Governor Edwards warns Hurricane Laura is projected to bring devastation not seen in southwest Louisiana since Hurricane Audrey in 1957. Laura is now a category four that Edwards says is likely to create two-story-high storm surge.

Cut 12 (11) “…parish”

More on the storm surge here’s Jeff Palermo

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Entergy has a few tips for customers ahead of the storm on how you can prepare for anticipated outages in addition to downloading their app and charging your smartphone. CEO Phillip May says there are some settings you can change on your refrigerator and freezer.

Cut 10 (06) “…colder.”

He also suggests freezing bottles of water and placing them in your freezer and refrigerator to help preserve food longer.

Southwest Louisiana is bracing for historic damage and Congressman Garret Graves says the feds are preparing to rush in financial aid to businesses who are already on the brink.

Cut 7 (07) “…back”

The National Weather Service warns up to 20 feet of storm surge is possible in parts of southwest Louisiana due to Hurricane Laura which is not survivable.

The warnings pertaining to Hurricane Laura are grim. The National Hurricane Center is forecasting a storm surge of up to 20 feet which they say is unsurvivable for those living along the coast. Laura is expected to make landfall near the Louisiana-Texas line late tonight, early tomorrow morning and maintain hurricane strength as it moves over Toledo Bend. Benjamin Schott with the National Weather Service says hurricane-force winds will be felt in Alexandria and south of Shreveport…
Cut 5 (12) “…the best”
Schott says a lot of structures, power lines, and trees will be knocked down.

Laura will leave thousands without power. Entergy CEO Philip May says they have thousands of workers ready to restore electricity…
cut 9 (09) “…in Louisiana”

The National Hurricane Center warns up to 20 feet of storm surge is possible in parts of southwest Louisiana due to Hurricane Laura. Congressman Garret Graves says unlike southeast Louisiana, southwest Louisiana does not have an extensive network of levees.
cut 6 (12) “harm’s way”
Graves says Laura will also produce additional coastal land loss.

Governor Edwards has just wrapped up a press briefing where he announced COVID Phase two restrictions will be extended for another two weeks. The state is reporting 844 new cases and 33 deaths today.

Hurricane Laura is currently a category 3 but is expected to reach Category 4 strength before making landfall late tonight or early Thursday around the Louisiana/Texas state line. Governor John Bel Edwards.

Cut 15 (08) “…be most pronounced.” 

The National Hurricane Central says storm surge could be up to 20 feet in some places which is unsurvivable.

It is estimated that that 70 percent of the area south of I-10 in the region are expected to flood because of Hurricane Laura. Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter warned it is highly likely the area will see severe damage to critical infrastructure.

Cut 5 (11)  “…services.”

The region has not seen a storm like this since Rita in 2005.

Once Laura makes landfall it will head north and Joel Cline with the National Hurricane Center says it will produce heavy rainfall, a half a foot could fall in a short amount of time…

Cut 4 (10)“ …flash flooding” 

Damage from Hurricane Laura will not just be contained to southwest Louisiana. The National Hurricane Center predicts Laura will be a tropical storm in northwest Louisiana tomorrow afternoon.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

Hurricane Laura continues to strengthen and it’s expected to become an extremely dangerous Category Four storm before it makes landfall late tonight and early tomorrow morning near Louisiana-Texas state line. Joel Cline with the National Hurricane Center says Laura will produce catastrophic storm surge…
cut 3 (11) “…unsurvivable”
The 20-foot storm surge could be felt in Vermilion Parish too. Governor Edwards says I-10 through Lake Charles may flood, so people need to get out now. Edwards says the state has been able to find hotels for one-thousand people so far…
cut 16 (08) “…appreciative of that”
But Edwards says he’s concerned with the number of people who have decided to ride the storm out.

Hurricane Laura’s winds have reached 125 miles per hour and further strengthening is expected. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso says this storm could be worse than Hurricane Rita.…
cut 7 (09) “….help you”
As of ten AM, the center of Laura was 225 miles south-southeast of Lake Charles and moving northwest at 16 miles per hour.

It’s all hands on deck for the Cajun Navy as water rescues will be likely after Laura passes. They have been instrumental in helping with other natural disasters. Cajun Navy Relief Founder Colleen Udell says this response will be different as COVID-19 spread mitigation efforts will be part of their operations.
Cut 9 (10) “…these critical rescues.”

Hurricane Laura has strengthened to a Category Three storm and there’s a possibility it could be a Category Four storm when it makes landfall near the Louisiana/Texas border early Thursday morning…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Laura is expected to move into northwest Louisiana tomorrow afternoon. Caddo Emergency Preparedness Deputy Director Robert Jump says people need to prepare for winds over 40-miles per hour…
cut 12 (10) “….wind”

Southwest Louisiana is bracing for a hurricane that could produce catastrophic damage. Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter says anyone who has the means of doing so needs to get out of the area as soon as possible…
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Calcasieu Sheriff Tony Mancuso has evacuated the parish jail…
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Mancuso says until the storm passes there will be a zero-tolerance policy on illegal behavior, and those arrested will have to ride out the storm and subsequent days in the jail.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he’ll make an announcement today on extending Phase 2 coronavirus restrictions. Phase two sets business capacity at 50-percent requires masks and prohibits on-site consumption at bars. The current phase two order expires on Friday.

Hurricane Laura continues to get stronger as it churns towards the Lousiana-Texas state line. Its maximum sustained winds are at 115 miles per hour, which makes it a Category 3 storm and the National Hurricane Center expects Laura will strengthen into a dangerous Category 4 storm before it makes landfall early Thursday morning.

