Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry is asking the public’s help as he investigates the deaths of nursing home residents evacuated to a warehouse in Tangipahoa Parish for Hurricane Ida. Six patients died; their deaths are listed as “Ida-related”, but Landry asks anyone with information on the facility or what happened to come forward. Meanwhile LDH has revoked the licenses of the seven nursing homes involved and has terminated their Medicaid agreements. More as it develops.

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

CUT 09(08)       “..progress”

Still he says it could be month’s end before ALL power is back on.

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 01  ((38)      “Brannen”

FEMA will begin installing the familiar Blue Roof tarps for some 35-thousand homes who’ve applied for them. GOHSEP says don’t delay in applying for one if you suspect your roof may have been compromised. Go online at Disaster Assistance.gov.

Nine days after Hurricane Ida made land fall and the state’s Public Service Commission says over 430-thousand customers are still without power. Jeff Palermo reports…:

CUT 02  (30)        “…Jeff Palermo”

If you’ve found yourself spending more money than usual because of Hurricane Ida, chances are FEMA can reimburse you. The federal agency will consider claims for up to $800 for generators and up to $250 for chainsaws. You can also get a $500 check to cover food, water, prescription drugs and evacuation expenses. Look online at Disaster Assistance.gov.

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

CUT 03(12)        “spotty at best”

Matherne says a widespread problem with low water pressure has been largely fixed, but not parish wide. He also reports some looting arrests and about 50 other charges, including curfew violations.

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 some homeowners have done a good job protecting their roof with a tarp, but contacting FEMA gives you a better chance of less leaks while awaiting your roof repairs…:

CUT 13  (08)       “of this program”

Call 800-321-FEMA or online at DisasterAssistance.gov

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 tarps up, but he advises applying for the profession help…:

CUT 12  (08)        “the right way”

FEMA will begin installing the Blue Roof tarps tomorrow. If you need a tarp for your damaged roof, go to DisasterAssistance.gov or call 800-321-FEMA

The state Department of health reports two more Hurricane Ida-related deaths; both in St. Tammany Parish. One man fell off his roof while affecting repairs. The other died from lack of oxygen during a long period with no power. This brings the total Ida deaths to 15 in Louisiana.

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 09  (12)        “…progress”

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 is still a huge hurdle. He says it could take about a month to get refining and distribution back up to normal…:

CUT 08(12)      “..really healthy”

Some stations have abundant fuel, but no power yet with which to pump it.

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

Cut 1 (38) “…I’m Dave Brannen” 

A two-year-old that was reported missing on Labor Day afternoon was found later in the deceased in a swimming pool. The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office says the toddler was located at The Reserve at White Oak apartment complex in Baton Rouge. The case remains under investigation and deputies presume the boy drowned.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission says over 430-thousand homes and businesses are 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 replaced” 

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, especially in areas with power outages. Redman says distribution is the problem.

Cut 7 (09) “…areas”  

There has been some lawlessness in Lafourche Parish amid the destruction of Hurricane Ida, as is to be expected during a disaster situation.  Sheriff’s Captain Brennen 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.

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. Entergy’s Phillip May says the goal is to beat that restoration time

Cut  11 (10) “…sooner than that”  

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.” 

FEMA says it has approved more than 159-thousand applications for disaster assistance and nearly 175-million dollars to help Louisiana residents recover. FEMA spokesperson Patrick Boland says if you were impacted by Hurricane Ida, you should register at disasterassistance.gov…

cut 12 (11) “….register anyway”

You can also register at 1-800-621-FEMA.

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” 

Power to the people is still slow to come for a lot of folks in Lafourche Parish.  That’s the word this morning from Sheriff’s Captain Brennen Matherne. He 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” 

Some Hurricane Ida storm survivors are receiving 500-dollars from FEMA after registering for disaster aid…

Cut 11 (09) “….advantage of this..”
FEMA spokesperson Patrick Boland says critical needs assistance goes to individuals displaced from their primary residence to help pay for life-sustaining items, like water, food, infant formula, medicine, and fuel.

SNAP recipients in 18 parishes impacted by Hurricane Ida will receive automatic additional benefits due to power outages that affected at least half the residents in the parish. Assistant Secretary for the Division of Family Support at Department of Children and Family Services, Shavana Howard says the USDA approved the waiver.

Cut 13 (11) “…month of August.”

She says they should see that benefit on their card by September 11^th.

Power to the people is still slow to come for a lot of folks in Lafourche Parish.  That’s the word this morning from Sheriff’s Captain Brennen Matherne.

Cut 3 (12) “…spotty at best.”

