in eastern Cameron Parish. Jeff Palermo spoke with storm-weary state leaders about the possibility for more damage just six weeks after Hurricane Laura…

cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Delta is now about 50 miles from the southwest Louisiana coast moving 14 miles per hour with 105 mile per hour winds. About 7,000 power line crews stand ready in the state to move into impacted regions to begin restoring power immediately after the system leaves the area.

While most of the focus for Delta is on the potential for heavy winds the storm could still generate pockets of intense rainfall of up to fifteen inches in some areas. About ten inches of rain fell north of Baton Rouge on Thursday night, flooding about 25 homes in Baker. Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness spokesperson Mike Steele says you don’t have to be in the direct path of Delta to be impacted…

Cut 9 (08) “be problems”

Governor Edwards warns residents to remain vigilant even after the storm leaves the state sometime early tomorrow. He says if you have to activate your generator don’t leave it indoors, and if heavy winds take down trees in your area don’t go out joyriding…

Cut 15 (13) “sight seeing” 

Hurricane Delta has fallen to category two strength and is not expected to once again become a major hurricane before it makes landfall in eastern Cameron parish within the next six hours. Despite the storm’s deterioration Governor Edwards warns residents not to start slacking off…

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State Climatologist Barry Keim says when Delta hits land wind speeds will still be a pretty dangerous 100 miles per hour…

Cut 8 (08) “…about Alexandria”

Delta is expected to move quickly once making it ashore, moving from southwest Louisiana through northeast Louisiana in just 14 hours, pushing hurricane force winds potentially as far out as Baton Rouge.

After Hurricane Laura, most of the fatalities that followed the storm were a result of generators. Brooke Thorington has tips on proper usage.

Cut 1 (31) “   I’m Brooke Thorington”  

Parts of Louisiana are already feeling the impacts of Delta with tropical storm force winds whipping the southwest coast and parts of the Baton Rouge area seeing heavy flooding due to a rain band that dropped up to eight inches of rain in just a few hours overnight.

Utility providers are prepping for yet another hurricane in an area still compromised by Laura just six weeks ago. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “   I’m Brooke Thorington”

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Those in the projected path of Hurricane Delta are not taking the storm lightly. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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Hurricane-force winds are expected to impact wide swaths of the state tonight. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (27)  “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

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Power restoration for areas of the state that were impacted by Hurricane Laura area once again in Delta’s path. Entergy CEO Phillip May says they completed repairs for most customers that were able to accept service last week in the Lake Charles area, but crews are still performing grid work.

Cut 4 (07) “…making there.”

May says approximately 75-percent of towers and transmission systems have been replaced with equipment to now withstand winds of 140-150mph, versus the previous 120mph winds.

Cut 5 (09) “…Hurricane Delta.”

Hurricane Delta is the second Hurricane to hit Celco’s service territory in six weeks. Celco Spokesperson Jennifer Cahill says they are prepared to respond for anticipated outages.

Cut 6 (10) “…a few.”

Cahill says trees that were not damaged during Hurricane Laura are still vulnerable and with Delta trailing so close behind they might not survive a second storm. Cahill says repair crews are on standby and ready to relocate for outages.

Cut 7 (06) “beginning repairs”

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Cameron Parish is just hours away from impact from Hurricane Delta and Sheriff Ron Johnson says the community is preparing for a wide variety of problems that can come with a storm.

Cut 8 (08) “…happen”

Johnson says the message to leave the parish has been one that the residents have taken extremely seriously with this storm.  Most have chosen to find other accommodations this weekend.

Cut 9 (11) “house”

The storm is still expected to pack a punch as it cuts across the state and into Mississippi.  Avoyelles Parish GOHSEP director Joey Frank says it is potential flooding issues that have caught the attention of the locals.

Cut 10 (07) “…sandbags”

Frank asks that people refrain from cruising the streets during or immediately after the storm.

Cut 11 (09) “…to”

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Hurricane Delta is on track to make landfall in Cameron Parish around 7 PM Friday night.

National Weather Service Meteorologist Ben Schott warns that the system is growing in size and it is likely we will see hurricane-force winds stretching from Lake Charles to Baton Rouge.

Cut 12 (11) “damage”

Storm surge could be as much as 11 feet in Vermillion Bay, and five to ten inches of rain could fall across southwest Louisiana, with pockets of up to 15 inches possible.

The current track has the storm hitting eastern Cameron Parish before curving to the northeast and passing near Alexandria before exiting through the Delta Parishes as a tropical storm. Schott says that means everyone in the state needs to pay attention…

Cut 13 (10) “…over.”

