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• Hurricanes offer lessons for builders

  March 25, 2013 1:17 PM

  NEW ORLEANS- Builders examining the lessons from Hurricane Sandy say their findings after the October storm closely track the disaster of Hurricane Katrina seven years earlier. Elevating generators and pumps is a good idea, but enclosing elevated foundations that might be hit by waves or wave-borne debris may be a... more »

• Congress passes $50.5B Superstorm Sandy aid bill

  January 28, 2013 5:46 PM

  WASHINGTON - Congress is sending a $50.5 billion emergency relief measure for Superstorm Sandy victims to President Barack Obama for his signature. The Senate on Monday cleared the bill, 62-36. Northeast lawmakers say the money is desperately needed to help recovery efforts from the one of the region's worst storms.... more »

• Senate Dems offer Sandy disaster aid package

  December 12, 2012 3:56 PM

  WASHINGTON - Senate Democrats have quickly cobbled together a $60.4 billion disaster aid package for New York, New Jersey and other states hit by Superstorm Sandy in late October. Working from the emergency spending request President Barack Obama made five days ago, the Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday released draft... more »

• Weather Service looks at hurricane warnings

  December 5, 2012 9:57 PM

  MIAMI - The National Weather Service is considering changing how it issues hurricane watches and warnings. Spokesman Chris Vaccaro said in an email Wednesday the weather service is considering a proposal to issue watches and warnings for storms that threaten life and property even if they are no longer hurricanes... more »

• FEMA makes push to connect with storm victims in LA

  November 27, 2012 10:01 PM

  BATON ROUGE- People recovering from Hurricane Isaac can try to get more help from FEMA. The agency said Tuesday it has more assistance available. $530,000 has been added to the relief money for thousands of storm victims. FEMA also said it is making follow-up calls and some home visits.... more »

• NJ storm victims finding lost mementos online

  November 23, 2012 6:47 PM

  NEWARK, N.J. - New Jersey residents devastated by Superstorm Sandy are being reunited with lost photographs and objects through social media. There are at least four Facebook pages targeted to New Jersey residents that help connect them with their possessions. People who find lost mementos can post photos of them... more »

• What does it take to get people to flee a storm?

  November 14, 2012 2:03 PM

  NEW YORK - In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, emergency officials are taking another look at a problem that has bedeviled them for a long time: how to get people to comply when they are ordered to evacuate their homes. Despite dire forecasts and explicit warnings, hundreds of thousands of... more »

• La. troopers giving a hand in NJ

  November 5, 2012 10:28 AM

  TRENTON, N.J. - Eight states are lending law enforcement power to New Jersey in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. Attorney General Jeff Chiesa swore in more than 200 out-of-state troopers Monday. The troopers, who are on loan from as far away as Mississippi, will handle security checkpoints and conduct patrols... more »

• New estimate for economic damage from storm: $50B

  November 1, 2012 10:23 AM

  NEW YORK - The total economic damage from Superstorm Sandy could run as high as $50 billion, according to new estimates from the forecasting firm Eqecat. The new numbers are more than double the firm's previous estimate. Eqecat said Thursday that its new estimate for economic losses is between... more »

• Obama, Christie view damage from Sandy

  October 31, 2012 1:23 PM

  ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - President Barack Obama and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie have begun an hour-long aerial tour of New Jersey hurricane damage aboard Obama's Marine One helicopter. Obama flew to New Jersey today for a first-hand look at the devastation from the storm. He's officially away from the... more »

• Sandy's death toll climbs

  October 30, 2012 12:29 PM

  NEW YORK - The number of dead from the superstorm that struck the Northeast has climbed to 34 -- with many of the victims killed by falling trees. At least 7.4 million people are without power. Lower Manhattan was among the hardest-hit areas after the storm sent a nearly 14-foot... more »

• Tropical Storm Sandy forms south of Jamaica

  October 22, 2012 5:19 PM

  MIAMI - Tropical Storm Sandy has formed south of Jamaica and forecasters say the storm is expected to strengthen. The National Hurricane Center in Miami said Sandy was about 395 miles (636 kilometers) south of Kingston, Jamaica, and had winds of 40 mph (64 kph). It is expected to head... more »

