10:30 LRN Newscast August 17th

Based on preliminary estimates, a vast majority of homeowners who flooded did not have flood insurance. Michael Barry with the Insurance Information Institute says these flood victims will seek help from FEMA, but typical FEMA direct assistance payments are around 10-thousand dollars. Barry says there is good news for motorists whose cars were damaged in the flood, if they have comprehensive coverage…
cut 6 (07) “….flood waters”

Attorney General Jeff Landry says if residents see any cases of possible price gouging, they should call their consumer protection hotline. Landry says his office is also working with the online donation website, GoFundMe, to make sure contributions really go to flood victims…
cut 14 (10) “…with them”

While tens of thousands of people have lost everything in the deadly flood, many are coming together to assist in recovery efforts throughout south Louisiana. Halen Doughty has more…
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Halen Doughty”

The Red Cross says the flooding in Louisiana is the worst natural disaster to strike the US since Superstorm Sandy in 2012. They anitcipate that the relief operation will cost at least 30-million dollars. The Red Cross is mobilizing dozens of disaster response vehicles, filled with ready to eat meals.

09:30 Newscast, August 17th, 2016

When in doubt, register with FEMA. That’s what state officials are urging residents who were impacted in some way by the devastating floods in south Louisiana. Sadly, many people who took on water did not have flood insurance because they weren’t in a flood zone. Michael Barry with the Insurance Information Institute says you can register online at disasterassistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA…:
Cut 5 (10) “home repairs”
He says the typical FEMA direct assistance payments are around $10-thousand, depending on the disaster. Survivors in 20 Louisiana parishes may now be eligible for federal disaster assistance.

Many residents with DEMCO are without power in Ascension, East Baton Rouge and Livingston. CLECO has sent crews out to assist with the nearly 10,000 DEMCO customers in the dark. Entergy is reporting 13,000 people are without lights at this time.

The Attorney General’s Office is warning flood victims to watch out for scammers when it comes time to fix up their damaged homes. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 3 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Help for those whose lives have been turned upside down is pouring in. Volunteer Louisiana Executive Director, Judd Jeansonne…:
CUT 12 (09) “to neighbor”
He says people who want to help, can register at VolunteerLouisiana.gov.

 

08:30 Newscast, August 17th, 2016

Over 40-thousand homes were damaged by the floods, and unfortunately, many of them are not insured for flood damage. Jeff Palermo has more…:
CUT 1 (26) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

As residents begin to pick up the pieces, Attorney General Jeff Landry is warning those affected to please be wary of contractors you may not be familiar with. He says victims should check the state’s licensing board’s website…:
CUT 15 (10) “in writing”

Reports of looting have prompted officials to put nightly curfews in place. East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff Sid Gautreaux says several arrests have been made for looting. He says there are entire neighborhoods that are flooded, and police need to monitor those areas for looters…:
Cut 8 (08) “property”
Livingston and Ascension also have curfews in place.

If you’re wondering how you can help your friends and neighbors, Volunteer Louisiana Executive Director, Judd Jeansonne, says they need various types of assistance…:
CUT 11 (12) “clean up”
Jeansonne says people who want to help, can register at VolunteerLouisiana.gov.

The National Hurricane Center has begun issuing advisories on Tropical Depression Six. The storm formed shortly before 10:00 p.m. in the far eastern Atlantic. It has a good chance of becoming a tropical storm in the next two days.

 

07:30 Newscast, August 17th, 2016

The death toll from the devastating flooding in south Louisiana has now climbed to 11. In areas where flood waters are finally receding, search crews have the tall task ahead of a search of every home and business. Meanwhile, curfews are in place in East Baton Rouge, Livingston and Ascension until conditions improve in those parishes. Officials say another reason they want people off the roads when it’s dark out is to prevent looting. There have been several reports of arrests for looting.

Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard says they’ve been working around the clock to help residents, but many of his deputies lost everything in the flood…:
CUT 9 (08) “else is”

About 14,000 Entergy customers remain without power this morning. Most in East Baton Rouge and Livingston. Over 7300 customers with DEMCO are still in the dark.