The state health department and the Louisiana Attorney General’s office are looking into the evacuation of over 800 nursing home residents from seven different facilities to a warehouse in Tangipahoa Parish. Even though L-D-H approved plans to evacuate nursing home residents to that site, state health officials say the plan was not properly executed. Governor John Bel Edwards says it’s not easy to evacuate a nursing home, but dozens of facilities did it successfully…

Cut 8 (10) “…safely.”

Power outages from Hurricane Ida have spurred talk of moving power lines underground. Public Service Commission Chairman Doctor Craig Green says he supports studying the feasibility of moving equipment underground, but it will take federal assistance because Louisiana utility customers already believe their rates are high…

Cut 6 (12) “…the table.”

SNAP recipients in 18 parishes impacted by Hurricane Ida will receive automatic additional benefits due to power outages Assistant Secretary for the Division of Family Support at DCFS Shavana Howard says the benefit should be available on their SNAP card by September 11^th and if you aren’t in the 18 parishes but lost power…

Cut 14 (11) “dcfs.la.gov/SNAPstorms.”

Progress continues to be made in getting the power restored after Hurricane Ida. But many are asking why can’t utility companies just move the infrastructure to distribute power underground. Don Molino reports it’s not that easy
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Don Molino.”

The Louisiana Public Service Commission says over 430-thousand customers are still without power. Power is out for at least 95-percent of the customers in St. John, St. Charles, Lafourche, and Terrebonne Parishes.

The Louisiana Department of Health is still in its early stages of an investigation into the evacuation of over 800 nursing home residents to a facility in Tangipahoa Parish that could not handle that many residents and conditions quickly deteriorated once generators started failing. Governor John Bel Edwards…
cut 9 (09) “…every turn”
There have been seven deaths linked to this particular evacuation.

FEMA says it has approved more than 158-thousand applications for disaster assistance and nearly 171-million dollars to help Louisiana residents recover. FEMA spokesperson Patrick Boland says if you were impacted by Hurricane Ida, you should register at disasterassistance.gov…
cut 12 (11) “….register anyway”
You can also register at 1-800-621-FEMA.

If you live in a parish impacted by Hurricane Ida, you might be eligible for $500 from FEMA. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

FEMA is also reimbursing people who bought chainsaws and generators as a result of Hurricane Ida. FEMA says applicants could get up to 800-dollars for generators and 250-dollars for chainsaws. But if you use insurance money to purchase a chainsaw or generator, then you are not eligible.

The state health department and the Louisiana Attorney General’s office are looking into the evacuation of over 800 nursing home residents from seven different facilities to a warehouse in Tangipahoa Parish. Even though L-D-H approved plans to evacuate nursing home residents to that site, state health officials say the plan was not properly executed. Governor John Bel Edwards says it’s not easy to evacuate a nursing home, but dozens of facilities did it successfully…
cut 8 (10) “….safely”

Food stamp recipients who live in parishes that experienced major power outages will receive an automatic 55-percent increase in their monthly allotment. Shavana Howard with D-C-F-S says the U-S-D-A recognized a lot of families lost food when the power went out for several days…
cut 15 (07) “…their families”
Howard says food stamp recipients should receive the extra allotment by Saturday.

Many people who are registering for disaster aid with FEMA are receiving 500-dollars in what is called critical needs assistance. FEMA spokesperson Patrick Boland says they are distributing the money to help pay for water, food, first aid, medical supplies, and fuel…
cut 10 (12) “….unmet needs”
Anyone who has been impacted by Ida should register with FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA or through the FEMA app. There’s also disaster-assistance-dot-gov.

The Times-Picayune and The Advocate reports the Louisiana Department of Health approved Bob Dean’s plans to evacuate as many as 700 nursing home residents to a warehouse in Independence, but L-D-H says the plan was not properly executed for Hurricane Ida. Governor John Bel Edwards had this to say about the situation…
Cut 7 (09)…we should”
The state health department says there have been seven nursing home deaths connected to the evacuation.

The extensive and lengthy power outages from Hurricane Ida have spurred talk of moving power lines below the surface and building an electrical grid system underground. Public Service Commission Chairman Doctor Craig Greene says the cost would be enormous
ut 4 (12) “…basis is.”
President Biden says there are dollars available to make the state’s power system more resilient in the infrastructure bill that’s waiting for Congress’ approval.

SNAP recipients in 18 parishes impacted by Hurricane Ida will receive automatic additional benefits due to power outages that affected at least half the residents in the parish. Assistant Secretary for the Division of Family Support at Department of Children and Family Services, Shavana Howard says the USDA approved the waiver.
Cut 13 (11) “…month of August.”