Governor John Bel Edwards says 1,120 disaster victims sheltered in Louisiana last night, and 876 were Texans. He says a thousand Louisiana national guardsmen are assisting in search and rescue operations…:

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He says the state is planning to take at least an additional 3,000 people from Texas today.

South Louisiana residents are helping Texas disaster victims, after the region was spared any major destruction from Harvey. Congressman Clay Higgins says we are adept at dealing with disasters, and those skills are being put to good use in shelter and as rescue operations.

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More people are purchasing flood insurance in Louisiana in the wake of historic flooding. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says these super storms will certainly send a strong message to homeowners about the importance of getting flood coverage for their homes.

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The number of insured properties in Baton Rouge and Lafayette has reached 23 percent, up from 12 a year ago.

The state Department of Agriculture and Forestry has deployed their mobile pet shelter in Lake Charles to assist with Harvey evacuations. Commissioner Mike Strain says they will do whatever they can to ensure pets are safe, while their owners are coping with the disaster. He says currently they have 86 pets in their care.

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The department has 100 kennels in Lake Charles.

Although southwest Louisiana was spared from much of Harvey’s destruction, Congressman Clay Higgins says his district is still feeling the impact of the storm. Michelle Southern has more…
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Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso has called for a voluntary evacuation of the western part of the parish.This area is from Highway 109 west to the Sabine River and north from I-10 to the Calcasieu Parish Line.

State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is reminding residents of the importance of flood insurance especially after the massive distruction left behind from Harvey. Donelon says these super storms will certainly send a strong message to homeowners.
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Donelon says a significant amount of claims made in Louisiana with the National Flood Insurance Program have been filed in areas that do not see flooding on a regular basis.

Now with Tropical Depression Harvey making its way out of the state, forecasters are now monitoring the southwestern Gulf of Mexico where an area of low pressure could form by the weekend. Andy Tingler with the National Weather Service says advisories have also been issued for Hurricane Irma which located over the eastern Atlantic Ocean.
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Congressman Clay Higgins of Louisiana’s 3rd District says his constituents continue to feel the impacts of Harvey, as residents are taking part in rescue and shelter operations. Although much of Acadiana was spared the destruction seen in Texas, Higgins says it’s all hands on deck in south Louisiana…:
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Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard and 20 of his deputies are headed out to assist in Port Arthur, Texas which is almost completely under water.

The Louisiana Department of Ag is assisting in moving pets that have arrived with their owners to seek shelter in Louisiana. Texas evacuees began moving from Lake Charles to the Alexandria shelter overnight. The LDAF mobile pet shelter is in Lake Charles this morning to continue to assist in transporting to Alexandria pets that escaped the flood waters with their owners.

State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is pushing the importance of flood insurance, especially after the severe flood damage left by Harvey. Donelon says the sad thing is, it usually takes a horrific storm that caused the South Louisiana floods for homeowners to take action…:
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In Harvey’s wake, Donelon predicts many Texans will face the harsh reality of recovery depending solely on disaster money.

Congress will be tasked with reauthorizing the National Flood Insurance Program once lawmakers reconvene in September. This has become an even bigger priority as hundreds of thousands of homeowners cope with the flood waters left by Harvey. US Senator John Kennedy says virtually no one in the country today is immune from flooding, no matter where you live…:
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The Louisiana National Guard continues to help with rescue efforts in Texas as flood waters have not yet receded. Col. Ed Bush says they are all about the spirit of helping, which is why soldiers join the guard. He says the number of Louisiana guardsmen in Texas will continue to grow and they’ll be there as long as it takes.
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Just as Harvey is finally moving out of the Gulf, forecasters are watching a tropical disturbance near southern Mexico. Andy Tingler with the National Weather Service says there is a small chance this could develop into a tropical storm or depression in the next five days.
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Tropical Storm Irma is also gaining strength in the Atlantic and is located off the coast of Africa.

Although Harvey has moved out of the area, the needs will be ongoing for some time and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser urges Louisianians to volunteer to assist our neighbors to the west. He says it helps the disaster victims to know they aren’t alone during this difficult time.
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Visit volunteerlouisiana.gov for more information.

When lawmakers reconvene in September, Congress will be tasked with reauthorizing the National Flood Insurance Program. This is now an even bigger priority given the devastation left by Harvey. US Senator John Kennedy says homeowner’s insurance only covers things like wind damage and fires, not flooding.
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Members of the Louisiana National Guard continue to help with search and rescue efforts in Texas, as flood waters will not recede for some time. Col. Ed Bush says hundreds of rescues have already been conducted, and many Texans are now in shelters in Lake Charles. He says it’s been a combined effort of both Texas and Louisiana authorities to get help to the people that need it:
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Tropical Depression Harvey is currently located in northeast Louisiana. Andy Tingler with the National Weather Service says rainfall totals in Louisiana along the Texas border reached over 30 inches from the storm…:
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He says now they are watching another disturbance near southern Mexico, and Tropical Storm Irma off the western coast of Africa.

