Southern states brace for severe weather, including possible tornadoes
A “significant tornado outbreak” is expected to begin Wednesday afternoon across parts of Louisiana and Arkansas before spreading eastward into Mississippi and Alabama, the National Weather Service said.
The highest tornado risk in Louisiana is expected to be in the northeast corner of the state. Tornadoes are possible throughout the state, forecasters said. Large hail also is a threat, particularly in central Louisiana.
Severe thunderstorms and high winds also are possible throughout much of Louisiana, the National Weather Service said. Louisiana’s Governor’s Office of Homeland Security was urging residents to “stay weather aware today and tonight.”
Kennedy: Louisiana getting $19.6M for hurricane relief, another $19.6M for flood elevation
Five Louisiana entities will receive a total of about $19.6 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help deal with the destruction and aftermath of Hurricane Laura, U.S. Sen. John Kennedy announced.
The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury will get almost $10.2 million for debris removal, Jefferson Davis Electric Cooperative will get more than $3.8 million for emergency protective measures, Sulphur will get more than $2.8 million for debris removal, the Louisiana Military Department will get almost $1.7 for emergency protective measures and Beauregard Parish will get more than $1.1 million for debris removal, according to Kennedy’s office.
FEMA also awarded more than $19.6 million to elevate, acquire or support flood mitigation for dozens of properties across Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, St. Tammany, Jefferson and Vermilion parishes, Kennedy’s office said.
2.3% rate hike approved for state-backed property insurer
Commissioner of Insurance Jim Donelon has approved a 2.3% rate hike for Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corp., which insures properties that private insurance companies don’t want to cover.
The increase is in line with inflation rates and indicates stability and appropriate rates in Louisiana’s residential insurance market, Donelon said. Citizens is considered the “market of last resort,” and, by law, its rates must be higher than the private market for home insurance.
“Citizens is currently in a strong financial place despite the multiple hurricanes that hit Louisiana during the last storm season, resulting in a minimal overall increase needed to continue to provide property insurance to Louisiana’s most vulnerable policyholders across the state,” Donelon said.
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