• Tropical depression forms south of Jamaica

  October 22, 2012 10:32 AM

  MIAMI - A tropical depression has formed south of Jamaica and forecasters say it will likely strengthen into a named storm. The National Hurricane Center in Miami said Monday the depression was about 320 miles (515 kilometers) south of Kingston, Jamaica, and had winds of 30 mph (48 kph). It... more »

• LDWF approves shorter deer season due to Isaac

  October 8, 2012 10:39 AM

  BATON ROUGE - State wildlife officials approved cutting hunting seasons in parts of Louisiana short because of Hurricane Isaac's effects on the deer population. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries said flooding in Lake Maurepas Basin caused some adult deer to die, but wiped out an estimated 90... more »

• Fewer than 10,000 without power

  September 6, 2012 3:53 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - Entergy Corp. says fewer than 10,000 people in Louisiana still had power outages as of Thursday afternoon. Entergy customers made up more than 700,000 of the more than 900,000 who lost power after Isaac hit the state last week. The corporation said Thursday on its website that... more »

• Debris pickup to start Monday in Ascension Parish

  September 5, 2012 4:21 PM

  GONZALES - Ascension Parish leaders announced storm debris pickup after Hurricane Isaac would start on Monday. Parish engineers asked that people put out "vegetative debris" in front of their homes for pick up first, and put other debris in a separate pile to be picked up later. Debris piles... more »

• Ferry service restarts in St. John parish

  September 3, 2012 4:16 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Ferry operations in St. John the Baptist Parish have resumed. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development said the Edgard/Reserve ferry reopened Monday across the Mississippi River in the parish that had severe flooding in some areas from Hurricane Isaac. Operating hours are 5 a.m. to 9... more »

• La. asks for grant to pay unemployed for cleanup

  September 3, 2012 3:33 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The state Workforce Commission asked the U. S. Department of Labor for $3.35 million to pay unemployed people to to do cleanup work from Hurricane Isaac. The National Emergency Grant application would pay for work in 20 parishes, as well as other career counseling and assessment... more »

• Debris collection begins in East Baton Rouge

  September 3, 2012 10:45 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Crews began collecting storm debris today from Hurricane Isaac's passage near East Baton Rouge Parish. City-parish workers said collection would start in the 70815 and 70805 ZIP codes today. People should remember to keep woody debris like limbs and branches separate from other storm debris.... more »

• 3,000 being rescued, evacuated from LaPlace

  August 29, 2012 8:30 PM

  LAPLACE - Emergency resources were moved to St. John the Baptist Parish to rescue 3,000 people trapped there because of flooding in the wake of tropical storm Isaac, which was a hurricane when it passed through. The governor's office said storm surge from Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas caused... more »

• Curfew going into effect for EBR tonight

  August 29, 2012 4:52 PM

  BATON ROUGE - City-parish authorities announced a curfew for East Baton Rouge Parish tonight. EBR Mayor-President Kip Holden said the curfew would last from 6 p.m. tonight to 6 a.m. Thursday. Baton Rouge Police Chief Dewayne White said this curfew was "needed" with the amount of damage that... more »

• Isaac weakens to tropical storm as it crosses La.

  August 29, 2012 2:13 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - Isaac is losing some of its strength and has been downgraded to a tropical storm as it trudges inland over Louisiana. Isaac has top sustained winds of 70 mph, just below the hurricane threshold of 74 mph. The storm is about 50 miles west-southwest of New Orleans,... more »

• People moving out ahead of Isaac Play Video

  August 27, 2012 11:08 PM

  BATON ROUGE - People living in lower lying areas have already started evacuating out of an abundance of caution. In Livingston Parish, shelters set up on Monday began housing people, And in Tangipahoa Parish a mandatory evacuation for the southern most part of the parish prompted people to move. ... more »

• BTR: Flights expected to be delayed, canceled

  August 27, 2012 4:31 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Airport officials in Baton Rouge said travelers should expect several delays and cancellations over the next couple of days due to tropical storm Isaac. Jim Caldwell with Baton Rouge Metro Airport said all flights leaving the city-parish Tuesday would likely procede normally. However, he said flights... more »