Reauthorizing the National Flood Insurance Program will be a top priority for federal lawmakers when congress reconvenes in September…:
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Louisianans who want to help with the Harvey relief efforts both in Texas and Louisiana can find ways to give at VolunteerLouisiana.gov. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says many Texans came to the aid of the Bayou State during last year’s historic floods, and this is our chance to give back…:
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Just as Harvey is leaving the Gulf, a disturbance along the Mexican coast is developing. Emelie Gunn has more…:
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The Livingston Parish sheriff and 20 of his deputies, along with volunteers, are traveling to Port Arthur, Texas, to assist in flood rescues and recovery. According to the National Hurricane Center, the threat of heavy rains has ended for the Houston and Galveston areas, but “life-threatening” flooding will continue in and around Houston, Beaumont, Port Arthur and southwest Louisiana.

Louisianans who want to help with the Harvey relief efforts both in Texas and Louisiana can find ways to give at VolunteerLouisiana.gov. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says thousands have already signed up to give their time and resources to those in need…:
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He says many Texans came to the aid of the Bayou State during last year’s historic floods, and this is our chance to give back.

Congress will be tasked with reauthorizing the National Flood Insurance Program once lawmakers reconvene in September. This has become an even bigger priority as hundreds of thousands of homeowners cope with the flood waters left by Harvey. US Senator John Kennedy says virtually no one in the country today is immune from flooding, no matter where you live…:
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The NFIP must be reauthorized before it expires on September 30.

Louisianans are doing everything they can to help our neighbors in Texas with the ongoing Harvey relief efforts…:
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The LSU AgCenter mega shelter in Alexandria opened to take in Texas survivors from Tropical Storm Harvey. The shelter is staffed by the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services.

The governor traveled to the Louisiana-Texas boarder Wednesday to meet with first responders assisting with water rescues. He will give his daily update once again this afternoon at 12:30.

Now with Tropical Depression Harvey making its way out of the state, forecasters are now monitoring the southwestern Gulf of Mexico where an area of low pressure could form by the weekend. Advisories have also been issued on Tropical Storm Irma which located over the eastern Atlantic Ocean..:
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That’s Andy Tingler with the National Weather Service.

With flooding from Harvey still wreaking havoc on parts of Southeast Texas, many say Congress is all but certain to extend a federal flood insurance program set to expire next month. US Senator John Kennedy has introduced legislation that would reauthorize the NFIP for 6 years. He says it would also cap premium increases at a lower level than the law currently allows:
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Harvey is finally moving out of Gulf Coast, but forecasters are now keeping an eye on a tropical disturbance near southern Mexico. Andy Tingler with the National Weather Service says there is a low chance this system could develop into a tropical depression or storm over the next five days…:
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There is also Tropical Storm Irma, which is currently gaining strength in the Atlantic and is located off the western coast of Africa.

Members of the Louisiana National Guard continue to help with search and rescue efforts in Texas, as flood waters will not recede for some time. Col. Ed Bush says it’s a great feeling to be able to help our neighbors in need:
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Congress will be tasked with reauthorizing the National Flood Insurance Program once lawmakers reconvene in September. This has become an even bigger priority as hundreds of thousands of homeowners cope with the flood waters left by Harvey. US Senator John Kennedy says homeowner’s insurance only covers things like wind damage and fires, not flooding…:
Cut 13 (11) “homeowner’s insurance”
The NFIP must be reauthorized before it expires on September 30.

The LSU AgCenter is opening a mega shelter in Alexandria to take in Texas survivors from now Tropical Depression Harvey. The Department of Children and Family services will staff the shelter.

Louisianans who want to help with the Harvey relief efforts both in Texas and Louisiana can find ways to give at VolunteerLouisiana.gov. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says thousands have already signed up to give their time and resources to those in need.

Cut 7 (09) “those Americans rebuild”

Members of the Louisiana National Guard continue to help with search and rescue efforts in Texas, as flood waters will not recede for some time. Col. Ed Bush says it’s a great feeling to be able to help our neighbors in need.

Cut 10 (09) “the favor”

Bush says hundreds of rescues have already been conducted, and many Texans are now in shelters in Lake Charles.

Calcasieu Parish survived Tropical Storm Harvey without any widespread flooding. Sheriff Tony Mancuso says the rural areas on the western side of the parish took on some water, but all things considered, it could have been much worse.

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Ticket sales are underway for the LSU-BYU season opener at the Mercedes Benz Superdome. Fans who purchased tickets for the game in Houston, season ticket holders and students have first priority. LSU Ticket Manager Brian Broussard says the general public can now buying tickets online.

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Ticket prices range from 40-dollars to 250-dollars.

Harvey continues to move across the state at around 8 miles per hour. State Climatologist Barry Keim says fortunately Louisiana has been spared from much of the flooding seen in Texas. He says that’s because the system ingested dry air.
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Keim says the greatest rainfall total from Houston is nearly 52 inches, while the Bayou State has topped out at around 30 inches in extreme southwest Louisiana.

Thousands of homes in Texas are damaged or destroyed by Harvey. Governor John Bel Edwards says based on the reports he’s getting, Louisiana has avoided significant damage…
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But Edwards says we must stay vigilant in Louisiana .

Calcasieu was spared signigicant damage when Tropical Storm Harvey moved across the parish this morning. Don Molino has the story…
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The Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s office is strongly advising residents on the western side of the parish to evacuate. That’s because the Sabine River Authority opened all of the flood gates at Toledo Bend Lake by one foot because of rising waters. The authority says they may continue to raise the gates in one-foot increments to provide a controlled release.