Nearly 900 disaster victims from Texas are taking shelter in Louisiana. That’s according to Governor John Bel Edwards, who says the state is prepared to take in 3,000 more of our neighbors, who can be housed at shelters in Lake Charles, Alexandria, and Shreveport. Edwards urges the public to continue to prepare for potential storms, as hurricane season is far from over. He says right now they are watching Category 3 Hurricane Irma in the Atlantic.

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A team of 10 Baton Rouge area firefighters are heading to Port Arthur, Texas, to assist with the Harvey relief efforts, as the city is reportedly underwater. Task Force 2 consists of seven firefighters from Baton Rouge, two from Hammond, and one from Zachary. The team of trained rescuers will be in Texas for two weeks.

The state department of agriculture is helping with pet evacuations from Texas. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says they have 100 kennels in Lake Charles, and they are preparing for an additional 500 pets in Alexandria. He says donations of dog and cat food are welcome.

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State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is urging Louisiana residents to purchase flood insurance as we’re seeing an uptick of historic flooding events. He says when congress reconvenes next month, he will push for significant changes to the National Flood Insurance Program.

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Governor John Bel Edwards said today that 1,120 people sheltered in Louisiana last night due to displacement from Harvey, and 876 were Texans. As far as impacts to Louisiana, there are roads that are impacted along the Sabine…:
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Edwards says the state is planning to take in at least an additional 3,000 people from Texas today.

State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is pushing the importance of flood insurance, especially after the severe flood damage left by Harvey. Donelon it usually takes a horrific disaster to happen before homeowners listen.
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In Harvey’s wake, Donelon predicts many Texans will face the harsh reality of recovery depending solely on disaster money.

Reauthorizing the National Flood Insurance Program will be a top priority for federal lawmakers when congress reconvenes in September…:
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Congressman Clay Higgins of Louisiana’s 3rd District says 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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Governor John Bel Edwards says Louisiana is sheltering hundreds of evacuees from Texas, and preparing for thousands more. Emelie Gunn reports…:
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Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso has called for a voluntary evacuation of the western part of the parish. Tom Hoefer with the Parish Police Jury says there’s concern the swollen Sabine River will flood…:
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The Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office says a high school teacher is under arrest in Jennings for allegedly having an improper relationship with a student. They say deputies received a complaint about 26-year-old Rachel Gillespie, and an investigation lead detectives to request a warrant. She was booked for indecent behavior with a juvenile.

Congressman Clay Higgins says all hands are on deck in his district three with sending help to flood ravaged Texas. He says the people of south Louisiana are quite adept at dealing with disasters, and this effort with our neighboring state is paying it forward…:
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Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard and 20 of his deputies are headed out to assist in Port Arthur, Texas which was almost completely under water.

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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