The system is expected to move at a brisk 15 to 17 mile per hour pace once it makes landfall and Schott says that means we won’t be suffering for long…

Cut 14 (09) “…conditions”

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Governor Edwards extends the current Phase Three COVID public health restrictions until November 6^th.

Edwards says at this point there’s not much more loosening that can be done until a vaccine is publicly available.

Cut 15 (11) “normal”

In one slight change alcohol sales are now allowed at sporting events in parishes that are eligible to open bars. 40 parishes have met the COVID test positivity rate to reopen bars. A process has begun to allow fairs and festivals to resume on a case by case basis, but all such events will be limited to 500 people at a time.

Edwards’ extension comes as there is an aggressive legislative effort to strip him of all or most of his public health authority. He says his orders are supported by the White House and not up for debate with lawmakers.

cut 16 (10) “right”

Bills that would reduce his public health authority have obtained majorities, but not veto-proof majorities, and a series of non-vetoable resolutions doing the same that have passed are likely to have to be resolved in court.

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After getting blown out by 31 points on the road against 22nd ranked BYU last Friday, La Tech returns to Joe Aillet Stadium tomorrow night to host Conference foe UTEP. Bulldogs coach Skip Holtz is looking for a bounce-back performance…

cut 17 (19) “plays’

After battling through a COVID outbreak a month ago, Holtz says they head into Saturday’s home game as healthy as they’ve been

cut 18 (16) ” nice job” 

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LSU is gearing up for a so-called home game in Missouri tomorrow as they face a Tigers team that is off to an 0-2 start. Mizzou is averaging just 16 points a game. LSU Safety Jacoby Stevens says Missouri tries to confuse opposing defenses…

cut 19 (23) “.of position” ‘

LSU’s offense performed well in last week’s 41-7 win over Vanderbilt. Senior Jontre Kirklin caught two TD passes and hopes to contribute more…

cut 20 (20) “.I’m saying”

Hurricane Delta is a category three storm but is expected to begin weakening as it approaches the shore. Landfall is still expected to be sometime around 7 PM in eastern Cameron Parish and Delta is expected to then begin a northern curve that takes it near Alexandria and into the Delta Parishes before crossing into Mississippi.

National Weather Service Meteorologist Ben Schott says hurricane-force gusts could be felt as far east as Baton Rouge, which should put most of the state on alert for potential wind damage and falling trees.

Cut 13 (10) “…over.”

The system is expected to move at a brisk 15 to 17 mile per hour pace once it makes landfall and Schott says that means we won’t be suffering for long…

Cut 14 (09) “…conditions”

Southwest Louisiana has only had the lights back on for a few weeks and now faces the prospect of once again losing power from a hurricane.  Entergy CEO Phillip May says approximately 75-percent of towers and transmission systems have been replaced with equipment to now withstand winds of 140-150mph, versus the previous 120mph winds.

Cut 5 (09) “…Hurricane Delta.”

Cleco Spokesperson Jennifer Cahill says trees that were not damaged during Hurricane Laura are still vulnerable and with Delta trailing so close behind they might not survive a second storm. Cahill says repair crews are on standby and ready to relocate for outages.

Cut 7 (06) “beginning repairs”

The Governor’s Phase Three public health order related to COVID has been extended into November. This comes as there is an active effort in the Legislature to undo the Governor’s ability to issue those orders.

Hurricane Delta is on track to make landfall in Cameron Parish around 7 PM tonight. National Weather Service Meteorologist Ben Schott warns that the system is growing in size and it is likely we will see hurricane-force winds stretching from Lake Charles to Baton Rouge.

Cut 12 (11) “damage”

Storm surge could be as much as 11 feet in Vermillion Bay, and five to ten inches of rain could fall across southwest Louisiana, with pockets of up to 15 inches possible.

Cameron Parish Sheriff Ron Johnson says the community is preparing for a wide variety of problems that can come with a storm.

Cut 8 (08) “…happen”

The Governor’s Phase Three public health order has been extended into November.

Crews are standing by to restore power in the wake of Hurricane Delta, with many of those who lost power during Laura again facing the prospect of losing power again. Entergy CEO Phillip May says they completed repairs for most customers that were able to accept service last week in the Lake Charles area, but crews are still performing grid work.

Cut 4 (07) “…making there.”

May says approximately 75-percent of towers and transmission systems have been replaced with equipment to now withstand winds of 140-150mph.