The Attorney General’s Office is working to make sure flood victims are protected from price gougers and scammers. A-G Jeff Landry says there have been cases in other states, where fraud artists have shown up and identified themselves as FEMA inspectors…:
Cut 13 (10) “not charge”
Landry advises storm victims to make sure all contractors for home repairs are licensed in Louisiana.

There are many people in the region who remained high and dry, and they want to know how they can best help their neighbors. Volunteer Louisiana Executive Director, Judd Jeansonne, asks those who want to assist to please be patient, as many areas are still in the emergency response phase..:
CUT 10 (08) “those communities”
Jeansonne says people who want to help, can register at VolunteerLouisiana.gov.

 

06:30 Newscast, August 17th, 2016

About 75-percent of Louisianans do not have flood insurance, which is bad news for the thousands of homeowners who lost everything in the flood. Michael Barry with the Insurance Information Institute says FEMA assistance will be available for flood victims who live in a parish that are part of the federal disaster declaration, but…:
cut 4 (11) “current location”
He still recommends that people without insurance register their damage with FEMA. You can do that online disasterassistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA.

Curfews are in place in East Baton Rouge, Livingston and Ascension until conditions improve in those parishes. State Police Col. Mike Edmonson law enforcement has also started going door-to-door in flooded areas looking for storm victims:
CUT 7 (08) “be done”
The curfews are also in place to prevent looting.

While tens of thousands of people have lost everything in the deadly flood, many are coming together to assist in recovery efforts throughout south Louisiana. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Twenty parishes have now been declared disasters. Governor John Bel Edwards assures other parishes and victims won’t be forgotten. The flooding event has now claimed the lives of 11 people, according to the state registrar for vital records.

 

18:30 LRN Newscast Aug 16

The number of storm-related fatalities has risen to 11. Governor John Bel Edwards says 40-thousand homes have been impacted, and over 30-thousand people have been rescued. He says search and rescues are still ongoing in some parishes.

Cut 11 (09) “required”

Twenty parishes total have now been declared federal disaster areas.

Livingston parish Sheriff’s deputies have arrested several people on looting charges, and they are reportedly working to keep looters away from homes and businesses. Parish President Layton Ricks says this is the worst flooding Livingston parish has ever seen. But he is hopeful that the community will pull together.

CUT 5 (07)  “through it”

Curfews are in effect for Livingston, East Baton Rouge and Ascension parishes from 10pm until 6 am.

Many flood victims are returning to their homes and finding devastating damage. LSU AgCenter Housing Specialist Claudette Reichel says when you enter your flooded home, make sure the power is turned off, as well as, the gas. She says the next step is to look for structural instability.

CUT 6 (10) “structural damage”

Reichel says residents should make a personal shopping trip before going home to buy protective gear and cleaning supplies.

Director of the Acadia Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Lee Hebert says because they are a very rural community, Acadia only has one open shelter but many flood victims are staying with family and friends. He says they’re praying the waters go down because so many residents have lost everything.

Cut 13 (10)  “bit more”

17:30 LRN Newscast August 16th

Curfews have been put in place in East Baton Rouge, Livingston and Ascension Parishes. There’s been reports of looting in East Baton Rouge and Sheriff Sid Gautreaux says the 10 PM curfew in the capital city is in place to keep everyone safe…
cut 30 (13) “…against you”

Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard says 75-percent of the parish is a total loss. Ard says they face a massive clean-up effort….
cut 25 (09) “…during Katrina”
Ard says between 15 to 20 thousand people had to be rescued from the rising waters in Livingston Parish.

The state registrar for vital records says eleven people have died as a result of the severe flooding, including one fatality in Rapides Parish. Five of the flood-related deaths have occurred in East Baton Rouge Parish. Coroner Doctor Beau Clark says the deaths are labeled as accidental drownings…
cut 15 (11) “storms”
The latest victim to be identified from Baton Rouge is Bill Borne, who was a successful businessman in the health care industry.

Governor John Bel Edwards says 40-thousand storm victims have signed up for government assistance through FEMA as result of the historic flood. Residents from 20 parishes are eligible for this aid as that’s how many have been declared a federal disaster area. Edwards has this message for those seeking help…
cut 10 (09) “…like to”
To register for aid visit disaster-assistance-dot-gov or call 1-800-621-3362.