• Obama declares emergency in Louisiana

  August 27, 2012 4:13 PM

  WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama has declared a state of emergency in Louisiana as that state prepares for Tropical Storm Isaac. The White House said Obama informed Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal of the emergency declaration in a phone call Monday. The declaration makes federal funding available for emergency activities related... more »

• State government offices to close in 22 parishes

  August 27, 2012 3:29 PM

  BATON ROUGE - State government offices across 22 parishes will shut down Tuesday and Wednesday because of Tropical Storm Isaac, expected to grow into a hurricane. Commissioner of Administration Paul Rainwater on Monday announced the closures, which cover parishes in the tropical storm warning, hurricane watch and hurricane warning areas.... more »

• Tolls suspended on 2 bridges for Isaac

  August 27, 2012 10:29 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - State transportation officials say toll collection is being suspended on two major bridges in south Louisiana. The suspension affects the Louisiana Highway 1 bridge, an evacuation route for the Grand Isle and Port Fourchon areas along the coast, and the Crescent City Connection, which links the New... more »

• Isaac stalling elected officials' GOP travel plans

  August 27, 2012 10:25 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana's Republican elected officials are scrapping or delaying Florida travel plans for the GOP's national convention. Some who had arrived in Tampa quickly turned around and headed home to wait for Tropical Storm Isaac. Gov. Bobby Jindal hasn't officially canceled his plans to speak at the convention,... more »

• Rigs, platforms evacuate Gulf ahead of Isaac

  August 26, 2012 5:10 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - The federal government says oil and gas operators are evacuating offshore platforms and rigs that could wind up in Tropical Storm Isaac's path through the Gulf of Mexico. Isaac is expected to become a Category 2 hurricane before making landfall late Tuesday or early Wednesday. The bureau... more »

• Jindal may skip GOP convention because of Isaac

  August 26, 2012 4:53 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal says he's considering skipping his speaking engagement at Republican National Convention because of Tropical Storm Isaac. Jindal said at a news conference Sunday afternoon that he wouldn't leave his state while it's threatened by the storm. Around the time he spoke, a hurricane... more »

• Tropical Storm Isaac forms; Fla. may be in track

  August 21, 2012 6:01 PM

  MIAMI - Forecasters say Tropical Storm Isaac has formed in the Atlantic with a track that could possibly take it toward Florida where the Republican National Convention will be held next week. Storm warnings have been issued Tuesday across a swath of islands in the Caribbean including Martinique, Guadeloupe and... more »

• Report shows challenges for Miss. port

  August 7, 2012 10:56 AM

  GULFPORT, Miss. - A report says the Port of Gulfport faces numerous challenges as it tries to capitalize on $570 million in federal money it was given after Hurricane Katrina. A report dated July 30 says the 36-foot channel depth limits the vessels that can use the port. Other challenges... more »

• Tropical Storm Ernesto forms off Caribbean

  August 2, 2012 3:58 PM

  MIAMI - Forecasters say Tropical Storm Ernesto has formed in the Atlantic and is speeding toward a chain of small, popular vacation islands in the Caribbean Sea. The National Hurricane Center in Miami said Thursday afternoon that the storm is headed west at about 22 mph (35 kph) toward the... more »

• Tropical depression forms in Atlantic

  August 1, 2012 4:55 PM

  MIAM - Forecasters say a tropical depression has formed off the Windward Islands in the Atlantic Ocean and storm watches have been issued for the islands of Barbados, Dominica, Martinique and St. Lucia among other places. The National Hurricane Center in Miami said Wednesday afternoon that maximum sustained winds are... more »

• La. volunteers ready to assist after Debby

  June 25, 2012 2:52 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A spokesperson for the Red Cross chapter in Baton Rouge said their volunteers are ready to assist Louisiana's neighbors affected by Tropical Storm Debby. Nancy Malone said they met with state and parish officials and others in the Red Cross network to also check Louisiana's preparations... more »

• "Eyeballing the Eyewall...."

