Nicholas made landfall as a Category One Hurricane along the Texas coast during the overnight hours and it threatens to produce flooding rains in Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has the story…
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FEMA is helping out Hurricane Ida storm victims when it comes to generator and chainsaw expenses. More from Dave Brannen.
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Tropical Storm Nicholas is moving slowly inland bringing the threat of rain over the next two says to the Bayou State. Nicholas made landfall early this morning along the southeast Texas coastline and has the potential to cause flooding in southwest Louisiana today. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso says they are prepared in case any residents find themselves in peril.
Mancuso says they also have the National Guard in place to assist with any rescues if needed. While schools and government buildings in the parish are closed today in hopes of keeping motorists off the road today, Mancuso says first responders however are at work and prepared to assist.
Even though it’s extremely tempting to view damage left by a storm, Mancuso highly encourages residents to refrain from sightseeing because vehicle traffic can force water into homes in low-lying areas and that’s when most accidents occur.
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The State Fire Marshal’s Office is prepared to take action if flooding rains from Tropical Storm Nicholas materialize as expected. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrique says the staging of dozens of boats for potential water rescues took place Monday.
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Rodrique says that’s expected to occur first in the Lake Charles area. But, the area of flooding rains is likely to stretch across south Louisiana, so boat teams are prepared to act wherever rescue efforts are needed.
Rodrique says there are numerous assets ready for the call to service as heavy rains from Nicholas sweep across the state.
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Ashley Rodrique says the State Fire Marshal’s Office feels well prepared with other emergency crews to respond to whatever rescues are needed as Nicholas marches east with its likely flooding rains.
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Tropical Storm Nicholas is whipping through southeast Texas, slowly heading towards Louisiana. Nearly the entire the state is seeing rainfall, with south Louisiana experiencing heavier rainfall and stronger storms. Stacey Denson with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles says the center of the storm will not reach the Bayou State until tomorrow.
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And that would be light to moderate rainfall with some heavy pockets of rain now and then, with the potential for localized flooding.
Denson says a flash flood watch is in effect for the southern half of the state…
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Denson says it might not be until Thursday until weather conditions improve.
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There’s help from FEMA available to those who qualify for reimbursement of generator or chainsaw purchases related to Hurricane Ida. Agency spokesman Nate Custer says there are guidelines for say the maximum payout of 800-dollars for a generator.
And, in certain conditions, FEMA will provide a reimbursement of up to 250-dollars for chain saws needed to deal with trees downed blocking access to homes due to Ida.
If FEMA doesn’t approve your request for reimbursement for a generator and/or chainsaw related to Hurricane Ida, agency spokesman Nate Custer says there is an appeal process.
FEMA’s Nate Custer says there are restrictions for a storm victim to get a reimbursement for chainsaw rental or purchase because of Hurricane Ida.
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To qualify for FEMA reimbursements for generators or chainsaws, the purchases have to occur between August 26th and September 25th in the 25 disaster-designated parishes and because the homeowner has insufficient or no insurance.