16:30 LRN Newscasts August 16th

Governor John Bel Edwards says 40-thousand storm victims have signed up for government assistance through FEMA as result of the historic flood. Sixteen parishes were added to the federal disaster declaration today and Edwards says they are looking to add more parishes…
cut 10 (09) “…like to”
To register for aid visit disaster-assistance-dot-gov or call 1-800-621-3362.

Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard said in a Facebook post that 75-percent of the parish is a total loss. Parish President Layton Ricks says this is the worst flooding he’s ever seen and he’s hopeful the community will pull together….
cut 5 (07) “…through it”
The sheriff’s office reports 15 to 20 thousand people had to be rescued from the parish.

A 10 PM curfew has been put in place in East Baton Rouge and Livingston Parishes after authorities in the capital city arrest 10 individuals for looting. EBR Sheriff Sid Gautreaux believes the curfew is needed to make sure residents and first responders stay safe. A curfew of 8 PM is in place in Ascension.

The death toll from the floods has risen to 10 as bodies of two men were discovered in wooded. One accidental drowning victim was discovered in Tangipahoa and the other was in East Baton Rouge Parish.

Acadia Parish is among the 20 parishes declared a federal disaster area. Director of the Acadia Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Lee Hebert says right now they have extensive flooding and they are not in the clear yet…
cut 12 (08) “…the parish (2x)
Hebert says they only have one shelter available in their rural parish.

15:30 LRN Newscast August 16th

The death toll from the south Louisiana floods has reached 10. That’s according to the state registrar for vital records. Five of the victims are from East Baton Rouge. That’s parish’s coroner, Doctor Beau Clark, says the latest victim is 58-year-old William Borne, who is the founder and former CEO of Amedisys in Baton Rouge…
cut 14 (09) “…his home”
Another flooding victim, a 49-year-old male, was discovered near a wooded area in Kentwood.

Governor John Bel Edwards said today they believe at least 40-thousand homes have been impacted by the floods. And he says search and recovery missions are still ongoing in some parishes…
cut 11 (09) “…required”
Edwards says over 30-thousand peopled were rescued from the flooded waters.

Some of the most extensive flood damage has occurred in Livingston Parish. Sheriff Jason Ard says 75-percent of the parish is a total loss. Parish President Layton Ricks says some of their residents are stranded…
cut 4 (09) “…the shelters”
The sheriff’s office also says there have been arrests for looting in their parish.

Many storm victims are starting to begin the process of cleaning up from this historic flood. LSU AgCenter Housing Specalist Claudette Reichel says if your walls got wet, you need to get the saturated insulation out of the walls, because it can cause mold problems and wood rot…
cut 8 (11) “….drying process”
Reichel says it only takes two to three days for mold colonies to begin, so the quicker a homeowner can start the cleanup process, the better.

14:30 LRN Newscast August 16th

The total number of parishes declared a federal disaster area is now 12, as 8 more parishes have been added to the list. Halen Doughty has more…
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Halen Doughty”

75-percent of Livingston parish is a total loss. That’s according Sheriff Jason Ard. Parish President Layton Ricks says there are over 25 shelters to house displaced residents…
cut 3 (10) “…our shelters”
An estimated 20-thousand people had to be rescued from their flooded home.

The death toll from the south Louisiana flooding has reached 10. Five of them have occurred in East Baton Rouge Parish. Coroner Doctor Beau Clark says the deaths are labeled as accidental drownings,…
cut 15 (11) “storm”
The latest person to be identified from Baton Rouge is Bill Borne, founder and former CEO of Amedisys in Baton Rouge.

Most of the focus involving the flooding has been on the Baton Rouge area, but Acadia Parish emergency preparedness director Lee Hebert says their rural parish in southwest Louisiana is dealing with extensive flooding. He says they’re praying for the water to go down, because so many residents lost everything…
cut 13 (10) “…bit more”
Acadia is one of the 12 parishes declared a federal disaster area.