  May 30, 2012 5:58 PM

  In a hurricane, eyewall replacement cycles occur when a second eyewall forms around the original and gradually overtakes it. An eyewall is an organized band of clouds surrounding the center or eye of a hurricane. This is where the most intense winds and rainfall occur and the replacement cycle is... more »

• Good Bye La Nina

  May 3, 2012 7:26 PM

  Forecasters say the La Nina weather pattern is over and they say that's good news for the drought in the Southern U.S. and hurricanes along the coasts. The two year La Nina period was caused by mild cooling of the central Pacific Ocean and its greatest effects are in winter.... more »

• Goodbye La Nina: Will drought, hurricanes also go?

  May 3, 2012 12:33 PM

  WASHINGTON - The La Nina weather phenomenon is over. Forecasters say that's good news for the drought in the South and hurricane areas along the coasts. The National Weather Service pronounced the two-year La Nina finished on Thursday. La Nina is the flip side of El Nino and is caused... more »

• NCAA confirms investigation at Miami

  August 17, 2011 12:39 PM

  CORAL GABLES, Fla. - The NCAA says it has been investigating the relationship between a convicted Ponzi scheme artist and the University of Miami for five months, saying the allegations - if true - show the need for "serious and fundamental change" in college sports. The investigation is focused... more »

• State begins first phase of oyster rehab effort

  June 3, 2011 5:35 AM

  BATON ROUGE- State biologists and scientists have deployed more than 100 million oyster larvae and 500,000 oyster spat to help rehabilitate oyster grounds affected by hurricanes in the last six years. The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries said Thursday the larvae and immature oysters were released in the Hackberry... more »

• Hurricane names Igor, Tomas retired

  March 18, 2011 2:35 PM

  WASHINGTON- Hurricanes Igor and Tomas are no longer a threat. The World Meteorological Organization has retired the two names from those used in 2010 because of the damage they caused. Names are retired from time to time to avoid confusion. There are six lists of hurricane names... more »

• Housing aid extended for Ike, Gustav victims

  February 19, 2011 9:48 AM

  NEW ORLEANS- Federal officials are extending disaster housing aid for victims of hurricane Ike and Gustav by five months. The extension, announced Friday, will help about 1,743 families in Louisiana. The victims have been receiving disaster aid since the hurricanes hit in the fall of 2008. The rental assistance... more »

• Terrebonne Parish demolishing storm-hit homes

  December 12, 2010 12:54 PM

  HOUMA, La.- Terrebonne Parish is planning to demolish about 450 hurricane-damaged homes, mostly in low-lying bayou communities. Parish officials said the structures will be torn down this spring because they are in such dilapidated condition that they pose a threat during future storms. Many of the homes were flooded... more »

• US escapes major hurricanes for 5th straight year

  November 29, 2010 3:28 PM

  MIAMI - A busy Atlantic hurricane season ends Tuesday and the U.S. has been spared any major storms for a fifth straight year. All told, 19 named storms formed in the Atlantic, the third-highest total on record, and 12 became hurricanes, the second-highest total on record. In the... more »

• 17 families get extra time in FEMA trailers

  November 12, 2010 11:45 AM

  GALVESTON, Tx - The City Council approved a plan that allows 17 families still living in government-provided mobile homes since 2008's Hurricane Ike to stay in the temporary housing. The trailers will be handed over to a non-profit group who will be responsible for the management of the group of... more »

• Road Home program for storm shutters to begin

  October 19, 2010 5:10 AM

  Homeowners who did not receive the maximum Road Home grant award will soon be able to apply for $7,500 to install storm shutters and other defenses on their homes to protect against hurricanes. This week, letters will be sent to homeowners telling them how they can apply for the grant.... more »

• Forecasters: Hurricanes' effect on oil unclear

  August 4, 2010 11:27 AM

  Colorado State University forecasters say a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico could affect the direction of the oil spill, but they say little is known about the interaction between storms and oil. Forecasters Phil Klotzbach and William Gray said Wednesday if a hurricane goes west of the spill,... more »