Celco Spokesperson Jennifer Cahill says they are prepared to respond for anticipated outages.

Cut 6 (10) “…a few.”

Cahill says trees that were not damaged during Hurricane Laura are still vulnerable and with Delta trailing so close behind they might not survive a second storm.

Hurricane Delta is set to cut a swath from eastern Cameron Parish all the way up to the Delta parishes after it makes landfall Friday around 7 PM. While the cone of uncertainty has narrowed for its path Governor Edwards warns the system is quickly growing wider and will likely result in hurricane-force winds stretching across large portions of the state, and storm surge issues across the southwest and central coastline.

Cut 14 (12) “…Port Fourchon”

Heavy winds are expected to begin impacting southwest Louisiana as early as 8 AM Friday morning. Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter says the city is under a mandatory evacuation order, but you may be out of time if you are still planning to leave…

Cut 11 (06) “…today to evacuate.”

Calcasieu, Allen, Jeff Davis, and Cameron parishes are all under mandatory evacuation orders but the Governor warns not to leave your house once tropical-storm-force winds enter your area.

Voluntary evacuation orders are in place for residents of Acadia and Lafayette parishes ahead of Delta’s Friday landfall in eastern Cameron Parish. Lafayette Consolidated Government spokesperson Jamie Angelle says if you must stay you can, but Friday likely won’t be very pleasant…

Cut 3 (08)  “…area”  

Lafayette will implement a curfew starting at 12 PM Friday lasting until 6 AM Saturday morning.

Acadia Sheriff KP Gibson says he’s already seen residents in the flood-prone southern portion of the parishes leaving, and they’re moving inmates out of the parish into facilities in north Louisiana…

Cut 5 (07) “…doing.”

National Weather Service Lake Charles meteorologist Chanelle Stigger says just in case you’re holding out hope for Delta to take a westward turn for Texas…

Cut 7 (08) “…couple of advisories.”

Per the 10 PM update, Hurricane Delta is not expected to be at major hurricane strength when it makes landfall in eastern Cameron Parish around 7 PM Friday, but forecasts still show the system moving rapidly through the state maintaining at least tropical storm strength as it cuts from southwest Louisiana to Alexandria and up into the Delta Parishes.

You are just about out of time if you live in southwest Louisiana and want to evacuate ahead of Delta. While mandatory evacuation orders are in effect in Calcasieu, Cameron, Allen, and Jeff Davis Parishes if you’re still in the region you might want to start looking at hunkering down as heavy winds should begin impacting the coast as soon as 8 AM tomorrow morning.

Acadia Parish Sheriff KP Gibson says if you’re sticking around for the storm now is the time to do one last check to make sure you are prepped and ready to ride it out…

Cut 6 (11) “…before.”

Acadia and Lafayette Parishes are currently only under voluntary evacuation orders.

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter is warning residents not to let hurricane fatigue keep them from leaving the city ahead of Delta’s landfall. Hunter says the sheer volume of debris still in the open in the parish makes staying behind a dangerous proposition with hurricane-force winds in the forecast. He says this year just feels like a bad dream, but this storm is very real…

Cut 12 (09) “…it happens bad.”

Governor Edwards echoed that sentiment saying it’s just unlucky that the already reeling people of southwest Louisiana are being put through the wringer once again. He says he hopes Cameron and Calcasieu will not have to bear the brunt of this storm…

Cut 13 (11) “…very tired”

Edwards also noted earlier today that the state will be extending its current Phase Three public health order and restrictions into November.

Calcasieu, Allen, Cameron, and Jeff Davis Parishes are all under mandatory evacuation orders. Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter understands your frustrations…

cut 2 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

Forecasts show Delta has slowed down from its previously blistering pace and is cruising at about 12 miles per hour just 300 miles south of Cameron Parish where it is expected to make landfall late Friday evening.

The National Hurricane Center is growing increasingly confident Delta will make landfall somewhere within Cameron Parish Friday with a very high likelihood that it will hit within 25 miles of where Laura struck just six weeks ago. National Weather Service Lake Charles meteorologist Chanelle Stigger…

Cut 7 (08) “…couple of advisories.”

Stigger says the biggest problem appears to be wind damage with sustained speeds of 90-100 miles per hour, with gusts up to 120, but Delta will bring other issues.

Cut 8 (08) “…threat for tornadoes.”

the storm is now anticipated to remain at Hurricane strength as far north as Alexandria, and keep tropical storm strength as it passes through the Delta Parishes.