Thousands of flood victims are still in shelters, and many more are staying with family and friends. Governor John Bel Edwards says his office and other agencies are developing a strategy for housing these people in the immediate and distant future. He says it’s too early to know exactly what that plan will look like…:
CUT 9 (08) “the same”

Celtic Media Studios in Baton Rouge opened their doors to thousands of people who were forced out of their homes after the devastating storm. Director of Studio Operations Patrick Mulhearn says the lull in the film industry actually turned out to be a blessing…:
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Mulhearn says Saturday night the population of Celtic was zero and Sunday afternoon the population was about 4-thousand people.

In St. James Parish, residents are scrambling to sandbag homes as the concern of backwater flooding into the rising Blind River remains high this week.

The Department of Children and Family Services is advising flood victims to pre-register for disaster food stamps. If you experienced loss or damage from the floods, you can apply online at D-C-F-S-dot-L-A-dot-gov-slash-preregister (dcfs.la.gov/preregister) or call 1-888-LA-HELP-U. DCFS Deputy Assistant Secretary Sammy Guillory says pre-qualifying will make it easier for enrollees receive their emergency food stamps, once D-SNAP application sites open…:
CUT 3 (07) “the process”
He says says DSNAP benefits will be available once the state gets approval from the federal government.

Close to 15,000 Entergy customers in South Louisiana remain without power. DEMCO has about 9,000 without lights.

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.

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…:
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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…:
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He says people who want to help, can register at VolunteerLouisiana.gov.

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…:
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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…:
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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…:
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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.

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…:
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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…:
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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.

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…:
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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:
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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…:
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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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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