• Woman pleads guilty to fraud in disaster aid case

  June 24, 2010 6:35 AM

  A 33-year-old Tickfaw woman has pleaded guilty to a one-count bill of information charging her with mail fraud linked to aid she received after the 2005 hurricanes. Shari Wheeler entered the plea and admitted to applying for American Red Cross aid 13 times getting $10,995. Wheeler faces up to 20... more »

• Federal scientists predict at least eight Atlantic hurricanes

  May 27, 2010 10:12 AM

  Federal scientists predict there will be 14 to 23 tropical storms in the Atlantic basin. They say at least eight of those will be hurricanes. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts that three to seven of those storm will reach Category 3 or higher. The hurricane season... more »

• Twitter crucial for GOHSEP

  May 26, 2010 8:01 PM

  Twitter has become a popular way to keep in touch with friends and the latest news and now it can be used during an emergency thanks to the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. Tweeting under the name @GOHSEP, the crew at the Joint Information Center spends all... more »

• Cameron Parish library to reopen

  April 29, 2010 8:57 AM

  The twice-stormravaged Cameron Parish library will reopen on Monday. Since Hurricane Ike swamped the parish in 2008, the town's library consisted of two parked bookmobiles. Before that, Hurricane Rita destroyed four of the library system's branches and damaged another. The new library branch has been open for a couple of... more »

• State changes rules for GO Zone projects

  April 15, 2010 9:34 AM

  Changes have been made to the state's rules for developers borrowing money through the federal Gulf Opportunity Zone Act. The cap on GO Zone borrowing approval was raised from $100 million to $250 million, and developers will have to tap the money within 90 days - as opposed to the... more »

• La. will get $81.4 Million for roads damaged by hurricanes

  April 14, 2010 12:11 PM

  The Department of Transportation and Development announced Wednesday that $81.4 million in emergency federal funds will be used to fix damage to highways by hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike. Most of the money will go to repair damage from Katrina and Rita. The money is allocated to state... more »

• Feds say homes with Chinese drywall must be gutted

  April 2, 2010 12:30 PM

  New federal guidelines say thousands of U.S. homes tainted by Chinese drywall won't be safe unless they are completely gutted. The Consumer Product Safety Commission released the guidelines Friday. They say electrical wiring, outlets, circuit breakers, fire alarm systems, carbon monoxide alarms, fire sprinklers, gas pipes and drywall... more »

• $1 million for school libraries

  January 23, 2010 2:17 PM

  One million dollars will go to schools libraries damaged by hurricanes. The grant is part of the Laura Bush Foundation and its Gulf Coast School Library Recover Initiative. Funding will go to 24 school libraries in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Texas that were damaged by the Gulf Coast... more »

• Colorado hurricane team says its '09 forecast was high

  November 19, 2009 9:56 AM

  Colorado-based weather researchers said three hurricanes formed in the Atlantic this year, two fewer than they predicted before the season and one less than their August update called for. Colorado State University researchers William Gray and Phil Klotzbach said Thursday their preseason forecasts called for 11 named storms, including... more »

• New study says more hurricanes are hitting, but not as strong

  September 24, 2009 5:29 AM

  A new study by researchers at Clemson University and Mississippi State said that between 1851 and 2008 the number of hurricanes in the North Atlantic increased, but the severity of the storms has not. Their conclusions were based on statistical analysis and available records and they contradicted research that... more »

• State animal response team gets emergency vehicle

  September 18, 2009 6:25 AM

  Louisiana's Animal Response Team has acquired an animal emergency response vehicle, a heavy duty truck and 36-foot long trailer to use in disasters like hurricanes, floods and tornadoes. LSART plans to use the vehicle as an operations command center or a mobile veterinary clinic during emergencies. Officials unveil... more »

• Citizens Insurance Suit

  August 19, 2009 4:37 PM

  Many of you may be required to help pay a $95 million judgement against the Louisiana run, Citizens Insurance program. Citizens provides coverage for property owners denied by private companies. Victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita filed a class action suit saying there were delays in processing their claims.... more »