Calcasieu Parish officials say 70 percent of areas south of I-10 may flood…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The Cajun Navy is mobilizing crews as water rescues will likely be needed in southwest Louisiana. Founder of Cajun Navy Relief Colleen Udell says for those who need assistance, she recommends calling 9-1-1 first, then reach out to the organization…
cut 10 (07) “….help
Udell says those interested in contributing time or other resources to the mission can find information on how to do so at their website, cajunnavyrelief.com.

Laura is also expected to produce storm damage in northwest Louisiana as the center of the storm will move past the Shreveport-Bossier area tomorrow afternoon. A hurricane warning is posted as far north as Desoto, Red River and Natchitoches parishes. Caddo Emergency Preparedness Deputy Director Robert Jump says they could see up to eight inches of rain in isolated areas….
cut 11 (07) “….tough”

Laura is now a major hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 115 miles per hour and it’s expected to keep getting stronger before making landfall early tomorrow morning near the Louisiana-Texas state line. Governor John Bel Edwards says there’s the potential for catastrophic storm surge…
cut 15 (08) “…most pronounced”
Storm surge from Sea Rim State Park to Intracoastal City could get up to 15 feet, which according to local officials would be higher than Hurricane Rita.
Extreme winds and flash flooding is expected as well. Calcasieu Parish has called for a mandatory evacuation. Sheriff Tony Mancuso…
cut 7 (09) “….help you”
As of seven AM, Laura was 280 miles south-southeast of Lake Charles.

Damage from Hurricane Laura will not just be contained to southwest Louisiana. The National Hurricane Center predicts Laura will be a tropical storm in northwest Louisiana tomorrow afternoon. Matt Doyle has more…
cut 2 (25) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Over 400,000 Louisianans will receive federally boosted unemployment benefits today, a 900 dollar payment retroactive to August 1st. But Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Dejoie says about 87,000 unemployed do not qualify, the main reason is that they do not earn enough in-state benefits.
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Hurricane Laura has intensified quickly into a strong Category Two hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 110 miles per hour. Forecasters say Laura will develop into a powerful Category Four storm before making landfall as a major storm early tomorrow morning. Landfall is still expected near the Texas-Louisiana state line and Governor Edwards is watching the track of the storm, to see if it keeps nudging to the east…
cut 14 (07) “…even further”
A mandatory evacuation has been called for Calcasieu Parish. Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter says it is likely the area will see severe damage to critical infrastructure…
cut 5 (11) “…services”

Cajun Navy Relief is activating its team of volunteers to assist in rescues, recoveries, and clean up from Hurricane Laura. From boat crews to chainsaw crews, founder of Cajun Navy Relief Colleen Udell says it’s all hands on deck.
Cut 8 (07) “…as we speak.”
Udell says COVID-19 spread mitigation efforts will be implemented into their operations.

Governor Edwards encourages residents in the path of the storm to be where they will ride out the storm by noon today. Because of COVID-19 there’s a concern about putting a bunch of people in a shelter, but the state has booked hundreds of rooms at hotels and motels for sheltering needs.
Cut 16 (08) “…appreciative of that.”
The state is also helping to coordinate transportation needs for those who are unable to get out of southwest Louisiana on their own means.

Southwest Louisiana and southeast Texas are bracing for the impact of a Category 3 hurricane with the landfall of Laura around 1 AM Thursday morning. Governor John Bel Edwards says while the forecast has remained pretty consistent, the forecasted track has taken a slight shift to the east.

Cut 14 (07) “…Louisiana even further.”

Edwards says the storm continues to show parallels to Hurricane Rita in 2005. Edwards encourages residents to be where they will ride out the storm by noon today. Edwards says for the first time, the state is focusing on pre-landfall non-congregant shelter and has booked hundreds of rooms at hotels and motels for sheltering needs.

Cut 16 (08) “…appreciative of that.” 

Governor Edwards will be extending Phase 2 restrictions but for how long is uncertain at this time.   The order keeps most businesses at 50% capacity, bars closed, and masks mandatory.  Edwards says several factors contribute to the decision, including the return to campus for K-12 schools and colleges.

Cut 9 (11) “…in the hospital.”

The current order is set to expire on Friday and Edwards says he expects to make the new proclamation tomorrow.

Over 400,000 Louisianans will receive federally boosted unemployment benefits tomorrow, a 900 dollar payment retroactive to August 1^st. But Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Dejoie says about 87,000 unemployed will not qualify, most of them because they don’t earn enough in-state benefits.

Cut 7 (10) “…plus up.”

Hurricane Laura is moving through the Gulf of Mexico with the southwest Louisiana, southeast Texas coastline in the crosshairs. Wind speeds at landfall are expected to surpass 100-miles per hour. The storm is expected to keep moving north at landfall and remain a hurricane Thursday night in northwest Louisiana. Caddo Emergency Preparedness Deputy Director Robert Jump says it is a highly unusual situation that far inland, and people need to prepare…

Cut 25 (10) “ high gusts”

Laura has been compared to Hurricane Rita, which caused massive damage in Cameron Parish. Cameron Assistant Emergency Preparedness Director Ashley Buller says Rita is still fresh in the mind for many Cameron residents…
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Cameron Parish is under a mandatory evacuation and Buller says many residents started leaving over the weekend.

300-dollar federally boosted unemployment benefits resume tomorrow with a 900-dollar check that will be retroactive to August 1^st. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (26) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

Governor Edwards will be extending Phase 2 restrictions but for how long is uncertain at this time.   Edwards says while the state has seen modest gains, the White House Coronavirus Task Force still believes Louisiana’s COVID metrics are a major concern.

Cut 11 (12) “…expressed some concerns.”

The current order is set to expire on Friday.